A recent headline from satire website The Babylon Bee proclaimed: “God Decides To Cut All Toxic People Out Of His Life; 7.5 Billion Dead”.
Funny, but if not for the blood of Jesus it would be terrifying.
The headline brings up a larger point: a Holy God came down at a great and terrible cost to fulfill the law all other men (you and me) could not. On the other side of that grace, there is no anger we are permitted to hold, for any reason. Do you know the Great Commandment? Jesus said: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
This is obvious to us all. But if you really think about it, the second part is mindblowing: “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
This is the law of love Jesus came to establish.
The opposite of love? Hate. The seed that grows a tree of hate? Anger. In today’s reading, Jesus impresses upon us that while grace is freely given, there is a standard and a law that we are commanded to live by. The reading even goes so far as to say if you are bringing an offering to God, leave it and go reconcile. In Psalm 51 it says: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Nowhere in Scriptures does it say that God delights in us seeking out our own vindication. We truly serve a God who handed down a Gospel of grace, period -- no “buts”, or, “exceptions” or “unless”. Grace, period. There are examples of “righteous anger” in the Word, but these are more in the vein of outrage and hating the things God hates. If you see injustice your response should be prayer and -- if called -- action, rather than grumbling and long-burning anger leading to sin..."Let every person be...slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God"
The next time anger takes hold of you, remember today’s passage. Remember the kind of heart the Most High God loves to dwell in. Though it is a natural emotion, quench all anger that leads to bitterness. Remember the grace you were given and the freedom you enjoy. Are you holding a grudge borne of anger against anyone you know? Do you struggle with road rage? Do you yell at your children more than you know you should? Identify these patterns and pray to our Father that He would lay hold of these natural feelings in your heart. We have a wonderful God who is the judge in today’s reading, but also the Great Physician who can heal us of the anger that leads to sin. Even if we are truly wronged, He is the Judge who will dispense perfect justice which frees us to dispense grace.
If you come into contact with “that jerk” on the road that is cutting everyone off. If your child causes you to repeat yourself ten times. When that Facebook post grates on your nerves...you are coming into contact with another human being. That contact was ordained by God and your touch should be one of grace, not anger. Your response may save someone from a downward spiral of depression, sadness, or hopelessness. Only God knows. You are salt and light, and a world that is blinded to its Savior may see Him in your response. As was preached at 255 West a couple of weeks back, “take every temptation and make it a test”.
May you not read today’s passage in a blur -- the first decree of the new law Jesus came to bring -- but stop and let it soak in.
Matthew 5:21-26
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What does it mean for the law to be fulfilled?
+ In verse 24 what is the “first, then” statement made?
+ What is notable about “your accuser” in verse 25? Does God mention fault here?
+ What does verse 26 say to your rational mind?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Anger is probably the cheapest and easiest emotion for us to grab because it masquerades as a problem being addressed. Because it is cheap, our petty adversary (the devil) will try to make sure it stays seated in our life. Will you pray to God for His help in suppressing a sin He hates?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?