HUNGRY FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
“I hate all your show and pretense—the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”
Amos 5:21-24 (NLT)
Have you ever been accused of hypocrisy? Few things sting like this accusation, especially when we know it’s not accurate or fair to be deemed hypocritical. Part of the reason that particular insult hits so hard is that, on some level, we feel like we actually are hypocrites. We alone know our inner thoughts and private actions. We may publicly purport to follow Christ, but we are intimately acquainted with all the areas where we fail.
In this passage, it’s God who is accusing His people of hypocrisy. He sees their religious gatherings and recognizes that they’re only surface-level. He rejects the offerings of those whose hearts, in truth, are far from Him. Even their worship songs are rejected. Why? Because they are hypocritically offered. What was true thousands of years ago when this was written is still true today: God is not interested in a show. He’s not impressed with religious posturing or your ability to speak fluent Christian-ese. Just showing up on a Sunday and going through the motions is not what we’re called to.
God is interested in our hearts and minds being transformed. When this truly happens, it impacts the way we live our lives. In particular, He’s looking for justice and righteousness. Do you see these in your life? In a world where injustice is frequent, how are you pursuing justice? This might require radical generosity on your part as we pursue equality. You might be called to advocate for those who have no one else to stand in the gap on their behalf. To pursue righteous living simply means to reject that which God calls sin. We live in a time where truth is deemed relative, and morality has become a blurry gray. But the truth is God clearly speaks on what is right and wrong. To surrender and submit to His authority means agreeing with what He has said.
Your life can make a profound impact for the sake of the Kingdom. Let's be sure that we’re authentically bought into who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He calls us to.
APPLICATION: Is there an area of your life where you’ve been living hypocritically? What is inconsistent? What do you need to confess to God right now? What steps can you take to pursue justice and righteous living?
PRAYER: God, help me remember that You are not just Savior but Lord. Help me bring every area of my life more fully under Your authority. May my life be marked by a pursuit of justice, mercy and righteous living. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?