Set Apart July 13 Devotional
by David Joynt on July 13, 2024
LEVITICUS 19:17-18 | 17 You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
God commands love! If you think of love as primarily an internal emotion, something spontaneous and generated without thought or intent—think again. Love means, in one sense, cleansing your heart and head of hateful emotions and thoughts. It also means, conversely, being willing to take the risk of correcting, or reproving others when they act in destructive ways. Verse 17 makes us responsible, in a real but limited way, for the behavior of others. Reproof must be loving and criticism helpful, never demeaning. Tit for tat reactions when we are hurt, as well as nursing our wounds until they develop into hardened attitudes, is incompatible with love.
In the end, love of others, love of neighbors near and far, is the best way to reflect God’s will and character. Holiness is more about being like God in positive actions of care and compassion, than it is about a sterile restraint from wrong.
Read Luke 10:25-37 as Jesus’ commentary on our verses from Leviticus.
Gracious God,
What a challenge it is to love neighbors as I do myself. I need Your power and help and also Your forgiveness when I fall short.
Amen.
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