A Heart of Flesh

First of all,

you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come,

scoffing and following their own evil desires.

They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? “

2 Peter 3:3-4

I read the newspaper and got angry – again.  The article is entitled, “Once Scorned, but on Revenge Sites, Twice Hurt”.  Essentially, in the aftermath of a breakup, ex-boyfriends are now posting naked pictures of their ex-girlfriends on “revenge websites”.  The article discusses the movement among victims to impose legal penalties.

I took a few minutes to ask myself why this kind of stuff makes me so angry, especially when it has nothing to do with me (thank God!).  I should praise God that He’s given me a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), one that is empathic and can “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).  I’m able to envision the shame and rage that someone would feel if they were put in that situation; and able to feel their anger and being helpless to prevent their victimization & humiliation.

I get angry because I forget that the “Lord is not slow in keeping His promise” to bring justice.  One of the things that is especially hard for me to remember is that, for the wicked, just being who they are is a punishment.  When I’m angry, it’s an uncomfortable feeling.  I get hot.  I feel tense.  I get headaches.  I don’t like being really angry, because it just doesn’t feel good.  Yet, because I’ve put my faith in Christ, I’m one of the righteous.  I’m a daughter of God & a royal priest (1 Peter 2:9).  I get relief from my anger in Jesus Christ.

However, where’s your relief when you have a heart of stone, unable to forgive, angry & vengeful all the time, and bent on the destruction (literally or metaphorically) of other people?  Even though the wicked sometimes appear to be flourishing like a green tree, they must be miserable on the inside.  They say “misery loves company”.  Think of what kind of torment a person must be feeling on the inside in order to treat someone else so horribly, and pray for them (Luke 6:28).

Pray – and make sure they pay hefty fines & go to jail.  I posted the article below.  I hope you have a heart of flesh, too.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/us/victims-push-laws-to-end-online-revenge-posts.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,

and a thousand years are like a day.

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.

He is patient with you, not waking anyone to perish,

but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9