Back in the days of the old law of Moses, God gave him a set of 10 Commandments all of which began with "Thou Shalt Not"...We today, read these and take them at face value without really considering what all is involved in them.
Jesus however, came along in His Discourse on the Hill, better known as the Sermon on the Mount, (Matt. 5,6,7) to go further into one of the Commandments of "Thou Shalt Not Kill". Jesus wasn't teaching us how to simply be good, or just to talk the talk, but to walk the walk. He knew that the laying down of harden "laws" would not be possible for everyone to keep them, so that is why He was showing us how to change our hearts and give us hopeful and realistic terms in which to live.
The Old Testament Laws of God seemed rigid and hard to keep, and that is why Jesus walked among the people and gave them an understanding into the virtues of God Himself. It was the person of Jesus and His death, that makes it very clear today just what the virtues of God really are. He is a loving God who is far more patient with us that we seem to admit.
Virtue was the key word in describing Jesus Christ as a man and His teachings. He wanted us to know the difference between the Old Law and living in the kingdom of today. The apostle Paul explains this in Phil 4:8, 2 Pt. 1:3-5. We are told to think on higher things, not to be in the word structure, because we are now joint heirs with Christ.
As an example, Christ went on to explain the dangers of being irritated with others. This emotion can lead to anger and contempt. Here He shows the first steps into the righteousness of the kingdom heart. It is the elimination of anger and contempt. These emotions can be very dangerous. Christ takes us another step further into this commandment of not killing.
First of all, anger is a feeling that can paralyz someone, and seize up within them which in turn can cause us to inflict harm and interference to others. This can have some serious consequences. Anger is very damaging, it can wound someone mentally and physically as well. It also raises the stress level and evokes anger in return. This is why Christ says to "turn the other cheek". It isn't retaliating in more anger. Anger is a feeling that can quickly turn into something more harmful.
When someone is angry with us, it hurts. We feel rejection. We know their anger is meant to hurt us. Sometimes all it takes is a look of rejection or maybe an avoidance of looking at us that hurts. Sometimes it could be a raised voice or perhaps they ignore us and don't speak to us at all that causes us harm. Whatever the case may be, it makes a painful impression.
Jesus teaches us that we have the choice of either letting this anger take control of us, or we can control it. People who are not walking a Christian walk, will choose to let the anger take over because it gives them a sense of control over someone else. Thinking of someone else's feelings is the farthest thing from their minds. Anger can elevate and become a vicious cycle if not handled correctly. It can lead to death and even murder. When allowed to cultivate, it has an element of self righteousness and vanity. It just perpetuates into problems both for ourselves and others. Jesus was quoted as saying, "to cut off the root of anger is to wither the tree of human evil." The apostle Paul simply puts it as, "Lay aside all anger." Read (Col. 3:8; Eph.4:31) He says that no good can come from this emotion.
"A man's anger does not promote the righeousness of God (wishes and requires)" James 1:20 (Amplified)
God is not about anger that retaliates, He tells us to be angry and sin not. Do not let this emotion get the better of you.
How do we handle it then? We can't handle anything on our own. But God can if we simply do these three things: 1. Admit the anger and ask to be forgiven. 2. Think it through 3. Ask God for His counsel through His Word.
Contempt is an even more dangerous emotion when allowed to build. This feeling is never justified for any reason. In order to live in the kingdom life here and now we must without a shadow of a doubt, be deeply rooted and grounded in love, love for God and love for our fellow man. We must have a heart after God's. This would not be possible if we held in feelings of anger and contempt.
But thank God, He sent Jesus to give us a new and fresh way of living, a promise of an everlasting life. It's no secret that Christ came to pay a debt He didn't owe, and we owe a debt we could never pay. But God loves us that much that He gave His only begotten Son on our behalf. Wow!!!!
"Fear not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee and with the right hand of My righteousness." Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)
God does warn us of the dangers of anger when He said in Proverbs 15:1, "I wrath, but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 29:22, "A man giveth to anger commits and causes MUCH transgression."
Why are we so quick to anger and God tells us in Joel 2:13 and Nah.1:3 that He Himself is slow to anger? Should we not then be the same?
Ask God today to show you the root of your anger and then admit that you have sinned and want Him to forgive you. When you accept His Son Jesus as your Savior to rule over your life, you will then begin to feel a great weight lifted from inside your heart. Learn how anger can torment you and keep you in bondage unless you give it to Jesus, the One Who Died so you could live.
There are many ways to hell, but only way to heaven.
Vivian Gordon inspired writer of God's Word. It is her calling to teach the Good News and help others see the light of God to free them.
tidy up service Glenview ..We've all heard the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as... Read More
Do you have a dream, but are waiting for "just... Read More
An Introduction to MatthewSETTINGHave you ever been promised something wonderful,... Read More
What is the opportunity here? What is the benefit of... Read More
Those of us, who are familiar with Apostle Paul's sermon... Read More
Symbols and symbolism are popular in almost every civilisation, culture... Read More
If you would like to learn to read tarot cards,... Read More
An act of selflessness is the highest expression of selfishness... Read More
"A common jar of clay can never become a noble... Read More
Enlightenment, which is as varied as each individual's fingerprint, is... Read More
Many of you already own several lucky charms or talismans.... Read More
Have you ever wondered which Angel governs your sign? And... Read More
That we must live with imperfections is a fact of... Read More
We know that David did much to stabilize the Kingdom... Read More
Christianity: White man's religion?Martin Luther King referred to Sunday as... Read More
In today's world we worry about everything, food, jobs, clothing,... Read More
Is life challenging you to take a bigger leap? Are... Read More
Those five words are from a song that I remember... Read More
Love is mentioned well over 350 times in the Bible.... Read More
It was in the middle of the night and the... Read More
We've all heard the saying, "You have to forgive, but... Read More
Chaos: "complete confusion" and "the formless void before the creation... Read More
I have, in my opinion, the world's perfect job. Just... Read More
The Mystical Experience"The mysteries of life become lucid ? and... Read More
While I do hope to avoid arguing the merits or... Read More
maid service near Winnetka ..Every month I usually sit down and write an article... Read More
I was originally brought up Catholic, at the insistence of... Read More
"Everything in the universe is a pitcher brimming with wisdom... Read More
There is power in meanings of the old images and... Read More
Come on now!? Really? This is going too far, you... Read More
It seems more people today are using the Christian god... Read More
1. Raphael means "God heals." Raphael heals physical, emotional and... Read More
Last NAN I explained how to petition the female Saints... Read More
I have held numerous teleconference workshops where I help individuals... Read More
Faith is the remarkable force that gives us the empowerment... Read More
In Corrogue, Celtic mythology helps me live a wonderful life.As... Read More
A while back the Lord had given me this message... Read More
Now, we all know that we shouldn't be lead by... Read More
If you spend a hundred bucks and buy the right... Read More
Observations from the Town Car... "Home James!"The bulk of driving... Read More
How many Christian people do you know who are bearing... Read More
Lately In my email newsletters (available for FREE at http://www.ChristThroughMe.com... Read More
forgiveness stories quotes definition and loveForgiveness is that quality in... Read More
There are many contradictions in life and none more easily... Read More
I believe in the source we refer to as 'God'.... Read More
For the last 35 years, I have been working with... Read More
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me,... Read More
IS FAITH - NOT VITAMIN C WHAT'S MISSING FROM YOUR... Read More
Imagine for a moment. It's Tuesday night about 7pm. You... Read More
There are many energy beings available to assist us in... Read More
Spirituality |