Advent and reconciliation!

Today, 16 December, is the Day of Reconciliation in South Africa.

One could say it is a civilian and national holiday, meaning that it is not a “church holy day” such as Christmas, universally celebrated within Christianity.
Yet, it fits well within the spirit of the season! An encounter with the Newborn King - and a people who awaits the second coming of Christ, should take seriously the challenge to make a difference to national civilian reconciliation.

This rainbow nation is characterised by diversity and by disproportion.
Political history shows that we most of the time struggle to maintain a non-racial, fair, just and free society. Anger about injustice, cultural and personal pride hurt by favouritism and keeping a record of wrongs show that only a God-given miracle and true regeneration of the very soul of people and of the nation will be able to bring about lasting peace and a fair society in which the children of the beloved country will remain safe and in high spirits!

All should PRAY on Reconciliation day - that God will take self seeking anger away amongst us and grant our nation a spirituality characterised by patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness and love that delights in truth!
Pray that we will be a nation that are not angry - and can therefore work together to eliminate the vast imbalances between rich and poor, powerful and powerless, honest and corrupt, skilled and unskilled, and content and angry.

Are you an angry person?

One can describe a generally angry person as someone who often shows frustration about people and situations, is constantly upset and irritated by trivialities and cannot control body language, tone of voice and words of criticism that are hurtful to others who merely intuitively act out their personal views, values, choices and preferences.

We all know what Paul says godly love is: In 1 Cor 13 he amongst other things say that “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (Vs 4 – 7)

Love is not easily angered! Spirit filled children of God, desiring sanctification, fight the tendency to be easily angered. Because being self-seeking and keeping record of wrongs are the opposites of Christ like behaviour!

Proverbs 13: 10 says that “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
This means that only fools are easily angered because others hold different opinions than they do! And it also means that when we are uncomfortably touchy and upset, it most probably is the result of unholy pride!

Anger may be holy when the honour of God and Jesus and the Kingdom of God are injured and when the witness of the church is harmed!
Unholy anger would be an emotion I experience when my pride and my position of power and control is endangered! Unrighteous anger is what happens when a proud sinner lacks self-control.

Anger is an emotion. And some say emotions are neither good nor bad – it just is. Yet, it is clear that the Bible teaches us that a lack of self control is a sin! Paul says in Ephesians 4: 26: ‘In your anger do not sin’. When we lose control, we sin against God and man. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is amongst others, self-control. (Gal 5: 22-23

James summarises this very well in James 1: 19 - 21.
He says: “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
The opposite of sinful pride that is easily angered, is a humble acceptance of the Word planted in us!

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Humility kills pride. But pride kills the Word planted in us!

May God’s love keep us pure.