James 1: 19 - 20 NKJV
We've all known a few of them, those people who seem to always take it upon themselves to speak in anger to others. Having a job that requires me to interact with the general public at times has definately opened my eyes to that anger which others all too often use when speaking to others. However, it also made me realize that there were indeed times when I could also fall victim to the choice of using a few choice words. I'm not afraid to admit that I have at times chosen to use harsh words against others. This has caused me to grow in my own understanding of how it is that we should treat those around us. Christian or not, we all make that choice of how it is we will respond to those around us. That old saying of attracting more bees with honey than with vinegar has never been more true. This week Wayne Jacobsen delved into how we often interact with one another. I find this a very important topic today for a good reason. See, you never know just where that person whom you are speaking in anger against is in their own life. Will we miss that opportunity to show others the love and understanding of Christ who is in us {Galations 2:20}? Then again, a harsh response to another may also escalate into a situation we cannot reslove with just words of apolagy. I asked a police officer aquaintance of mine recently after a well publicized shooting here in Portland of his thoughts on how such a situation could have been avoided. Now, police officers are usually reserved when talking shop to those in the public, but his response got me thinking. He was not shy of saying that, in his profession, harsh words can be the difference between a life saved and a life taken. I agreed.
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
45“that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
Matthew 5: 43 - 47 NKJV
Our group has had many a conversation lately on the reality of Christ Jesus in us. Why did Jesus choose this path? Well, I believe that our heavenly Father wanted relationship and not religion. Being in Spirit as He is, we are told that nobody has ever seen God {John 1:18}. So, how is it that we, as Gods children and heirs would ever be able to see Him? Well, we "see" Him as He lives through others. The world will see God as He manifests Himself through us. The world saw Christ Jesus as He manifested Himself through His physical form. If not for this, the world may never have known God in a intimate way. One of the biggest struggles I have had in seeking a relationship with Christ was that I could not "see" Him with my own eyes. How can we trust in something we cannot see? Well, we trust in the law of gravity don't we? We know that throwing ourselves off of a bridge is not a good thing. Yet somehow placing our trust in a unseen God is a different story. All the relationships I've had have been with those I could physically see...except for one. My relationship with Christ is different. Yes, I know He is real and that He lives on today, but realizing just where He is today has taken me some time to come to grips with. I mention this with a lead in to my topic. If Jesus indeed manifests Himself through us today as we are told He does, does He not also share in our daily experiences? How many opportunities have we lost in showing the love of Jesus by using a harsh word against those around us? When we behave this way towards others, does this exemplify He who is in us? NO! Should our own talking points to others be based on the love and understanding of Jesus? I would say so. For how is it that the world would see Him if not through us? God is always ready to reveal Himself through us...it is we who will choose to do so.
26“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27nor give gplace to the devil.
Ephesians 4: 26 - 27 NKJV
~Scott~
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