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Hate what is evil but love what is good and do what is just and right in your community.
Break Down: Growing up I was told that the word “hate” wasn’t good because it was such a strong word. However, as time passed, I realized that sometimes it should be used to help make a point.
In our scripture today, Amos is speaking on behalf of God, telling his people that they should hate evil because evil is against and God’s will for their lives. Evil is anything or anyone that is against the goodness of God and what God has intended for His people. Amos says, that we should hate evil, but that we should also love good.
The word “good” in the Hebrew (bwj) can be translated as “good things”, “benefits”, “welfare”, “beautiful” or “pleasant”. We should love what is pleasant and beautiful, but, if we do this, we must also maintain justice in the courts. During Amos’ time the courts were the same as your local community, block or street. He is instructing that God’s people hate evil but love good. One way that we can show that we love what is good is by us maintaining justice in our community.
This means that we can show God’s love by doing what is right not just in our communities, but on our street, our blocks and/or in our schools. Justice is speaking up for those that cannot, doing good for those that need it and speaking up for those that are unable to do so. Love in justice.
Live It Out: Today “be” God’s love by hating what is evil or against God and God’s word by loving what is good and showing someone else justice. How can you do what is right on someone else’s behalf today?
Prayer: Jesus today show me how I can actively hate what is evil and visibly love what is good on Your behalf. Help me to do good, or perform justice on behalf of those that need it today. God show me today and I will do it. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Amos 5:15 Hate evil, and love the good, and establish judgement in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
