The media contains story after story of
murder, deaths, police conflicts, race
baiting, child abuse, bullying
and terrorism. This world is being torn apart by anger. Our society is driven by anger. More often a scowl and harsh
words exchanged
by couples are seen than kindness
or soft gestures. Walking down city
streets, people don’t make much eye contact and smiles
are rare.
The kindness
that Jesus taught
so long ago is lost
in simple every day contacts. We are a world that has no
compassion or caring. It doesn’t
take so much to sit
down and talk
to someone who is obviously
struggling. In coming to know that
person, even for a little while, we can give compassion
in simply caring
about what they have to say.
It doesn’t take the time consuming decisions
of a committee
or the actions
of a community
group to provide compassion. Anger and pain can be lifted simple by sitting
down and talking to someone,
one to one, listening,
and if it’s possible, helping
in some way. Showing that we care about each other has got to
start
with one
person at a time, one Christian at
a time giving a hand
up, an ear, a few minutes that
it takes to lift
someone’s spirits. It only takes a minute
to say “God bless you, thank you”. It
could be the nicest
thing someone hears
all day and it does make a difference. These are
words that are preached
and taught
by Pastor John
Collins, evangelist, of Love
that Cross Ministries and Revival.
Evangelist Pastor John Collins
began a revival
of awakening in Wyoming. That awakening stirs the spirit of those who hear him. From a pulpit or behind the microphone
of a recording studio, his words are Biblically correct. Anger that
is of resentment,
jealousy and hate is keeping
us from the love
of God, and angry words meant to hurt and sting are not Christ-like. Anger and the
repercussions
of it have been part of the human process
ever since Adam and Eve were evicted from the Garden of Eden. They had two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain worked the fields and Abel kept
flocks. Through their faith in God, they
gave an offering
to God of their efforts. God looked
favorably on Abel’s but Cain’s God did
not. Cain
became
jealous of Abel and angry. God taught Cain
that if he would do
right, his would be accepted,
but if he didn’t do right, sin would take over, that Cain
needed to rule over sin…that
of jealousy
and anger.
“Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass,
when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and
killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said,
“I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” And He said, “What have you done?
The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” Genesis
4:8-10. Cain murdered his brother out of
jealousy, envy, and anger and in turn lied to God.
Evangelist Pastor John Collins
puts it this way: “Cain killed Abel. Esau sold his birthright and Jacob stole
Esau’s blessing which resulted in hatred and animosity that
grew between Edom and Israel. The sons
of Jacob, brothers of Joseph, sold Joseph into slavery out of jealousy. The
Benjamites, a tribe of Israel, were nearly destroyed
by their brethren, all the other tribes of Israel. The house of Saul and the house of David were
at war a long time, Judah and Israel fought against each other. These are only a few examples
within the family
of God’s chosen
people. The Gentiles
have their history of fighting
and wars
against themselves just the same as the Jews. We have our reality of wars around the world within countries
that are not
our own.
In our country we have gangs,
murders, and families
at war with children
fighting, parents
fighting and friends
fighting too.
Just because
something has been done
since the beginning
of time
does not
make it okay for it
to continue.
What is driving
the anger
and lack of compassion and kindness
in our time? When will we learn that the smallest seeds of bitterness
and resentment
as well as jealousy
and envy
will grow to become hatred
and hurt if watered? Why do
we not realize that the ground
is screaming from the blood that has been shed? Why do we not stop and realize
that our Lord is not served in our anger and vengeance? God has said that
vengeance is His and so it is. It is not for us to take out our anger on
another. It is not for us to engage in bickering and arguing that just leads to
more and more anger. It is not for us to hold on to these hateful feelings and
be consumed by them.
We can do better. We can become peaceful people, if we
choose. We each choose our own actions and reactions and that is where our
faith will lead us to choose the right and righteous path if we rely on Jesus
Christ to guide us. You see, it may not be for you to solve the world’s
problems but you can definitely solve your own with the help of the Lord. You
can pray for those that are caught up in civil wars and you can make sure that
your world is one of peace. You can encourage love and kindness in others by
living a life that serves Christ.”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom
of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed
are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the
merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they
shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of
God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3-10
