Last updated on October 16th, 2018
In the world today, the wicked call what is evil, good and what is good, evil. God calls all people to seek what is good and hate what is evil. Also we must uphold justice for the wicked and offer mercy to the repentant. I pray this reflection draws you closer to God, brings you abundant life, and helps you seek good.
“14 Seek good, not evil, that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.
15 Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy
on the remnant of Joseph.”
Amos 5:14-15 NIV
Mark 10:17-31 (CEV)
“17 As Jesus was walking down a road, a man ran up to him. He knelt down, and asked, “Good teacher, what can I do to have eternal life?”
18 Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? Only God is good. 19 You know the commandments. ‘Do not murder. Be faithful in marriage. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about others. Do not cheat. Respect your father and mother.’”
20 The man answered, “Teacher, I have obeyed all these commandments since I was a young man.”
21 Jesus looked closely at the man. He liked him and said, “There’s one thing you still need to do. Go sell everything you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come with me.”
22 When the man heard Jesus say this, he went away gloomy and sad because he was very rich.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “It’s hard for rich people to get into God’s kingdom!” 24 The disciples were shocked to hear this. So Jesus told them again, “It’s terribly hard[a] to get into God’s kingdom! 25 In fact, it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God’s kingdom.”
26 Jesus’ disciples were even more amazed. They asked each other, “How can anyone ever be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.”
28 Peter replied, “Remember, we left everything to be your followers!”
29 Jesus told him:
You can be sure that anyone who gives up home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or land for me and for the good news 30 will be rewarded. In this world they will be given a hundred times as many houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and pieces of land, though they will also be mistreated. And in the world to come, they will have eternal life. 31 But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first.”
How do you seek good?
– Love what is good leads to life
• Mark 10:17-19
– Love what is evil leads to suffering and sorrow
• Mark 10:20-22
– Comfortable living should not be our focus, the cost of following Jesus includes sacrificing the things of this world for treasures in heaven
• Mark 10:23-31
How do I need to better seek good?
– How can I seek justice?
– How can I show mercy?
– How can I sacrifice for Jesus more?
Further Resources to help seek good
Seek Justice: American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and First Liberty
Show mercy: Learn more about Flooding and Disaster Preparedness
Sacrifice more for Jesus:
