It Is Easier To Lose Your Witness Than You Think

“Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will only begin to complain and to indulge ourselves in the discontent of self-pity, as if to say, “Why should I be treated like this?.” – Oswald Chambers

When you read those words, does it seem right to you?  I mean shouldn’t you be shown kindness, especially if you have done nothing wrong?  Shouldn’t people who treat you poorly be dealt with – divinely?  Wouldn’t that make you feel better?  Let’s look at what Jesus had to say about it.

"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  (28)  bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.  (29)  To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.  (30)  Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.  (31)  And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” – Luke 6:27-31  

"If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.  (25)  But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.'” – John 15:24-25  

Most of us will agree that concept is good .. but when you are being treated poorly how do you feel .. what is it that you must control?  I sometimes say, tongue in cheek, ‘I don’t want to lose my witness’. What I am really saying is I don’t want to express what I am feeling and act on wanting to do.  That act would be contrary to my spiritual nature (Galatians 5:22-23) and totally consistent with my old nature (Galatians 5:19-21).  But, you know what?  It’s too late at that point.  You have already missed it (the mark of God’s will that is). You have already sinned. 

“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” – 1 John 3:15  

“We love Him because He first loved us.  (20)  If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?  (21)  And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” – 1 John 4:19-21  

You see it is the attitude of your heart .. it’s the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).  You don’t have to act on your sin to sin.  Thinking that so long as you didn’t do what you were thinking has stopped short of sin is not right thinking. 

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.'  (28)  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  – Matthew 5:27-28  

Remember David on the roof?  He had already sinned before Bathsheba ever entered his house.  Pretty high standard isn’t it.  It cannot be achieved through determination .. will power .. or won’t power … but only by the power of God in us.  Are there things in your life that you have been accommodating?  

Are you pretending that they didn’t matter .. Get your heart right … do not sin … James says that sin begins in our heart when we are tempted (James 1:12-15).. that is where it must end … It is only when we are spending time in the Word and with the Lord will we be able to stand against the temptation, but … that is another devotion for another day …

Shine bright today