Matthew 25:40, “Then the King will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, anything you refused to do for even the least of my people here, you refused to do for me.”
Sally was taking seminary classes and in one of her classes she learned a lesson she'll never forget.
Brother Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. When Sally walked into the class one morning she knew this was going to be a fun day.
On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table where many darts. Brother Smith instructed the class to draw a picture of someone they disliked or someone who had made them angry. When done, he would allow them to throw darts at their person.
Sally's girlfriend to her right, had drawn a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew his little brother. Sally drew a picture of Brother Smith putting a great deal into her drawing even drawing pimples on his face. Sally was pleased with the overall effort she had achieved.
Soon the class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn and was filled with disappointment. Brother Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. Sitting down, Sally was angry because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts. That was, until Brother Smith continued with his lesson.
How about you? Given the chance to throw darts at someone you dislike or who has angered you, who would you draw? It's okay be honest, you're the only one reading this. I'll admit there have been people in my past I felt could use a dart or two.
Truth is, we are only human. As much as we strive to live like Jesus and not sin anger is still part of our nature; it won't ever be entirely changed until Jesus comes again to make us whole. So, who is it, what have they done to upset you?
Now, I'm not saying it's okay to be angry, I'm simply saying we will get angry. The question is what will you do with that anger. Look what Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. 27 Do not give the devil a way to defeat you.”
The Bible says ‘when’ angry do not sin. It doesn't say ‘don't’ get angry or ‘if’ you ever get angry. It tells us ‘when’.
We all will get angry but it's not the feeling that's the problem. It's when we act on those feelings. You could be saying, “I actually don't get angry. I'm not an angry person.”
Anger just isn't a bulging, vain popping, red face. Anger can be subtle and come in other forms. Possibly some minor frustrations with that driver on the road. Possibly an irritation with your children for not doing something you've asked them to do, or the spouse who continually throws their clothes next to the hamper, not in it. It could be something that happens at work with your boss or coworker. You don't have to be throwing darts or fists to be angry. Anger can come out in hurtful or abusive words.
So, if anger lies in our genes, how can we overcome? Paul puts it clearly in Colossians 3:8, put it all aside.
But Paul, I was an abused child and now anger just resounds through me - put it aside.
But Paul, my spouse nags me all the time and I want to explode with anger - put it aside.
But Paul, my husband cares only about work and leaves me alone to take care of the household and deal with the kids - put it aside.
But Paul, my kids sass me and refused to do what I ask until I am yelling at them - put it aside.
But Paul, my boss favors another coworker who does nothing while I am left to do all the work, it's unfair and makes me angry- put it aside.
Can we control our anger on our own? No, it is an emotion in all of us. The good news is we don't have to control anger on our own. Christ died to take away the guilt of our sins and He gave us the Holy Spirit living in us to overcome our sins. By Paul telling us to put it aside, He is telling us that we can control our anger with the help of the Holy Spirit.
In Galatians 5 Paul lists a number of sins that dwell in all of us but in 5:22-22 he adds, when we choose Jesus, when we choose to listen to the Holy Spirit, these are the fruits that can live in us that can help us overrule those sins. Walk by the Spirit and overcome- Galatians 5:16.
Let's wrap this up with the conclusion of Brother Smith's lesson to Sally's class. Remember many students had already thrown darts at the person they were angry at, yet Sally missed her chance because of the time limit.
Once the class was seated, brother Smith began removing the target off the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus, holes and jagged marks on His face and His eyes were pierced and torn out.
Brother Smith quoted Matthew 25:40. No other words were necessary as the tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Jesus.
Remember, you are not the only child of God. Christians are not God's only children. God created man and woman in His image at creation. Since then, we are all descendants of God. Even the most hateful atheistic person in the world is one of God's children. Christ died at Calvary, so all people have a chance at salvation. That doesn't mean everyone will take the opportunity God has given them. It does, however, mean God still loves every soul on this earth and His heart breaks for every sinner lost.
So, I'll ask you again. If given the chance, who would you draw to throw darts at? Yes, we will get angry, people will make us mad. But, with God's help we can learn to put it aside, drop the darts and choose love over anger. There is someone I know that I have had an upset with, because they hurt my child, but I do not wish to throw darts at them.
I simply choose to forgive them, hope the best for them, and move forward with my life and pursue my walk with God. Is it easy, no. Stupid drivers still exist, family still frustrate, there are days I still growl, but I choose to overcome. I choose Jesus over anger, and I’ll probably have to choose again and again, but the closer I walk with Jesus, the more I choose the fruits over the sins, the easier to becomes. That is Jesus’ promise to each of us. Anger will come; people will make us mad. It's what we choose to do with the feelings that define us. Don't let the sun go down and be angry. Put it aside, let it go and let God in.
Many may ask, why take time to have extra Bible studies. Well, the Bible leads us to God’s heart. Thomas Goodwin wrote that the Scriptures were written “to bring down and lay before us the heart of God.” The whole of Scripture puts God’s multifaceted glory on display. It shows God’s heart that we might trust him with ours. Paul wrote, “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” -Rom. 15:4. God aims to instruct us not as an end itself, but to encourage our hearts with hope. He gave us the Bible because he loves us, and he wants us to feel loved by him. He wants us to hope in Him and know, deep down, with an unshakable confidence, that we are His. Last week we began studying what Jesus is saying when He says I AM. Today let's continue with Jesus the Bread of Life
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