“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. John 15:18-19
Sometimes we forget our calling in life. According to Gods words we are to serve others. Those that are rude, mean, ignore, back-stab and insult you. Yes, those people we thought were our friends. Even the ones that we feel are not deserving of our aid: panhandlers, car salesmen, mortgage writers, IRS officers, lawyers, atheists, religious leaders, and their followers, to name a few.
If someone is angry with you (for reason or not) what do we do? Usually we use that angry energy to justify our own anger to lash back. Right. If someone wrongs us (whether intentional or nor) we use it as fuel to act out toward them and even others. Yes, we do. I have witnessed many car fender benders over the years. In most every case the person that was hit, better put scratched or bumped becomes furious. It was an accident and no one was hurt, yet they become enraged with angry. Why? Because they have justified it because of what happened to them.
Did you catch what I wrote in that last sentence? THEM, the me, me, me, syndrome. The world says think about #1, only the strong survives, the first looser comes in second place. This is the perspective the world wants us to view the world by. Christ had a different idea all together. Matthew 5:38-39, “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
Here’s a little story that someone shared with me years ago. An Irishman while chatting in a local pub was hit on the cheek dropping him to the floor. A cheap shot it was. Once back to his feet he turns his other cheek and again he is dropped to the floor. After a few long seconds the Irishman got up and beats the man to a bloody pulp. A gentleman witnessing the entire event asked, “Why did you do that?” “Well”, the Irishman replied, “The good Lord said to turn the other cheek and that I did, but He never told me what to do after that.” So I improvised!
Can we a Christians defend ourselves, sure, but it is when and how that is in question. Christ took it to the cross. How far will you carry another person until they can see beyond their ignorance or narrow-mindedness? How will they ever come to see and know the living Christ unless we are ready to live as Christ did? Even for those professing to be Christian that lack the Joy and Wisdom of the Lord.
You’re saying, “But that was Jesus Christ, I can’t do it!” And I reply, “What about Paul?” Acts 16 starting in verse 25, tells of a wonderful story of following the desire of God and not ourselves. Because of Paul and Silas’ willingness to go the uncomfortable distance, the jailer came to know Christ.
I will close with this challenge. We need to submit to the will of the Lord and when we see scripture that justifies a behavior (action), make sure that it fits the life example Christ showed all of us.
Tuesday, 1. April 2008
Well Pastor this one took a very long time before I could respond. As you know and I have stated before that anger has been an issue that I have struggled with for a very long time. After accepting Christ it now no longer controls me BUT I do believe that there is a righteous anger. As you know I was abused by my Father and for a price his friend and yes I still carry some of that anger it no longer controls me but I do feel I have a right to be angery for being hurt and misused by a person who was to love me. I worked at a child crisis center for almost three years and would see children as young as two come in because of sexaul abuse or children comeing in with broken bone and the worst yet I had one little girl that came through our doors that I worked with one on one and saw her grow (by the way every night she would have me sing peace speaker so she could go to sleep) just to be returned home and five months later die at the hands of her Mother. That anger I have not been able to let go of yet. I do believe that we do have a right to be angery. look at what GOD says about anger Ex. 15:7 you unleashed your burning anger, Num. 31:10 The Lords anger was aroused, and num. 32:13 the Lords anger burned. Several time we see GOD did get angry look what he did with Noah and I know when a child is hurt, abuse, or like Haley dies at the hand of the one person that should have loved her he get very anger what we need to do is not stuff our anger becuase someone may think we are not being christian like but follow another verse GOD gives us which is what I am trying to do when dealing with my anger and that is Eph. 4:26 IN YOUR ANGER DO NOT SIN. we should get angry at what is happening to our children and older follks and find a way to solve the problems. sorry to drag on so long but this is something close to my heart. Thanks for listening.
Tuesday, 1. April 2008
Wow, again, exactly what I needed to hear this morning. I didn’t read this post until today although I spoke of a situation with you last night about some of these very things. This was confirmation for me.
I need to listen to the Lord, even if that makes others angry or makes me upset and uncomfortable. What a test I’m facing. But I know He makes all things good for those who choose to listen and submit to His plan.
Thanks.
Tuesday, 1. April 2008
I think this was an eye-opener for alot of us. We were just talking about how anger is in control of us sometimes and we have to remember that GOD did get angry and he was right to do so. However when we put our anger into perspective and let God guides us he will help us to see what truly is angering us. Somtimes satin uses those we love to try and reach us in whatever way he can.
Maybe it is not the situation but the fact that we want our loved ones to know what peace we have and how much better the world would be if everyone could be less angry.
Those who know me know that I am most concerned about our children and it is the hardest thing for me to deal with when I know one of them is/was hurt. Yes I get angry and I have to control it with Gods help. This sure made me stop and think about how far I have come. God has helped me to be less angry and to try to understand that when others do things that make me angry I can be calm.
Lets all step outside our comfort zone and show the world that anger can be controled with God as our leader.
God Bless You All