Christ also suffered for me, leaving me an example, that I should follow in His steps...When He was insulted, He did not insult in reply; when He suffered, He did not threaten but committed Himself to You who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:21, 23
The last word.
We all want it. It puts an exaclamation point on the discussion and it proves we won.
Right?
Or are there times we are better served by keeping our mouths shut and not entering into the fray? Even if we are right?
Apparently there are because Jesus did.
The trick is in discerning when those times occur. And doing so in the heat of the moment can be tricky, especially when our emotions are engaged.
My guess is that they occur much more often than I think they do.
What are your thoughts about this passage?
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This is definitely a 180-degree turn from what the world, and to a certain extent we, think about when it comes to knowing when to defend yourself and knowing when to be quiet and not retaliate. Jesus endured the kind of controversy and drama that He had to deal with for a reason. It was all part of God plan for us Christians, just as patient endurance of injustice is part of God's plan for me and other believers. Wow! I'm glad I go through this stuff despite the fact I hate having to suffer some pain in my life. I realize there is a method to the madness, I just wish it did not hurt so much, but that's the price you pay for following Christ. If it wasn't for patient suffering, endurance and perserverance, grace would be nothing more than just another five letter word that is used in the English language. When I look at I Pet. 2:23, I think about what the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had to deal with during the Civil Rights movement back in the 1960's with all of the racial turmoil that the U.S. had to deal with. To me that was as close to a 20th century model of Jesus because he could have easily gotten violent with all of the things that were going on and all of the suffering that Afican Americans had to deal with as far as name calling and unspeakable acts of hatred and violence. In Matthew 27:12-14 and 34-44, Jesus was carrying out the Master's plan of redemption. I'm in awe of this! I'm so glad He did this because I did not deserve to be His considering the times that I have messed up in my life. Thank God for grace and mercy. I love you Jesus. Peace, joy and rest in His love.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 52:13 says "See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted."
ReplyDeleteI have never suffered what Christ suffered. So many wrong things being said to your face--people speaking things of you that are the furthest speculations from the truth imagineable. Shame, bitterness, and hatred in your face.
I have experienced hatred, enemies, and speculations about who I am that were very wrong. It hurts deeply. Gossip and rumors are hurtful all of the time. That's why they are so wrong to do. Yet, some people live for it.
I have recently converted to holding my tongue to almost everything I want to react to. It is a hard thing to do, but in the end, I realize that as a Christian, it is my duty to hold my tongue. This has paid off in so many ways! I have nothing to hide; because I've not spoken in anger. I pray as soon as I experience adversity, and the Lord guides me through what to say with His perfect Love. Sometimes His guidance is, "Say nothing. Be humble, and be lifted high above your enemies." That may not be in this lifetime, but I'm ok with that.