Hi, this is Joni. Why don’t we sing this together as a prayer…
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
Well, we all sure do need God’s amazing grace, don’t we? There is not a one of us.
And I’m thinking today of my friend, Steve. He is a guy I know who really needs the message behind this beautiful old hymn because Steve needs amazing grace… because he has a problem – a real problem – with anger. Not long ago he shared that every time a certain man in his office walked by him that man always seemed give Steve condescending looks. He ignores Steve’s overtures. He wouldn’t answer Steve’s emails. He never brought Steve into important meetings. Well, my friend, Steve, finally got to the point of outright rage and he actually said, “I can see, I can understand why people actually murder other people.” That’s how out of control his anger had gotten. And Steve is a Christian!
To be honest, Steve is actually controlled, not by the Holy Spirit, but by this other man – his co-worker, his co-worker’s actions and attitudes. It’s obvious. But why is he angry? What’s at the root of it all? Well, chances are that Steve’s anger has something to do with his worship and his response to God's grace. Perhaps Steve worships at the altar of respect and he has not been given the respect he thinks he deserves. As a result, he can’t stand this co-worker and has virtually declared war on the man! But even more – and this is where Steve is struggling – even more, Steve is against God; he’s resisting the fact that God often uses irritating, difficult people – like that co-worker -- to refine us, to refine our faith, to change us, to transform us. Plus, Steve is resisting the grace God offers to help with that refinement! Instead of submitting to God's sovereign decisions and learning to employ grace to help him forgive and love, my friend is basically saying, “In this case? With this particular man? I’ll be God.” He desires autonomy and absolute rule in this situation at his place of work.
I’ve learned something from watching Steve. And here’s the general principle: your attitude toward God will be revealed in your worst human relationships. If you want to know your real attitude toward God, it will show up in the way you react in your worse relationships. If you hate someone, you are ultimately hating God. If you don’t forgive, you are usurping God's authority to act as judge. Steve reminds us that no one has to be taught idolatry. We can figure it out all by ourselves, just as Steve has made an idol out of other’s respect for him.
Well, my friend, Dr. Edward T. Welch, has written an excellent little booklet called “Motives: Why We Do the Things We Do.” It’s honest, it’s forthright, and it cuts to the core; plus it gives scriptural insight as to how to rise above anger and selfishness. I would love to send you a copy. All you have to do is visit me today at joniandfriendsradio.org. See you later, friend, until next time on Joni and Friends.
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