If you are on social media these days, you will notice a theme; Christians are angry with each other. Of course, unsaved people are angry too, but that is to be expected. They don't have the claim of a godly life or the power of a resurrected Christ. Christians - we are held to a higher standard. This election cycle has brought out The Worst in people.
Here is a typical scene I have noticed multiple times in the past few weeks:
First Christian posts something political.
Another Christian comments with a different viewpoint.
First Christian gets angry.
Commenter gets angry.
Sneering, condescension, and bitter words follow.
This has been making me so sad the past few months. Which is good, I guess, in a way, for it has driven me to pray for my brothers and sisters in the Lord more than previously. And anything that drives me to my knees has some purpose.
You know, in Matthew 5, it says this:
"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.'22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
Whoa. That is strong language! When we are angry with our brother, it's the same as if we murder them! This is not a popular Scripture passage, I know. But there it is. You can believe the whole Bible, or you can chop out the parts you don't like.
This is a serious issue.
Murder.
Killing.
Think about it.
Would you get a gun and walk over to your brother and shoot him in the head? Of course not! Yet you blast out angry words right into his face and not even feel guilty.
What a huge deception Satan has spawned! He has duped us into thinking we can be angry, sneering and contemptuous to each other, and somehow God is going to wink at it.
For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Galatians 5:14
The desire of the flesh includes wanting to be right, wanting others to acknowledge that we are right, and wanting to be superior.
If we walk by the Spirit, we will have our eyes fixed on Jesus, and not on each other.
The elections have really brought out the ugly in Christians. Normally sweet, generous, loving people are now angry, judging, and name-calling. Their anxiety about future events and possibilities have blinded them to the wonderful kindness and great Sovereignty of God. It is under stress and in scary times that the hidden things of our hearts are displayed for all to see. What is in our heart will come out.
I challenge all of us to check our hearts. Are we worried? Fearful? Are we easily angered and frustrated with our brothers and sisters in Christ for their differing opinions? Do we still see them as brothers and sisters? I am convinced there will be liberals, conservatives, democrats, republicans, and libertarians in Heaven. One type of political view does not have priority over another. Only individual hearts and lives.
And you know, we aren't even citizens of this country! (Ouch! I felt that dirty look you just gave me!)
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Philippians 3:20
I love our country. I have the highest respect and honor for the heroes fighting to protect us, and for the many, many lives given for our freedom. But I am not first an American. I am first a Christian. My allegiance is first and foremost in Heaven, with my Father. He is the one who Created me, His Son saved me from eternal hell, and His Holy Spirit lives within me, empowering me to live victorious by God's grace.
So when God gives a command, it supersedes the earthly commands. And God has clearly commanded us to love one another and stop being angry with each other. Our fellow countrymen would have us believe that ALL must be sacrificed for the sake of a better USA.
I believe ALL must be sacrificed for fellowship with God our Father, and for His children. That includes sacrificing my need to be right.
Sure, I have posted a few things about the elections, I have commented on a couple posts, (and regretted it a few times) and I do have an opinion on it all. But I want to promote fellowship with my family in Christ - not hard feelings. I never want to be condescending or sneer at them because they feel differently. I don't want to be in danger of hell fire because I was angry with my brother. Totally not worth it!
So tell me, have you seen this trend of anger among Christians?
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