It is true that most of our anger is dangerous and destructive. This is because it is idolatrous anger. I do not get angry because of your brokenness or the world's brokenness, but because in your brokenness you get in the way of what I crave! On the cross, Christ died to free us from this kind of anger, but not from anger. . . .(Emphasis and spacing breaks mine.)
Jesus died to produce a culture of people who are so in love with him, so committed to his righteous cause, and so distressed by what sin has done to them and their world, that they cannot help but be angry every day. This is not the old, selfish, unholy anger. These people are good and angry at the same time.
This new anger is an unquenchable zeal for God's cause and an uncompromising distaste for sin.
It is the anger of compassion that cannot help but seek to relieve people who are suffering from sin's damage.
It is the anger of mercy that responds to the foolishness of sin with understanding and grace.
It is the anger of restoration that refuses to condemn, but believes that rebels can be built into the likeness of Jesus.
It is the anger of service that finds delight in helping burdened pilgrims bear their load.
It is the anger of peace that hates division that sin has birthed in our world and does everything that can be done to restore harmony.
It is the anger of forgiveness that hates sin's guilt and despises its shame.
Jesus died not only to free you from your anger, but to enable you to take up his righteous anger.
He died so that you would not rage inside because people and circumstances loom as constant obstacles to the realization of your little kingdom cravings.
He died so that you would not be captive to the self-absorbed anger of your claustrophobic little kingdom.
He died so that you would be angry with sin and the way it has harmed you and everyone around you.
He died so that you would be angry at the way sin has damaged the world you live in.
He died so that your anger would be holy and pleasing to him.
He died so that your anger would propel you to act in deeds of mercy, love, forgiveness, compassion, restoration, and peace.
For more, check out Tripp's seminar, How to Be Good and Angry (DVD or CD).
