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SAY WHAT?
Hate what is evil but love what is good and do what is just and right in your community.
BREAKDOWN: Growing up I was always told that using the word “hate” wasn’t good because it was such a strong word. However, as time has passed, I realized that sometimes it should be used to help make a point. When I was younger I thought hate worked for saying things like “I hate math or chemistry” (I really didn’t like these subjects).
But in this scripture, Amos is speaking on behalf of God, telling his people that they should hate evil because evil is against God 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’s 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 is 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 preform justice on behalf of those that need it today. God show me today and I will do it. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Greek Word: Justice =Ekdikesis, “ek-dik’-ay-sis”"
Hate what is evil but love what is good and do what is just and right in your community.
BREAKDOWN: Growing up I was always told that using the word “hate” wasn’t good because it was such a strong word. However, as time has passed, I realized that sometimes it should be used to help make a point. When I was younger I thought hate worked for saying things like “I hate math or chemistry” (I really didn’t like these subjects).
But in this scripture, Amos is speaking on behalf of God, telling his people that they should hate evil because evil is against God 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’s 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 is 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 preform justice on behalf of those that need it today. God show me today and I will do it. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Greek Word: Justice =Ekdikesis, “ek-dik’-ay-sis”"
Scripture
About this Plan
Society has it’s own definition of what it means to love and what true love is. However, that definition and God’s definition are very different. This 7-day devotional is designed to take you on a journey through God’s love in both the Old and New Testaments. Each day, a definition of God’s love will be explained through scripture and then defined in everyday language. Let's get started! Go to afterthemusicstops.org for the full length version of this plan.
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