Friday, January 6
Let it go
Scripture: Matthew 5
Matthew 5:21–22 You have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment.
Matthew 5:43–45 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Observation
In this chapter full of shocking standards, these two stood out to me today.
Don’t be angry. Let go of your anger. Jesus raised the standard from “Don’t murder” to “don’t be angry.” I’m ok with don’t murder; I don’t do so well with don’t be angry.
Love your enemy and pray for him. Jesus raised the standard from “love your neighbor” to “love your enemy.” I’m ok with love your neighbor (most of the time); I don’t do so well with love your enemy.
Notice that when we love our enemies and pray for them that we become like our Father in heaven. That’s what He does.
Application
In 2019 I read Brant Hansen’s excellent book, Unoffendable, and then did a series of talks called Let it Go. They are some of the most important talks I’ve ever given—and letting go of your anger and bitterness and offense, and forgiving others is one of the most important and ignored truths of the Christian life.
And now…I’m struggling with my anger and willingness to forgive. Just in the last week, I’ve woken up multiple nights feeling hurt, offended, angry and unforgiving.
Today, I will meditate on these verses and ask Jesus for help in letting go of my hurt, anger, offense and unforgiveness. I may even read my own sermons—preach to myself! I know that my anger, offense and unforgiveness are hurting me and those closest to me. I must let it go.
Prayer: I love you Jesus. And right now I’m struggling to love my “enemies”—so help me! I need You. Help me let it go. And I pray, as You taught me, for blessing on those who hurt me. I want to be more like You—and this may be the hardest area to do that…so help me!