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March 1
“Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” – Amos 5:15 NRSV
Hate the evil. That’s pretty easy to do. Cruelty offends us. Injustice drives us to anger. Human suffering increases our sorrow. Of course, we hate the evil that people do.
Love the good. That’s pretty easy to do. Kindness draws us. Self- sacrifice gains our admiration. Cheerful efforts encourage us. Of course, we love the good that people do.
But here’s the problem; I don’t know anyone who is all evil or all good. And here’s another problem; often we stop looking for the good in each other because it seems to count less than the bad.
In 2016, Amnesty International conducted a social experiment styled after psychologist Arthur Aron’s work. Pairs of strangers looked into each other’s eyes for four minutes and felt the close connection of being human.
Maybe when it comes to loving people, we just need to take the time to really look at them until we can see the good. Until we can see that we are just like them.
Hafiz’ poem, “With That Moon Language,” says, “Why not become the one who lives with a full moon in each eye that is always saying, with that sweet moon language, what every other eye in this world is dying to hear?”
Hate the evil but don’t forget about the good. It’s there, in each one of us. God put it there. Look for it. Love the good. Justice will follow.
PRAYER: Loving God, help us to see the evil and the good. And then help us to love each other as you have loved us. Amen.
Joy See
Senior Pastor, Nineteenth Avenue Baptist Church
San Francisco, California
Love, Justice & Relationships
The 2024 Emmanuel McCall Lenten Devotional series is prepared by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship family and friends for the season of Lent. The McCall Lenten series features wonderful reflections on God’s Word, thought-provoking questions, prayers, art, music, noteworthy information and resources for action. Available in English and Spanish, this Lenten resource is intended for use by individuals, small groups and congregations.
Join us as we journey together through Lent reflecting on these devotions and their calls to pursue justice for all of God’s people.
This passage is originally found in the 2024 Emmanuel McCall Lenten Devotional series, prepared by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship family and friends. It is a project of love that is designed to be read during the season of Lent, which begins February 14, 2024. Register to receive the daily devotional here.