“I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies.” Amos 5:21

Love Demands Justice

There are people who claim that they love God and celebrate feasts and offer sacrifices, but neglect justice for the poor; and some others who omit their duties towards God, but are very faithful as social activists. Both these groups cannot satisfy God’s demand for love and justice. That is why He revealed through the prophet, “I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies”; “Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments” (Amos 5:21, 23). The reason why God neglects the worship was based on His demand for justice: “Because they sell the righteous for silver, And the poor for a pair of sandals. They pant after the dust of the earth which is on the head of the poor, And pervert the way of the humble” (Amos 2:6-7). The beloved apostle challenges the hypocrisy of the false believers, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 Jn 4:20). May we love God and do justice to the poor, that is the extension of the love of neighbor. 

 

Abba, thank You for teaching us to abide by Your demand for love and justice. Let Your Spirit help us live as true believers. In Jesus’ Mightiest Name, Amen.