02/05/2020
Do we ever find ourselves mocked and treated poorly because of our faith? Are we physically beaten, passed over for promotions at work, or simply made fun of? It seems that we can’t remain invisible to those who do not believe as we do, but why is this so? Well, to those who are not of faith we are a constant reminder to their soul of the fallen state it is in. I am not certain that their conscious mind even knows why they find us repulsive, aggravating, an object of scorn to be humiliated... or in some dire cases, a person to be eliminated; perhaps even killed.
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
Isaiah 53:3 ESV
I was raised as a military child in the 1950s and as such my family moved on an average of every three years. this meant that I was almost always guaranteed to be the new kid on the block, and in school, so with each move I was forced to make a new set of friends... and was confronted by a new group of bullies. Given this reality, what did I do?
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”
Romans 12:14 ESV
Unfortunately the new kid couldn’t just find a friend, and quietly go about his life... he would be forced into confrontations until every testosterone filled boy in school, and neighborhood, knew where they stood in relationship to him. This meant fighting on the playground, and after school on the way home, or if you were lucky, a simple pushing match to resolve a contest of strength. In those days I had not mastered being non-combative, and my strength in faith and humility wasn’t sufficient, so instead I became proficient in the art of conflict. Life confronts Christians in the same way that it did new kids on a 1950s schoolyard in a rough neighborhood. It makes us the target of disdain and aggression to many of those around us, and it requires a trial by fire before peace returns. However our trial by fire as Christians demands something different of us, a passive strength, like turning the other cheek, and facing physical challenges in a nonviolent way... not with fisticuffs... although on occasion there will be no escaping that.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Romans 12:18 ESV
We are told in this scripture that there will be times when we can’t live in peace because doing so will be out of our control; it won’t depend on us, and will either require self defense, suffering, or going before God into battle. Sometimes we will have to turn over a few tables in the temple before peace can return, and by our wounds others can be healed.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5 ESV
So we are going to face conflict in our lives, be despised by others , and even forced into situations that will require us to defend ourselves. Many say we are to be passive at all cost, and quote Scriptures like this to make their point...
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."”
Romans 12:19 ESV
But, this scripture is pulled from context to do so. Listen to the full passage, and notice that it includes our previous verse that stipulates “If possible, so far as it depends on you“....
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:17-21 ESV
In this passage we are told to live honorably, leave retribution for the harmful things that are done to us in the hands of God, and are not to seek such things as revenge, or perpetrate wrath. We are told to strive for peace where possible, and to even go to great extents in doing so by feeding, and giving drink to our enemies, as a form of self defense.... this heaps burning coals on their heads. In the end we are told to do those things that not only prevent us from being overcome by evil, but those things that actually give us victory over it... out of goodness... not by confronting it with our own tit for tat form of evil behavior.
So, How are we each approaching the despise, rejection, and suffering we face at the hands of others? Are we doing so biblically, and by seeking God’s will in prayer? Are we asking the Lord to defend us, do battle for us, avenge us, and in some cases to lead us into battle, or are we falling back into our humanness like I did as a boy who fought on the school playground?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for defending me, and providing me comfort when I face evil in the world. Thank you Lord for using my life as a model of your Son Jesus Christ when I am accosted by unbelievers. Open their eyes Holy Father so that by seeing my reaction to their aggression you might speak to their suffering souls, and bring them humbly in contrition, to you. If I must suffer that others will find your love and presence, then use me Lord. If my blood must be spilled and I be martyred in your name, so be it, but always to your glory Lord. Let my final breath be taken back into your mouth, and my tears, and blood, join that of The others beneath your altar. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who leads us into battle against evil, and defeats it with your goodness. Praised be your name for the mercy you show, and your grace which is provided through Jesus Christ. Great are you in humility, and powerful is your right arm in battle. Every victory against evil is assured in you, and all glory is yours... we shout out “Glorious is our God, who was and is, and is to come.” we worship you now, and forevermore singing “Holy, Holy, Holy, is our God!
“Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers? If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Psalms 94:16-19 ESV
Rich Forbes