Love and Humility, Part 2

by Jerolyn Bogear

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9b

Do I really hate what is evil? The Greek word for "hate" means to abhor or to be in horror of. Does evil horrify me? I think I have become desensitized to the horror of evil. It is so prevalent around me I would either have to walk around with blinders on or move to an isolated property in the mountains to escape it. (Okay, the second option wouldn't be so bad:)

Evil is not going to go away until Christ returns and the enemy is forever cast away. So if I am going to be a follower of Jesus Christ and live with Him as my Lord, then I cannot tolerate the things that are contrary to him to exist within me. And the best way to do that is the second half of the sentence -- cling to what is good. I love the Greek for "cling." To glue together, cement, fasten together. I must grab onto what is good and right with all my might like we are stuck together with glue -- or better yet, cement. I want to be so held together with good that it would take a jackhammer to separate us.

So what things am I to cling to? "Good" things are:

1. of good constitution or nature
2. useful, salutary
3. good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy
4. excellent, distinguished
5. upright, honourable

Today, these are the things I will choose to align my life with. I will sincerely love all PEOPLE, but abhor anything that is EVIL to God and cling with all my might to those things that are HONORABLE and UPRIGHT.

Lord, open my eyes and transform me.