Spiritual Viewpoints

by Rick Smith

Christian Life

Becoming

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We must become something different, to do something different, in order to have something different. Jesus exampled this when he did the seemingly impossible. God became flesh and gave up heaven, made himself nothing, took the form of a servant, humbled himself, and obediently died on a cross. As a result, the Father exalted him and gave Him the name that is above every name. (Phil. 2:6-11)

For us to have the attitude or mind of Christ, we, too, must become something different and do something different in order to have something different.
To become something different is a work in progress. It begins the minute I choose to change a bad habit into a Christ-like habit. You overcome any bad habit or addiction by putting one day at a time together until there is a string of them. That’s how you overcome selfishness, rage, impatience, and anything else that is unworthy of a disciple
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Becoming something different, that is, becoming more like Jesus, is one of those goals we should tack onto our mirror or refrigerator. You might want to write out a verse and place it where you see it daily. Imagine facing yourself in the mirror each morning along with “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12). It would remind you of what you have become ~ one of God’s chosen; what you should do ~ put on clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; and what you have — a Father that picked you.

A Gentle Answer

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Do you ever get so angry you could scream? Traffic, kids, work, marriage, any one of those areas or a hundred others could be the point of aggravation. Do you know it’s okay to get angry? James wrote, “In your anger do not sin” (James 4:26). That means there’s appropriate and inappropriate anger.

Like most everything, there are healthy boundaries, even with anger. Getting so angry you could scream may borderline on the edge.

Do you know how to keep others from being angry with you? It’s a lesson we all need to learn. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” For instance, there are at least two ways to say “No”. I can always tell which one my wife is using by the tone of her voice. She can either say “NO!”, or “No”. When she says “NO!”, I’m intelligent enough not to pursue the conversation. On the other hand, when she asks me a question and I’m so busy that I don’t want to be disturbed, I can either say, “What?”, or “WHAT?”. If I yell a sharp “WHAT?”, troubles brewing.

Do you see how this works? A gentle answer is soothing, and will invite the same in return. A harsh word stirs up anger, boils the blood, lights the fire, and is generally not a wise thing to do.

Another Proverb helps explain the first, “A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel” (Proverbs 15:18). If we determine to patiently speak to others we can stop problems before they happen. On the other hand, if we have a hot-temper, we’re going to pay for it. Isn’t the Bible practical? Don’t you wish you were as practical as it? With practice, you can be.

It may take some tongue-biting to develop the gentle patient ability to answer others calmly. It would be too simplistic to say this is what the world needs now. But It is what you and I need now. We need it in our families, at work, in traffic, and when someone asks us if we’re gaining weight. Come on, you know you’d be a happier person if you always gave a gentle answer.

In your anger do not sin!

Out Stretched Arms of Love

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There was a chill in the air. It wasn’t the preacher ~ he and his sermon were fired up. The building was warm. The enthusiasm for worship was obvious. But for a few people hurt feelings had poured water on the Spirit’s flame.

Bringing people together and making them one was Christ’s prayer, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20-21).

When brethren differ with each other, and at the same time love the Lord, reconciliation is often a hug away. Paul tells us how to walk through hurt feelings:

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:1-3).

The perfect answer to healing hurt feelings is running towards each other with out-stretched arms of love. It’s a God thing ~ outstretched arms of love!