In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go
down while you are still angry, and do
not give the devil a foothold. – Ephesians 4:26-28
We must be so very careful. Our flesh can deceive us. People do or say
bad and hurtful things to others .. maybe to you … and it seems reasonable that they should be
criticized or treated in a like manner .. punished even. So we hold on to that
attitude towards them and before you know it, it has taken root in us. We justify it in our minds and perhaps to others,
not realizing that it has significantly affected our spiritual condition … and
the way we relate to other people. Our
heart becomes hard.
The Word of God is clear about how we, as
Christians, are to respond to people .. irrespective of how they respond to us
… love your enemies .. pray for those who despitefully use you (Matthew 5:44) … if someone strikes you on
one cheek .. turn the other (Luke 6:29) … these verses – actually commands -
are about attitudes toward people that are not nice … When we don’t do what the
Word says … sin takes root in our hearts … and over time we come to the place
where we accept it or think .. that is just the way we are … If that is you,
read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 to refresh your thinking.
Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has
reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of
reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to
Himself, not [a]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the
word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God
were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to
God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the
righteousness of God in Him. – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
A word of caution … we cannot do anything that
the Lord commands in our own strength .. but only by the power of the Spirit in
us. So please don’t think .. ok, I must
try harder. Trying harder will not work … it will only result in failure … How you treat others is reflection of the
level of love you have in your heart for God. If you have an obedience problem, it’s
because you have a love problem. The
first step to having the right attitudes toward others, even those who treat
you unfairly, is to start with your attitude toward the Lord.
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