Just, Always

By Kayode Emmanuel

Devotional Reading: “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.”- Matthew 1:19 KJV

As humans, it’s our nature and it’s so easy to love those who loves us and hate those who do otherwise. But being a believer with the nature of God, we are empowered and instructed to love everyone, even our enemies. We are to do well and pray for those who persecute us.

Our anchor text reveals to us Joseph, who is espoused to Mary and being found with a child; definitely not his. Despite being disappointed as we will say it now, Joseph still cared about her and wasn’t ready to make her a public example, for it is a thing of disgrace for a Jewish lady to be pregnant out of wedlock. We could say, Joseph was indeed just; tender, merciful and kind by this act.

The true test of being kind and merciful is best known when it is given, when the recipient do not deserve it in anyway justifiable to human reasoning. Remember, anyone can show love to those who love them, even unbelievers do that too. You have God’s spirit resident in you, therefore live accordingly – show love and be compassionate as Christ was to the world even while we were yet sinners.

Prayer and Confession
The nature and life of God has supplanted the human nature in me, therefore I live and love everyone as Christ would. I show kindness to everyone I come in contact with all the time. Amen

Further Reading: 1Cor. 13, Deut. 24:1