Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph
Amos 5:14-15
As I was reading these verses, I was struck by the phrase “Hate the evil, and love the good” in verse 15. A similar phrase, “seek good, and not evil…” is found in the previous verse. You could very easily boil down all of the Christian life into one of those phrases. That is exactly what we are supposed to be doing at all times: loving and seeking good and hating and avoiding evil. Of course, as with all things, the doing of those things is usually a little tougher than the saying of them.
We would all agree that we need to be seeking and loving good. It would be simple to make a list of “good” things that we should be doing, “good” thoughts that we should be thinking, and “good” attitudes that we should be having. The question is, how are we doing on those “good” things? Are we actively seeking out “good” to do? And when we find good that we can do, are we doing it with a “I have to do this because it’s just part of my ‘job’ ” attitude or do we truly love good?
On the flip side, how are we doing at avoiding and hating evil? Maybe through the years we have become somewhat good at avoiding evil, but what is our attitude toward it? Do we see sin and evil as the things that are destroying people and the things that sent our Saviour to the cross? Or do we secretly wish we could be “enjoying” those evil things?
Seek and love good; avoid and hate evil: Christianity 101. How are we doing?
Justified Freely 
Posted by Ann on July 27, 2011 at 10:33 am
Thanks Teacher Ben
(My attempt at being Deb 🙂
Taking notes!! I continue to be amazed at how simple and straightforward He makes the story known – even in the OT. Still then, we seem to have become masters at ignoring the obvious.
Blessings,
ann
Posted by justifiedfreely on July 28, 2011 at 5:43 am
Why thank you. 🙂 We are definitely masters at ignoring the obvious. He makes it very clear throughout the entire Bible and we still miss it half the time!
Posted by Lisa C. on July 27, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Lovely, simple post! I think it’s a good idea to make a list, literally… add that verse to the top, then a few words or phrases underneath and stick it next to my vanity mirror where I will see it every day.
Posted by justifiedfreely on July 28, 2011 at 5:44 am
Thank you. Making an actual list and putting it where you can see it often is a great idea. That would keep the things that we are supposed to be doing right in front of you at all times. I may have to do that myself.