HEAVENSREEF

Until JESUS returns there will always be angry and lost people…….

JEREMIAH 50: 6   “MY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LOST SHEEP.”

Let us remember today that at one time, we were lost too.  Let’s not become angry ourselves then, at the ones who still are.  Don’t dismiss them, pray for them.  Our frustration with those who are different from us does not sit well with GOD either…….

EPHESIANS 4:  26-27   “BE ANGRY AND DO NOT SIN; DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON YOUR ANGER, AND GIVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO THE DEVIL.”

At the end of the day, any anger we may be harboring should be confessed to GOD.  And right now we are in an angry season!  Elections do this and they bring out the worst in us.  But words that are said can not ever be taken back once they are out there.  And in reality, those who are lost know not what they do or say.

LUKE  23: 34   “JESUS SAID, FATHER FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.”

As JESUS was dying an agonizing death HE still extended HIS grace to those who had no clue as to what they were really doing.  Can you imagine?  The people had just tortured HIM and HE still asked HIS Father to forgive them, to remember them.

And we should too.  Let an offense go.  Extend grace more than anger.  Because we are to forgive and a kind and gentle response does tone down the anger.

I so agree with what Lysa Terkeurst says in her book Seeing Beautiful Again:

“FORGIVENESS IS A COMPLICATED GRACE THAT UNCOMPLICATES MY ANGER AND HELPS ME SEE BEAUTIFUL AGAIN.”

I agree that it is all so complicated.  Sometimes I am surprised at my anger, wondering where it came from, but then I have to take a hard look at my heart and look at what is there.  It’s a pride and wanting to be right kind of thing that gets us into this kind of trouble.

Anger, resentment and unforgiveness is unbecoming to a Christian.  We should be mending fences not tearing it all down.  Don’t get angry, get forgiving!

Forgiveness is the only way, the JESUS way.  I continue to ask myself what would JESUS do?  It’s a great simple, easy question to keep our anger in check.  HE is our example, HE is our rock, HE is our strength.  Grace, mercy and love is the only way to walk in this world………just as JESUS did when HE was unjustly crucified one Friday by those who were lost and angry.

COLOSSIANS 3:  13   “BEAR WITH EACH OTHER AND FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER IF ANY OF YOU HAS A GRIEVANCE AGAINST SOMEONE.  FORGIVE AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU.”