"I [Jesus] have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
Everyday we all experience adversity, disappointments, losses, failures, difficult people, heartache - things that stir up the "old man" in us, our old nature, what has been surrendered and crucified. Things that might cause us to lose hope. The big question is, "How do we respond to that stirring?" Does it have it's way with us or is it put in its place? We can read the Bible all day long. You can agree with the rightness of what we read. And then when faced with the opportunity to apply it in some adverse circumstance, we turn to our old nature and respond in the flesh. Let 'er rip! We all fall victim to it now and again. It happens in a nano-second. It is not that we prefer to respond in the wrong way, but when our flesh is provoked, our flesh demands to have its way and to respond in kind. And sometimes, if we are not careful, we kill the proverbial gnat with a sledge hammer. Things can go sideways in an instant and there goes our Christian testimony.
So what to do. I mean responding in kind can seem so reasonable and justifiable, natural even. An eye for any eye, if you will. After all, isn't that in the Bible? My daughter found some WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets the other day and asked me if I wanted one. I gracefully declined. I told her that Christian accoutrements, trinkets, can become like a ring on your finger. When you first put it on you are aware of it, but soon you no longer feel it on your finger or even look at it for that matter. Besides, the real question is not what "Would" Jesus do, but "What DID Jesus Do and TELL us to do?" AS a reminder, this is what He said about getting back at others.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:38-48
Take it from me. Apart from the power of God in me, I could not do what Jesus said to do on my own and neither can you. God never tells us to do something that we can do by our will or won't power. It always requires the power of God in us (aka submitted to the Spirit of God and the Word of God.)
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." - James 1:2-3
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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