What other scriptures emphasize the importance of loving truth and justice? Connecting Amos 5:10 with God’s Heart “They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they despise him who speaks with integrity.” (Amos 5:10) Rejecting truth-tellers is the symptom; indifference toward justice is the disease. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to love both truth and justice. Old Testament Echoes of Truth and Justice • Deuteronomy 16:19-20 — “Do not deny justice or show partiality… Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.” • Psalm 15:1-2 — “O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?… He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart.” • Proverbs 12:22 — “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are His delight.” • Proverbs 21:3 — “To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.” • Isaiah 1:17 — “Learn to do right; seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the cause of the widow.” • Micah 6:8 — “He has shown you, O man, what is good… to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” • Zechariah 8:16-17 — “Speak the truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates… Do not love perjury, for I hate all these things, declares the LORD.” • Psalm 89:14 — “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.” Jesus and the Truth-Justice Connection • Matthew 23:23 — “Woe to you… You have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” • Luke 11:42 reaffirms the same charge. • John 14:6 — “I am the way and the truth and the life.” To follow Christ is to embrace truth. • John 8:31-32 — “If you continue in My word… you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” • Notice: freedom flows from truth, and Jesus insists on justice as a “weightier” matter. Apostolic Teaching on Truth and Justice • Romans 12:17-21 — “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… overcome evil with good.” Justice without revenge. • Ephesians 4:25 — “Put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” • Philippians 4:8 — “Whatever is true… whatever is just… think on these things.” • 2 Thessalonians 2:10 — “…because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.” • James 3:17 — “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving… impartial, and sincere.” • 1 John 3:18 — “Let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.” • 1 Peter 3:12 — “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous… but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Living It Out Today • Guard your heart: delight in truth and refuse any fondness for deception. • Speak honestly: let every word line up with God’s character. • Seek justice: advocate for the vulnerable and resist partiality. • Practice integrity: allow no split between private convictions and public actions. • Fix your mind on what is “true… and just” (Philippians 4:8) so your life consistently reflects God’s priorities. |
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