Everything you say and do makes a real difference

Anger is a natural human reaction and in itself is not a sin. “Be angry yet do not sin.” (Eph. 4:26) Like any other emotion whether it is legitimate or misguided, anger needs to be acknowledged. This acknowledgment is the first step towards a possible peaceful resolution.

It is also natural to respond to anger with anger. This is not a sin either, and it too must be acknowledged. Once both sides are acknowledged respectively an opportunity to withhold condemnation opens up, and a dialogue of mercy, forgiveness and grace can commence, making way for the healing power of hope to circumvent the conflict with peace.

That being said, anger can lead to sin when it is allowed to harden one’s heart, darken one’s mind and stiffen one’s back. Such conditions inevitably lead to actions of cruelty, violence, vengeance, prejudice and pride, all of which seem to be occurring more frequently as it spreads from one community to another, threatening world peace. It is extremely unsettling, and it seems the longer the unrest the greater the distrust and the easier it becomes to unleash one’s own bitterness. Ultimately, left unchecked, this fierce wrath will divide, conquer and destroy every community worldwide.

Some would have you believe that such actions are just and right because a wrong has been done to them. Some would even go so far as to say that the objects of their wrath deserves much worse. Now right before our eyes we see more and more people succumbing to the attitude that I can hurt you because you hurt me. Well, I am here to say that such an attitude is wrong and any action intent on harming another human being, no matter how small, is wrong too. The days of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth were supplanted by the way of the cross some two thousand years ago.

A movie came out recently called Heaven is for Real, raising a debate on the existence of heaven. But I think everyone has focused on the wrong question, and rather we need to seek the answer to “what makes heaven real?”

The truth is what makes heaven real is that it is not at all like the world we live in now. Because if sin were allowed in heaven just as it is on earth, then heaven would be no different than earth and there would be no real need for heaven to exist. Think about it. If we believe in cruelty on earth, we are likely to take this belief with us when we die and enter into the next life. If we believe in violence, we will probably take this with us too. And so on and so on. But if there is no sin in heaven and there is no place for cruelty, violence, vengeance, prejudice and pride in heaven, then logically the contrast between heaven and earth supports the probability of a higher state of being, and this is what makes heaven real.

“Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5-6).

Children, don’t be fooled by the reasoning that hurting those who hurt you is okay, because for real it isn’t okay. Harmful actions are counter productive and only complicate things all the more. I’m sure you heard the adage “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Well, words do hurt, and actions do cause harm. Everything that you say and do makes a real difference in the world around you whether you see it immediately or not. “Finally, brethren whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8 (Rom. 14:17-190)

Angel H. Clark-Hall

Coulee Dam