THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF UNBRIDLED ANGER

THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF UNBRIDLED ANGER

Love is Not Easily Angered

The Most Excellent Way- Part VIII I Corinthians 13

I remember way back during my college days, one day my mother had asked me to call my sister to do some chores in the house. I went out and said to my sister, “Mum is calling you,” and my sister coolly ignored me in front of her friend. I got so angry at her response, my older brother pride got hurt by the way my sister paid no attention what I had to say. I lost control of my temper and punched right on her nose. Soon after I did that, I felt so ashamed of myself, but I also recognized the destructive power of my anger. I realized then, if I don’t deal with my anger problem right away, I may become an angry person and hurt others, so that day made a decision not to hit another person, especially when I am angry.

            That lead me to another problem, instead of expressing my anger appropriately I began to suppress it. Later I found out that too was not good for me, so I began to ask God to deliver me from anger outbursts.  I praise God by the help of God I began to control my anger and learning to express it appropriately. It is not to say that I never became angry since then, but one thing is for sure, I have not hit anyone out of anger. I can honestly say that I am in control of my anger.

            That is my story of anger. What is your story? I am sure each of us have a story to tell. When it comes to dealing with anger, we are not alone people have been struggling since the beginning. Anger is resident in all of our troubled hearts. It rises to the surface and gets expressed more times than we care to admit. So how are we to deal with this resident evil? How can we deal with the destructive power of unbridled anger? In our series called, “the Most Excellent Way,” we have learned so far that, Love is being patient, Love is kind, Loved does not envy, Love does not boast, Love is not arrogant, Love is not rude and Love is not selfish.

            Today we will learn about another aspect of what love is not, i.e, “Love is not easily angered.” When the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth about love is not easily angered he was warning them about, “THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF UNBRIDLED ANGER.”  Anger in and of itself is not bad, but the unbridled anger is destructive. Let’s see the context in which the Apostle Paul exhorted believers not to become easily angered.

THE BACKGROUND:

            The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian believers, to address certain worldly behaviors hurting the church and hindering the cause of Christ in Corinth. He reminded them that before they came to know Christ they were living in a prideful world, but now they were redeemed so they were to live differently. Paul himself stood as an example of someone whose life was radically transformed as he came in contact with the power of the love of God. Therefore speaking from experience, he introduced them to the most excellent way.

            The most excellent way is the way of Christ and it is the way of love. Paul showed them what love is, what love is not and then goes on to explain how they can shed some of the negative aspects that seemed to be crippling the Church. He told them if they truly want to live a life of love then they need to control their anger because true love is not easily angered. By saying he was not suggesting that they should never get angry, but not to be easily angered. In other words, “they were to learn to take control of their unbridled anger.

           

Let’s examine this emotion of anger that can easily get out of control. How can we define anger? Anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure or hostility.  It is a strong feeling of being upset or annoyed because of something wrong or bad happened: the feeling that makes someone want to hurt other people, or to shout, etc what does the bible say about anger?

I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ANGER?

            Where do we see anger manifest first? Anger was one of the many consequences of man’s rebellion against God. Anger was the root cause of the first murder in the Garden of Eden. It was the time for bringing offerings to God. Two brothers, Cain and Able brought their offerings. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. That made Cain “Very Angry” and his face was down cast.” Then the LORD said to Cain “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you but you “must rule over it.” In NASB it reads, “you must master it.”

            The Hebrew word, Mashal used here has several meanings: “to rule, to reign, to govern, to rule over, to have dominion, and to manage.” Instead of taking control over his anger, Cain let anger take control of him, which resulted in killing of his own brother. With that incident Cain lost favor from God for the rest of his life, and remained a wanderer. (Genesis 4: 2-8). Since that time anger has become man’s number one enemy to deal with. Coming back to our text, let’s see how this destructive power of unbridled anger has caused havoc in Corinthian Church. Quotes:

II. THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF UNBRIDLED ANGER

            Unbridled anger is often the root cause for hatred and violence among people. When anger is left uncontrolled it can ultimately lead to vitriolic hatred. Paul rightfully singles out anger as one of the opposites of love. He strongly recommends that Christians must overcome anger because “Love is not easily angered? Paul knew what he was talking about. He struggled with it. Formerly, he was known as Saul. In his un-regenerated life he was a passionate Jew. He entertained thoughts of inciting violence towards anyone who opposed his view especially the new band of Jesus-followers. He wanted to teach them a lesson by putting them in jail.

            In Acts 9:1-2, we read of angry Saul, “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any one who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” But all that was changed, when he had a divine encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. God changed an angry person into a broken and humble person. The persecutor now was willing to be persecuted for Christ. Paul obviously have seen anger manifested in the divisions, quarrels and jealousy and how anger was destroying relationships among the members.

            The believers in Corinth were living in a culture that was bent on destroying any sign of godliness among them. Instead of influencing the culture they were letting the culture influence them in the way they related with one another. Therefore he appealed to them to agree with one another. Initially he couldn’t address them as people who live by the Spirit but as people who were still worldly, mere infants in Christ. (I Corinthians 1:10-12; 3:3).

            Is our culture today any different than the one the Corinthian believers were called to tackle? No, the culture we are living in is no different than theirs. The present electoral mood in the country is one of anger. It appears to me a majority of people are simply angry at everything and everybody. In a culture that is bent on destroying spiritual morality, civility, and setting up people one against the other, what hope do we have?  As Christians, how can we be different and positively influence our culture? What solutions the scriptures and practical wisdom offer when it comes to dealing and possibly controlling this unbridled anger?

III. HOW TO OVERCOME UNBRIDLED ANGER?

            When it comes to dealing with our own anger, we always find someone to blame instead of taking responsibility. Or we justify saying this is how I have been raised, I can’t help.

            It runs deep in our family or as some Irish would say, I ‘am Irish! When we find ourselves angry, let’s not blame others or our culture for our anger problem, instead let’s pay attention to the power advice of the Apostle Paul on how best to deal with anger. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil…

            Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:26-32. This is the best scriptural teaching we can find on dealing with anger. Please read it at home, meditate on it, apply it and repent of your sin of anger and you will see victory over anger.

            More on a practical level. If you are given to anger outbursts, acknowledge that it is a serious problem and that it is destructive. Pause and think where is this anger coming from? How did your parents process anger? Intentionally, and momentarily move away from a situation or a person who is making you angry. Give space to yourself. Try to calm down. Find a confidant, a friend, a brother or sister in the Lord, talk with them and ask them to hold you accountable and support you as you work through this unbridled anger.

             In closing, we all struggle with anger more than we care to admit. The scriptures encourage us not to manage, but repent and get rid of our anger by all means possible. The only way we can have victory over this poisonous and self-destructive emotion, is by crying out to God for his mercy and forgiveness. Then asking the Holy Spirit to develop in us the fruit of the Spirit called “gentleness” the opposite of anger. Then only we will be free from this destructive power of unbridled anger, and continue to walk and live on the most excellent way. Amen

             

           

                        

THE CRIPPLING IMPACT OF SELFISHNESS

THE CRIPPLING IMPACT OF SELFISHNESS

Love is Not Selfish

The Most Excellent Way- Part VII I Corinthians 13

           I remember in my elementary school, one particular teacher was hated by all students in the class, because she wanted children to learn how to share their things with others. So she employed a method. If anyone brought a candy to the class, she insisted that they should share with others or they should not bring it at all. When she saw someone eating without sharing, she would break it into ten pieces and give it others, of course she would give the biggest piece to the owner of the candy. In the end the whole class was very happy.

            You may call it a form of socialism, but that taught us a valuable lesson of the joy of sharing. I grew up in that kind of an environment where we have looked after each other’s needs, and shared things commonly. By and large you see this kind of sharing and caring attitude in the eastern and developing countries. I was rudely shocked when I joined Youth With A Mission, and when I saw my fellow western missionary, eating an entire scope of ice-cream, without blinking an eye and without offering to buy me a scoop as well! I thought to myself it was inhuman! How could he just eat like that without considering his brother in the Lord!

            That made me wonder, about the inconsideration, and selfish nature of people. Not to blame any one particular culture, we all have a certain selfish nature in us unless we were raised and taught differently. That is why it is so important we teach our children how to share their things with others, because there is true satisfaction and joy in sharing and caring for others. For the past several weeks we have been on a Journey to teach ourselves some valuable lessons. Our hope is that by practicing these lessons we would become better people and our church would become a safe haven, where there will be love, harmony and mutual respect for each other.

            In our series on the Most Excellent Way, so far we have looked at: Love is being patient, Love is kind, Loved does not envy, Love does not boast and Love is not arrogant and Love is not rude. Today we will learn about another negative we have to lay down i.e “not self-seeking” When the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth about love is not self-seeking he was warning them about, “THE CRIPPLING IMPACT OF SELFISHNESS. Let’s see the context in which the Apostle Paul exhorted believers to have genuine concern for other’s needs.

THE BACKGROUND:

            The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian believers, prompted by a report received by one of the house group leaders. That report contained, how some were, boasting, impatient, proud of their sexual exploits, arrogant, divided, unkind, rude, obsessed with their own concerns and oblivious of other’s needs. As a responsible church planter, Paul wanted to straighten out those inconsistencies. He reminded them that before they came to know Christ they were living in a prideful world, but now they were redeemed so now they were to live differently. He showed them the most excellent way of living by saying, “Love is not selfish”

            Before we see the crippling impact of selfishness, let’s establish what selfishness is?  A selfish person is someone who is devoted to or caring only for oneself. Concerned primarily with one’s own interests, benefits, welfare etc, regardless of others. Selfishness is lacking consideration for others. Selfishness focuses on one’s own needs while ignoring other’s needs. Selfishness knows only three words: Me, Myself and Mine.” In other words, “It is all about me.”  

Whether we like it or not from time to time we come across those we call “selfish brats” Martin Luther King, Jr, this had to say about selfishness: “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”

I. THE CRIPPLING IMPACT OF SELFISHNESS

            The culture we are living in is becoming more and more selfish and self-centered. Selfishness is often one of the root causes for breakdown in relationships especially when it comes to divorce. One of the reasons why most couples divorce is, due to, “Irreconcilable Differences.” It is another way to say, “I am selfish, I only want to have my way and I cannot tolerate your point of view anymore.” That kind of attitude can truly damage relationships. Unfortunately, many marriages ended in divorce, families split due to selfishness.

            How does selfishness manifest? Selfishness comes in many ways. It may be through our work, our play our job, and through our possessions. Selfishness may be evident to many, or to some, or just a few. No matter how we see it, we all suffer from this common illness: selfishness. It is in the fiber of our fallen being. And our souls are desperate for it to be redeemed.

            When Paul was writing to the Corinthians, all of his teachings were in rebuttal to their propensity to insist on their own way. Therefore Paul’s exhorts them not to live in the same way as their culture, which was pagan, and immoral. He offered the Corinthians a new and liberating way of handling their self-absorbed, divisive habits. Paul writing to the believers in Rome, encouraged them to no longer be self-serving, but instead to love one another with sincerity.  Romans 12:10-11, “Let us have real warm affection for one another as between brothers, and a willingness to let the other man have the credit. Let us not allow slackness to spoil our work and let us keep the fires of the spirit burning, as we do our work for God.”

II. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SELFISHNESS?

            Several scriptures in the Bible allude to the fact that selfishness is indeed crippling and the people of God must stay away from it, and cultivate Christ centeredness and others centeredness. Love is not selfish. Consider the following scriptures:

            We will see how a selfishness separated close relatives. “Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company.”Gen 13:10-11.

            Another story of how selfishness can breed contempt and make people disregard others. This story is found in I Samuel 25. Let me summarize: David was running away from Saul, moving through the Desert of Paran. There was a very wealthy man named Nabal, literally means, “Fool” It was during a festive time, David sends his mean to Nabal to seek from him some sheep, so that they can have a feast. Nabal refuses to give any sheep instead he hurls insults at David and his men. Listen to his words of contempt:

            “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their master these days. Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?” Can you hear the tone of sarcasm and lack of concern for others in Nabal? His response angered David and his men, if it was not the intervention of Nabal’s wise wife Abigal, Nabal would have been killed by David.

            After ten days the Lord strikes Nabal dead. When David heard, Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the LORD, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrong doing down on his head.” I Samuel.  This is another clear indication when people mistreat you with contempt and disrespect, don’t fret or take matters into your hands, instead take your case to God, and God knows how to deal with your adversaries and show you His favor, kindness and provision.

             Have you wondered what causes fights and quarrel among people? Do you know what promotes evil in the society? It is often the selfishness. The Apostle James shows the difference between worldly wisdom and the wisdom comes from God “Are there those among you who are truly wise and understanding? Then they should show it by living right and doing good things with a gentleness that comes from wisdom. But if you are selfish and have bitter jealousy in your hearts, do not brag. Your bragging is a lie that hides the truth. That kind of “wisdom” does not come from God but from the world. It is not spiritual; it is from the devil. Where jealousy and selfishness are, there will be confusion and every kind of evil.” James 3:13-14 (NCV)

III. HOW CAN WE OVERCOME SELFISHNESS?

            When it comes to dealing with selfishness, let’s head the advice the Apostle Paul gave to the Corinthian Church: Love is not selfish. Through his self-sacrificial living Paul showed them what a blessing it is to not to be self –seeking but seek the welfare of others. In the end through your giving of yourself to others many people can get saved. Paul overcame selfishness in his own life by serving others and taking care of their needs. So he could say, “When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.” Philippians 2:3

            The Apostle Paul predicted, that would be the case in the last days. But he also exhorted that, Christ’s disciples should be different than the rest of the world in living lives of love and selflessness. 2 Timothy 3:1-6, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men, will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant…. Avoid such men as these” Let’s dig a bit deeper this phrase: “Lovers of self.” In NIV it reads, “Lovers of themselves”

            What does, lovers of self, mean?  The Greek word used here is “Philautos” literally means loving himself. In reality it not the one who simply loves himself, but one who loves himself more than he ought to, involving self-conceit and selfishness.  A person who is characterized by an undue sparing of self and whose primary concern is that the things be easy and pleasant for himself or herself.”

            Keeping that definition in mind let’s head Paul’s exhortation to Timothy. When it comes to think of it, not only Timothy, but many in the Church History and even modern times who did not care about their lives when it comes to taking care of the needs of others and taking the gospel to the most dangerous places on earth. So that through their unselfishness and relentless love for others many have come into the kingdom of God. That is what it means when Paul said, Love is not selfish, it means if you love God and others then you are willing to let go of your own legitimate comforts so that others would come to experience the forgiving love of God.

            So dear friends, in a world where everybody is unto themselves, only care about their own needs and their family’s needs, how can we be unselfish and model Christ’s nature? On our own strength, we cannot, but by the grace of God and through the power of His Holy Spirit we can. As we are committed to walk the Most excellent way. I would like us to emulate a modern-day saint, Pope Francis, who has adopted this Most Excellent Way as a way of living.

            Pope Francis’ selfless, simple and humble living, challenges the many affluent and proud people around the world. Let me close with his quote: “We have observed that, in society and the world in which we live, selfishness has increased more than love for others, and that men of good will must work, each with his own strengths and expertise, to ensure that love for others increases until it is equal and possibly exceeds love for oneself.” Amen

             

           

                        

THE ABUSIVE POWER OF RUDENESS

THE ABUSIVE POWER OF RUDENESS

Love is Not Proud

The Most Excellent Way- Part V I Corinthians 13

            A story was told a few years ago about an actor who was playing the part of Christ in a “Passion Play. “As he carried the cross up the hill a bystander in the crowd began heckling him, & shouting insults. Finally, the actor had taken all of it he could take. So he threw down his cross, walked over to the bystander, & punched him.

            After the play was over, the director told him, "I know he was a pest, but I have to fire you. We just can't have you behaving this way while playing the part of Jesus." The actor begged, "Please give me one more chance. I can handle it if it happens again." So the director decided to give him another chance. The next day he was once again carrying his cross up the street. Sure enough, the heckler was back. You could tell that the actor was really trying to control himself, but it was about to get the best of him. He was clenching his fists & grinding his teeth.  Finally, he looked at the heckler & said, "I'll meet you after the resurrection!"[1]

            This illustrates, that the world places certain expectations on the behavior of Christians. We know, sometimes it is hard for those who profess to be Christians to behave like Christians should. We try to carry our crosses, but if someone crosses us, we tend to lose our composure & behave in much the same way the rest of the world behaves. We have been on a journey to discover how we could be the trend setters rather than the followers of a trend. How can we regain and walk by biblical morals in a culture that is drifting away from morality?

            In our series on the Most Excellent Way, so far we have looked at: Love is being patient, Love is kind, Loved does not envy, Love does not boast and Love is not arrogant. Today we will look at “THE ABUSIVE POWER OF RUDENESS” When the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth about love not being rude, he was warning them about the abusive power of rudeness and how being rude to others can damage them and eventually destroy relationships. Let’s see the context in which the Apostle Paul exhorted believers not to be rude.

THE BACKGROUND:

            The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian believers, prompted by a report received by one of the house group leaders. That report contained, how some were, boasting, impatient, proud of their sexual exploits, arrogant, divided, unkind and even rude, or acting unbecomingly to others. As a responsible church planter, Paul addressed some of these problems initially through his writings. He reminded them of their past worldly way of living. They were not to boast about such living, instead as the redeemed now they were to live differently. He showed them the most excellent way of living by exhorting them not to be rude to one another.

            Before we delve deep into the abusive power of rudeness, let’s establish what rudeness is.  The dictionary defines rudeness as lacking in manners, discourtesy or inconsiderate behavior. Synonyms: Impoliteness, bad manners, incivility, disrespect, ungraciousness, boorishness, and crassness etc. A couple of quotes on rudeness: “Never respond to rudeness. When people are rude to you, they reveal who they are, not who you are. Don’t take it personally be silent.”

The twentieth century American social philosopher Eric Hoffer once said, “Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.” Steve Macchia, modifies this to read, “Rudeness is the self-protected and highly manipulative person’s projection of power.”

I. THE ABUSIVE POWER OF RUDENESS

            Steve goes on to explain the basis of rudeness and its false projection in the world, and how we can show power differently. “Rudeness is based in the need to be in control, to be right, to be strong in what the world says strength looks like: power over others. To be powerful over another doesn’t necessarily mean strength, for strength as we have been unpacking in, the Most Excellent Way series can also be shown more effectively through kindness and humility.”

            How is rudeness conveyed? It is exhibited in various ways.  It can burst out through a foul mouth or crude and inappropriate speech.  Just like what millions of Americans were shocked to hear in an audio tape last week, where a presidential nominee made lewd comments and simply reduced them to “Locker room Banter.” Really? Undoubtedly, those comments were rude and disrespectful of women everywhere. Locker room talk that demeans and objectify women is never acceptable by any standards and anywhere.  We need to teach our boys and men to learn to respect all women and treat them with dignity.

            Rudeness can be expressed through inappropriate body gestures. It can be conveyed by inappropriately touching the opposite gender without their consent. It can be seen when people are rough with others and when they bully others. You can be rude to people when you ignore them, don’t respond to their questions, and bury yourself in your I-phone or books. Rudeness can overwhelm another by showing little concern or regard for that person’s personal property or space. It can disturb the mind, destroy the heart, or dismantle the morality of others. In essence a rudeness of personhood is abuse of power by seeking outright control and manipulation.

            One thing is consistently true about every rude person: they must set the agenda. They must be in control. When Paul is writing, “love is not rude,” he is saying, “love doesn’t abuse power, it doesn’t set the agenda and it doesn’t manipulate.”

            To the Corinthian believers Paul in essence saying, “I am calling to you to the most excellent way to lead and serve others, in Jesus’ name and it is all about love. This love is not rude, it is not obnoxious, nor irreverent. It does not control others. This love does not serve its own needs, and push its agenda on others. Oh how I wish the, American electorate and those who are running for the office listen to this message?

II. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT RUDENESS?

            Several scriptures in the Bible allude to the fact that through our words and actions we may be rude to others. We may be disrespectful and demean others, hence by all means we need to stop being rude. Consider the following: “Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” Proverbs 18:19-21, (The Message)

            Psalm 140:1-3, “Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.” Selah, let’s pause and note what damage rudeness can do to people. Therefore we are encouraged to get rid of all forms of rudeness. Col 3:8, “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”

            Let me share a biblical story where rudeness showed its abusive power. This was the time when David along with his men fleeing Jerusalem because he was afraid of his son Absalom.  As King David approached Bahurim, a man named Shimei son of Gera began to throw stones at David and his men. Not only that he began to “curse David saying, “Get out, get out you murderer, you scoundrel” Do you think these are appropriate words that someone should use against a King?  David’s men were outraged naturally at those rude comments of Shimei.

            One of the indignant officer said to the king, why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.” Talk about retaliation and vengeance towards the one who was rude to the king. David, did not react but responded in the opposite spirit. He said, “Leave him alone, let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today. So David and his men continued along the way, Shimei continued his insults and rude comments, cursing, throwing stones and showering David with dirt.” (I Samuel 16:5-13)

            This is a beautiful example of how we are to respond to rudeness. In a dog eat dog world, what David did was commendable and counter cultural. Kind David, took a higher road, he did not go down on the road of retaliation. When stones and dirt were thrown at him he kept his cool, and entrusted himself to the one who says, “Vengeance is Mine.”

            Romans 12:17:21 “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” What a powerful scripture, that can defuse the power of rudeness.

            If nothing else in the bible we follow but just this one scripture, I believe, we will indeed have a great nation that trusts and serves God alone. We will have a nation that honors and respects all human beings regardless of their race, background and ethnicity. This can only be possible, when we all cultivate the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is gentleness and develop the attitude of Jesus Christ, and continue to aspire to live the most excellent way.

III. HOW CAN WE RESPOND TO RUDENESS?

            When it comes to dealing with rudeness, let’s not forget the fact that the Apostle Paul wrote to a divided Church in Corinth, and to each one of us today: Love is never rude.  In the world people may be rude to one another and abuse their power and become disrespectful of others, whereas in the church we are called to be people of grace and humility. When we practice love, we will become kinder people, because love simply has no place for rudeness.

            When people become rude to you unduly, hurl insults at you and call you by all names, and even mistreat you inappropriately, how are you to respond? Do you fight back and retaliate? That is the worldly way of reacting, but those who choose to live the most excellent way will respond like the King David responded in the OT, and Jesus the son of David in the N.T

            When it comes to responding to rudeness let’s have the attitude of Jesus: He was called all kinds of names, such as, glutton, drunkard, deceiver, people picked up stones to throw at him, he was humiliated, mocked, spat upon, slapped, pulled by his beard, in the end he was nailed to the cross. Jesus endured the worst kind of rudeness that no one has ever encountered since then, yet He did not retaliate.

Isaiah 53:7, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”, not only that, He prayed for his persecutors, saying, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

            Dear friends in responding to rudeness, Jesus is our role model, and His way is the most excellent way for us to follow. In closing, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Romans 12:2-3. Amen

             

           

                        

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[1] http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-most-excellent-way-melvin-newland-sermon-on-christian-love-32363.asp