[176 words]
The Bible has much to say in regard to anger and the life of the disciple of Jesus Christ (cf. Eph. 4:26, 31; Prov. 14:17; 15:18; James 1:19-20; Gal. 5:20; Titus 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:2-3; et. al.). And yet, with all of the Biblical evidence and information, most of us seem to be pretty good at justifying our continued (and prolonged) fits of anger.
Let us consider the example of Jesus. When the Pharisees were looking for an opportunity to accuse Him (Mark 3:2), the Bible tells us that Jesus “looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart” (Mark 3:5).
We must have a sincere desire for reconciliation with the person who has “made us mad.” We must desire (from deep within our hearts—Matt. 18:35) salvation for the offending party. It must break our hearts to think of someone living in rebellion against the Almighty. Smug satisfaction and imagined justification of our anger is unacceptable. Anger mingled with grief will cause us to live on a higher (and ultimately happier) level. And, best of all, we will be more like our Lord Jesus.
Bart Warren
S. Green St. church of Christ
Glasgow, KY