Get Real November 16 Devotional
November 16, 2024
1 PETER 1:17-18a | 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. 18a For Christ also suffered for sins once for all…
MICAH 6:8 | 8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?
The evil one rejoices when we react to negativity and opposition by becoming aggressive, angry, and defensive. But God’s requirements for our attitudes and behavior do not change: as we seek justice and confront evil, we must still love kindness and act in a humble way. Pride and meanness are always wrong. Many people today use justice seeking as an excuse or rationale to engage in vitriol, character assassination, and even violence and coercion—all justified by the legitimate ends they envision achieving. This can never be the Christ-like way. He established a pattern in which He loved and forgave His opponents. When opponents act in awful ways, the contrast with the restraint and beauty of our response increases the power of our witness. Never forget, ultimate vindication awaits Jesus’ true witnesses. This takes pressure off our need to be vindicated now.
Memorize Micah 6:8. Use it as a checklist for how you are responding to others. Am I walking humbly? Displaying kindness? Seeking justice?
Gracious God,
May my manner with others reflect the kindness and humility of Christ.
Amen.
