If you knew I was a Christian and I was promoting the Christian religion, would you listen to me? If I said. “I love you and I’m angry with you.” would you listen to me. Our God is the only god I know who is a model of loving with anger.
Our God can save us. He can, will and has changed our hearts. Can He change my behavior? Yes, I believe He can. But, I also believe He chooses not to change my behavior. So, how does that work for us? Think about it, it works better than all the other things we have tried and are still trying. Would it not be great if we were able to love our families, friends and neighbors even when we were angry with them? Or, if they were able to do the same for us?
If God can and has changed my heart, what is my job? Am I to be directed by this change in my heart? Or, am I to resist and oppose the change in my heart? An effort to resist may lead me to drink or do drugs or steal or lie. If God changes my heart to be like He wants, there would be little resistance from the inside to do whatever God wants me to do. However, there might be considerable resistance from the outside. And, if that resistance makes me angry, how should I respond? My changed heart might tell me one thing but my nature might tend to resort to my past habits.
Refer to Romans 8:28 And, we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,...
Also, read the story of Joseph in Genesis. You can start at Gen 37:1 and read through Gen 45. Especially concentrate on the first and last chapters.
Joseph forgives his brothers because he has discovered it all happened because of the will of God. The good and perfect will of God.
How is the good and perfect will of God working for you? Is it not working so well? Why? Who is in the way?
