8.29.23 - Matthew 5:23-24
Anger should flash and abate, not burn slowly through our lives. Where does your anger burn slowly today? What do you need to do the put out the embers rather than fan them?
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
At first glance, this passage may seem rather confusing.
Although in actuality, it holds a great message if we're willing to stick with it.
I can imagine we've all gotten mad at a ¨sibling.¨ But, what happens after those moments of anger? How does it linger in our hearts?
One of the things I read here is that lingering anger leads to violence. It may sound harsh. But becoming violent does not happen by chance.
When we are angered by someone's actions, we all have a small, yet disastrous seed planted in us. What happens next is up to us.
Does the seed sprout or do we pluck it from the ground through acts of forgiveness and restoration?
The more I read this passage the more it expresses to me how we should all learn to forgive and seek restoration, as not doing so can cause harm to you, and others.
There's nothing wrong with anger; yet it should not be the governing emotion of our relationships. Anger should flash and abate, not burn slowly through our lives. Where does your anger burn slowly today? What do you need to do the put out the embers rather than fan them?
-- Calista Silva