So, How am I to React as a Christian?

God's word has so much to offer. Just a verse happened upon can change one's entire outlook when received openly:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”

Isaiah 61:1 ESV

Isaiah's prophetic words of Jesus to come, not mine. But, I am beginning to relate. A few days ago, a question was posed in our connect group after church:

As Christians, how are we to react to events and the world around us?

This verse reminds me that my old self has been replaced by a new person, empowered with the love of Christ, because of his suffering and death on the cross, so that I may be a vessel of that love. He has given me an abundance of that which I did not have on my own, forgiveness and love.

So, How am I to react as a Christian? In the world today, the one we are in, but not of, appears to be sliding, as if on a tilted plate, towards darkness. We wake daily to news of more terror, crime and mayhem; around the globe and in our own home towns. Troubling is not a strong enough word to describe my feelings as I peruse the news, but troubling it is.

In the past, anger and hatred, fear and despair would fill me as I look out at the world. Usually the issues related to my own suffering and guilt. Now, though, because Jesus has placed his Spirit in me, opening my heart to a new life, I attempt (as best I can) to view the experience of the world today through eyes and heart of both love and expectancy. No, not always, being as I am a man of flesh, but not as often as in my past.

See, Jesus changed me. He took a dark, lonely, angry man and created a new man; a man who can love when love seems out of place. He filled my life with a beautiful family and wonderful friends. Most important, though, he gave me LIFE. 

I am allowed to be angry. God does not want me to passively watch, being accepting of the evil that pervades this world. His word is enough for me. He takes my anger and turns it to something that is unnatural to me. I now approach the Lord and pray for him to turn my fears and anger to love, and I pray for the lost, even those that one would assume as too corrupted, too evil to be saved. We know for certain that God loves all, and wants, through the Son, Jesus Christ, all to have eternal life.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV

Still, though, the question remains. I do not always react as I should as a child of the living God. Often I make these reactions public, harming those whom I would reach out to in a loving way. For that I am truly sorry, and pray I am never the one who would push away a soul from God because of my ugly actions or words. I can, though, keep working toward becoming the man that God intended me to be, even before I was created.

To wrap, I do not know the answer. I do, however know the One who does. I seek him and his will now.

I pray:

Father God,

Where my hate and anger would have driven me to say and do things in reaction to my circumstances that were, to be honest, evil and in opposition to Your will, I now have a grace and peace that is not of this world.

Yes, I can, and do, get angry at times. I pray that is with a righteous anger, and not a slippery anger that will lead me back to my old ways. Rather, an anger that opens my eyes and heart to the real and eternal salvation that Christ has offered; an anger that burns with a desire to forgive and search for an opportunity to show his love.

Your word says

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger," Ephesians 4:26

While recent events in our world, combined with the political climate, are a breeding ground for anger, hatred and desire for retribution, I cling now to Your promise that you will avenge. My role is determined by the Spirit within me so graciously supplied through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let us seek you who can do all things in and through us so that, even in our little space in the world, a light may shine and pierce this present darkness.

In Christ's name, Amen.