Huge 6’7” Sam (name changed to protect the guilty) had vehement anger issues. He was massive and he was feared. The smallest thing could set him off and, when his rage mixed with alcohol or drugs, he was dangerous. It was those he claimed to love that took the brunt of it. Smashed doors, holes in the wall, and bruises on his wife.
His wife put her trust in the Lord shortly into their marriage. Sam secretly loved the changes in her and she shared the love of Christ for him daily. Sam tried AA and various self-help programs. But finally, a fit of uncontrollable rage landed him in the Psych Ward of the hospital where he stormed against the padded metal walls until he was spent. Sitting down in shame and a torrent of tears, he opened his heart to Jesus Christ, and begged for deliverance from himself. Jesus saved him.
The Lord told his wayward people: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then neither may you also do good, that are accustomed to do evil” (Jeremiah 13:23). The human heart needs transformation by the power of God, not self-reformation. This is the offer of the Cross… “For He who knew no sin was made sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God through Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Sam became known as the “Gentle Giant.” Kids adore him and his arms fly open for everyone at the Church they attend. Sam’s own testimony is that the old Sam died on the Cross with Jesus. The anger is gone – not merely suppressed – but gone, and now He grows and walks in newness of life by the power of God.
Where there is genuine repentance there is genuine salvation, and fruit to prove it... “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, slowness to anger, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness (kindness when provoked), self-control: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh nature with its affections and wrong desires. Since we live by the Spirit’s presence, let us also walk (life, actions, words) by the Spirit’s power” (Galatians 5:22-25).
Thank You, Lord Jesus.
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