10/08/2013 - THE LIMIT OF ANGER

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So when Moses heard that, he was content.

Leviticus 10.20

The heart of he who fears the Lord, as godly as he may be, gets angry when he sees wrong things being done. Nevertheless, while we become outraged, we must remember that many times we too do things that displease others (Matthew 7.3-5; Luke 6.41-42). By listening to what the Holy Scriptures say, we can help those who have backslidden. But we must never allow the enemy to control us, since we are servants of the Lord, called to fulfill only God’s plans.

We know that no one is perfect, but all Christians must seek perfection (Matthew 5.48). Therefore, we must be careful in relation to God’s matters, otherwise we may be responsible for scandals that will certainly come (Matthew 18.7). In addition, it is important that we set a good example, not being the reason why anyone who is weak in faith has fallen. So, if you catch anyone in sin, watch out and do not allow anger to control you, so that you will not be responsible for what may happen to the person who sinned (Ephesians 4.26).

Holiness is a virtue that we all must pursue. In order to reach it, we must be careful not to ever enter by the broad gate (Matthew 7.13). We must enter and exit only by the narrow gate – God’s Word. So, before making any judgments, always make sure things are what they seem to be. It is never good to make a decision without mediating in the Word about the matter, because those who speak in accordance with God’s oracles will never be wrong.

In complex cases, we must listen to all sides of the story, because the truth is not always what it seems to be. We must also be careful not to be intransigent with people, getting angry to the point of acting as a judge. Remember that if any evil happens to us, we would certainly like to be treated with kindness when being rebuked.

In fact, the only people able to decide a case with justice are those who check everything they hear with the Word of God; but we must be extra careful. To find out if the justifications for an error are plausible, check if they satisfy the heart that is hurting. So if you feel that the truth has not been fully told, do not be hasty in saying that the person has been forgiven. And that is because he can think that it was easy to be forgiven and then continue in sin, which will lead him to perdition.

Those who do not tell the truth show that they have not repented and were feeling only remorse. However, those who have sinned and truly repent will never forget the favor received. In addition, when someone wants to be forgiven, he confesses everything, regardless of the price to be paid, because what they want the most is to get rid of sin. Do not forget that, on Judgment Day, all sins will be revealed, but there will not be forgiveness (2Peter 2.1-4). So repent today and be spared of the anger that may dwell in you.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares