The Christian and Anger

The Christian and Anger

“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.” 

James 1:19,20.

I have listened with alarm at those calling themselves Christians who get angry at anything that they feel God does not like.
I see and hear Christians particularly in the United States getting angry at as they would say the “homosexual” community and same sex marriage as well as same sex washrooms and it seems a myriad of other things connected with the LGBT community.
They get angry at elected government officials for passing laws that they object too. Saying God does not like such a thing.
They presume to know the mind of God and are trying to do his job when the apostle Paul specifically states,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? 

Are you not to judge those inside?” 

1 Corinthians 5:12.

Jesus said,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged,

 and with the measure you use, 

it will be measured to you.” 

Matthew 7:1,2

We live in a democracy that by its very nature must be inclusive irrespective of what one group may think. The apostle Paul wrote,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.
Thus according to non other than the apostle Paul governments are allowed to govern by God and by rebelling against a lawful, and especially, in my mind democratic government, we are rebelling against God.
James the half brother of Christ wrote,

“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.” 

James 1:19,20.

Those who claim to be Christians and are getting angry at the government for passing laws that don’t harm them or restrict their rights or the rights of others should take stock of what they are doing.
Getting angry as James said, “dose not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
What brings about a righteous life and brings people to know Christ is expressed by the writer of Hebrews who said,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

Hebrews 12:14.

The apostle Paul writes,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is 

love, joy, peace, patience, 

kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law.” 

Galatians 5:22,23

You can’t win anyone to the Lord with a fist in their face. Which is what your doing in trying to restrict the rights of anyone or demonstrating against them.
However if you are exhibiting the fruits of The Spirit you will win people to Christ.
As Christians we cannot do anything less than extend the hand of friendship to our neighbour, and even to our enemy. Only by doing so will we truly reach people for Christ.
As the writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

Hebrews 12:14

Is your life and actions exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit?
Are you living in Peace and living a holy life acceptable to God?
Please think about it.