Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate.  Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach.  For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.

 
 
 

Going to Jesus

Daily Thoughts

 Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:

 

Thought for the Evening
5-20

RIGHTEOUS ANGER

One of the problems with wrong ideas about God is that it gives us wrong ideas about life. Many people who have been abused feel guilty because they have angry feelings and because they have been taught that to be godly means to always feel sweet and nice. There is absolutely nothing evil about anger. It is a precious feeling that comes from God at the appropriate times to those who have a heart for Him.

There is no reason to feel condemned in your heart simply because you feel anger; God feels it often. In Psalms 7:11, for one example, we are told that “the LORD is angry with the wicked every day.” All that you want to do is make certain that your reasons for feeling anger are justified. Many a person who has a good reason for the anger they feel tries to smother it, lest they appear to be wicked to “good” people. To do that is to live in fear and shame, and that is not a happy life.

At the same time, even if our reasons for anger are justified, and even if the anger we feel is from God, we must never let anger dominate us. Jesus had to learn to control his anger, and we see him doing that on a number of occasions (e.g. Mk. 3:1-5). After all, if he had allowed his anger to override his reason and his love for us, he could have done a lot of damage to us pathetic creatures! Having watched in silence the corruption among the people of God in the temple one day, he later cursed a tree, and it withered up immediately (Mk. 11:11-17). My! Imagine what would have been the result if he had let anger control his heart! People, not trees, would have withered and died!

Paul encouraged the saints to constantly stay angry at the evils of this world (Eph 4:26). The truth is, if we do not stay angry with sin, then sin will certainly find a way into our hearts. So, stay angry, “and sin not.” Anger at evil will help you become more like your heavenly Father, and that is one way you can please Him.

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