TODAY'S WORD 25 MARCH 2014: DEAL WITH ANGER II

Ephesian 4:26-27

We would continue from yesterday meditation but focus on four steps for us to take when we have tension in a relationship: “Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” These steps can by summarized by four words from this verse – Leave, Go, Be, and Come.

A. Leave abruptly. “…leave your gift there in front of the altar…” We need to pause in our praise until we’re at peace. David figured this out in Psalm 51:16-17: “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” God would rather have a broken life than a beautiful lamb. He would rather have a surrendered man or a woman than scads of money. He would rather have us leave and make peace than lift our hands in praise when we’re in conflict with someone. Check this out. God is more into correct relationships than He is with correct ritual.

B. Go quickly. “…First go…” We’re to leave the place of reverence and go find the place of reconciliation with the one we’ve wronged. The verb tense here suggests an intense effort. It’s so easy to think that the other person should take the first step. Notice the word “first” before the word “go.” This means first in order of importance. The priority in peacemaking is to resolve everything right away. Matthew 18:15 So we need to remember: the pursuit of reconciliation is always my responsibility.

C. Be reconciled. “…and be reconciled to your brother…” First, leave abruptly. Second, go quickly. Third, be reconciled. The verb tense changes here, suggesting an intense effort. Remember, the goal is reconciliation, not revenge. I’ve also found great help from these “Four Promises of Forgiveness” from Matthew 6:12; 1 Corinthians 13:5 and Ephesians 4:32.

* I will not dwell on this incident.

* I will not bring this incident up and use it against you.

* I will not talk to others about this incident.

* I will not allow this incident to stand between us or hinder our personal relationship.

D. Come worship. “…then come and offer your gift.” Leave. Go. Be. Come. Reconciliation is important enough to interrupt our worship of God because unresolved conflict has already interrupted our worship because your focus tends to be on what you are angry about rather than on the worship of God. A right relationship with God depends on our willingness to maintain a right relationship with one another. It is this anger which actually separates us from the love of God in worship. How long will it last? In some families it can last for years.

We listen to such a story and we think how ridiculous it sounds, but this is why anger has such serious effects that Jesus tells us to deal with it before we come to worship Him. I hope that today if you are harboring hatred or anger toward another brother so sister in Christ, or if you know a brother or sister has something against you, that you will take the high road and make reconciliation efforts.

Harboring anger has devastating effects on your life, your relationship with God and the lives of others. DO not let anger tear you apart, let it go, give it to Jesus. Neither let anger rule your life, only God should be doing that.