Amos chapter 5 verse 14 (NIV)
Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.
1 John chapter 3 verse 18 (NlV)
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
The people of Israel had a habit of trying to cover all their options. Even when the Temple stood in Jerusalem, where God had promised to dwell, they still built shrines in hillside around the city. They couldn’t fool God even when they paid lip service at the Temple.
Amos warned them that God knew their hearts and cautioned them to be wholeheartedly in their worship of God. It was not the words of their mouth that He was interested in, but their hearts. Their actions would bear witness to what was really going on in their hearts.
God still expects us to be wholeheartedly following Him. He can tell by our actions how closely we are doing so. More often it’s the combination of words and actions that will influence those we come across. That’s what John was reminding his readers, and it applies to us today more than ever, since it’s often said that we may be the only bible that someone might read. That’s food for thought!
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful that if we faithfully seek You, we will indeed find You. Help me to be single minded in doing so. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.