Don't Kill People

Practical does not always mean quick and easy, but that is often what we mean or expect. Jesus is practical. That doesn't mean that his way is always quick or easy, but it is always very practical.

When Jesus teaches on murder in Matthew 5, he tells people that those who murder are subject to judgment. The interesting thing is that Jesus takes that even further and says that anyone who is angry is subject to judgment. Many people, then, think that Jesus is being impossible here, telling people to not even get angry. But if we look closely, we see that Jesus isn't telling people to not be angry. He's just saying that those who are angry are subject to judgement just as those who murder.

I believe Jesus is describing a cycle that we can get into where anger builds up and ferments in our hearts. That anger will reap undesired consequences in our lives. Maybe you have experienced those consequences yourself.

However, like I said, Jesus is always practical. In this passage Jesus gives practical steps we can take to free us from the cycle of anger. Jesus says that if you are offering your gift to God and you remember that someone has something against you, leave your gift, go, and be reconciled to that person.

It's not necessarily easy advice. It's not necessarily quick. But it is practical, and it can be transformational.

It was great to worship with you all this week! God bless you and I will see you next week at the Gathering.

-Tim