Raca

“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” Matthew 5:22

The word Raca comes from the Aramaic term reqa. It was a derogatory expression meaning “empty-headed,” insinuating a person’s stupidity. It was offensive during the time of our Lord on earth. Nowadays, it has become too common for someone to call others stupid or idiot. Many use our Lord’s name as a curse word or swear with the worst kinds of words, just like chewing a piece of gum. Most believe they are entitled to do so and expect certain respect from others. I don’t understand. What kind of respect can be expected by doing things that affect the salvation of the very own soul?

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Luke 6:46-48 (NIV)

As Christ’s followers, we believe 100% what Jesus said, or we don’t. We trust Him 100%, or we don’t. 99% is not 100%. There is nothing in between. If there is anything that the enemy is telling you otherwise, you can choose to reject that lie. After all, it is always Free Will.

In the previous Daily Cross, we talked about unconditional love. Most Christians know what it means to love and expect nothing in return. Some may say that’s something only our Lord could do because He is God. When someone close to us says something that affects our dignity or pride, we react defensively. Sometimes, we even retaliate. At that moment, we completely forget our Lord’s commands because of our pride and anger. Some justify it by saying it is righteous anger. Is it?

We say to ourselves that we love our family. We love our spouses, our parents, and our children. We will lay down our lives for them. The apostle Peter said the same and later denied our Lord three times. If someone is willing to lay down one’s life for others, that’s our Lord’s definition of unconditional love. It means that when your loved ones are about to fall into a lake of fire, you will do everything in your power to pull them out of danger and save them.

Next time, before you react with your anger when your wife or husband, sons or daughters, dad or mom call you something that affects your pride, keep your mouth closed, go to an inner room, humble yourself, kneel and pray for them instead of reacting defensively. You will not be able to change them, but God can. This is the definition of denying oneself and picking up the cross.

You may have just saved yourself and your loved ones from the lake of fire.

BecomElects Ministry