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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Dear Rev. Graham: Many people call themselves Christians and hide under something called righteous indignation. What does this actually mean? I thought Christians were to love and not judge others. Why must people think that God wants to put restraints on those who believe differently than the self-righteous? – F.R.

Dear F.R.: The Bible teaches that there is a righteous indignation that is legitimate and justified. In fact, if Christians do not have righteous indignation for ungodly behavior, we may actually be sinning. So there is a type of anger that is justified in the sight of God, but we are also called to operate in the spirit of love toward others.

Righteous indignation against sin, corruption, and immorality is all around us. We should not be silent about child pornography, violence and looting in the streets of our cities, and so on.

God knows that an uncontrolled life is an unhappy life, so He puts reins on our wayward souls so that they may be directed into the paths of righteousness that God has set forth. In the struggle for righteousness, there is nothing more helpful than being tuned in to Christ through His Spirit and being committed to doing His will. It has been said that in order to tune in to God’s voice, we must tune out this world’s noise. We live in a hostile world that constantly seeks to pull us away from God.

God has not changed. His laws have not changed. He is still a God of love and mercy – but He is also a God of righteousness and judgment.

There are many professed Christians who never get “wrought up” about anything; they never get indignant with injustice, with corruption in high places, or with the godless [trades] which barter away the souls and bodies of people. True Christians are carriers of God’s Word that instructs and guides.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)