Hate Evil, Love Good

“Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. 15 Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice...” Amos 5:14-15 NLT

True justice is founded on moral absolutes and can only be served when we understand right from wrong, or good from evil. The prophet Amos appealed to the nation of Israel in a call to repentance; to do what was good and run from evil to secure help from the Lord. The appeal was for leaders to hate evil and love what is good and just.

In the book of Hebrews we see Jesus setting the example how we should react to good and evil. “You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” Hebrews 1:9 NLT. Jesus was motivated by what He did in His ministry on this premise. His love for what was just and good and hatred for evil was revealed through His actions and His character. What we love and hate is a clue to our calling and tells us a lot about our character. Jesus hated sin so He died for sinners. He did something about the sin He hated because it separated us from Him. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT. He loved what was good and just and He displayed His love to save us and redeeming us from eternal judgment.

Love and hate are the strongest motivators in life. Making a list of things we love and the things we hate reveals a lot about who we are and what we are called to do. We are ultimately to love the things God loves and hates the things He hates.

TODAY’S PRAYER 

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus who in His love for justice and hatred of evil saved us from our sins so we could be made right through Him. 

God Bless,

Pastor Matt