Week 4 | Day 5 | Less Anger & Self-Righteous, More Grace & Humility

Command:

Do not be angry. Matthew 5:21-25 (NIV)

Read:

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5 

Reflect:

I played basketball back in high school. There was one time when we were playing on our rival’s home court. One of the players on the opposite team was purposefully aggressive towards me and my teammates. She continued to taunt us with such disrespect, so I decided to take it upon myself to teach her a lesson. Although it resulted in me being pulled from the game, It was worth it.

Later that night, our boys’ team played the same school, but this time on our campus. Guess who walks right into our gym? The same player I had a run in with earlier. By the end of the game there were two girls punching it out in front of the gym. It was a scene!  

I lived my life feeling like I had to stick up for myself in such an angry way. Physical confrontation was my solution… until Jesus showed me another way.  

Read today’s verse again. “It” refers to love. 1 John 4:16 says, “so we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” God IS love.  

Jesus shows me what his love is like. He does not dishonor others. He is not easily angered. As I remain in him, he shows me a different way to live; a life full of love, less anger and self-righteousness, and more grace and humility.

React:

Your will alone cannot change your ways. How are you remaining in Christ so he can transform you from the inside out?

Pray:

Jesus make your ways my ways. I pray you transform my heart from the inside out.