Anger is such a deceptive emotion.  Many feel justified in their anger because there is much injustice in our world.  But where anger promises justice it only delivers bondage.  

Jesus helps us see the importance of unity through reconciliation and forgiveness, and how crucial it is to address anger before it brings division and destruction to the body of Christ. 

Observations

1. The spirit of the law matters, not just the letter only
2. Obedience to the law isn’t in action only, but heart and motives too
3. The true law is promoting the positive development of spiritual character not mechanical righteous of avoiding the negative prohibitions (Thou shalt not…)
4. The law is not an end in itself but a means by which you might know God

Conclusions:

1. Forgiveness is the antidote to anger
2. Your relationship with God is affected by your relationship with one another
3. You can’t hide your heart from God’s judgment
4. Unity in the church is dependent on you
5. Unity in the church is of highest priority to God
6. Resentment, anger, offense, bitterness, gossip are cancer to church unity
7. Your attitude will ultimately be judged by God

Application: 

• To the Christian?
  – Who do you need to forgive today?
• To the non-Christian?
  – What do you owe God?

1 John 2:9-11

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.”

Hebrews 4:12-13

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Colossians 3:8-10

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”