The Right Match

We have varying experiences in life that prompt personal reactions. Often we may genuinely feel our response to be a good match for how we have been treated. When we get jabbed our first inclination may be to jab back. When we are struck we generally feel compelled to strike back. However, tit for tat and responding to even the score most commonly escalates rather than serving to help solve the conflict. What is needful is for us to look beyond the reaction of the moment to the ACTION that will truly benefit others, as well as ourselves, in the long run.

Peter exhorted…
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, BLESS, for to this you were called, THAT YOU MAY OBTAIN A BLESSING.” ( 1 Peter 3:9 ESV)

The Christians to whom Peter wrote were experiencing persecution. Such treatment can naturally produce a variety of reactions. Rather than a reaction, Peter simply pointed to our choice of ACTION. What he encouraged toward was not reacting in kind, but instead ACTING in a positive manner so as to hopefully obtain something more positive in the end.

Consider three levels on which life could be lived. There are those who return evil for good. This is the rebellious spirit of the devil and all who would oppose the righteousness and truth of God. Then there are those who are willing to return good for good, but will also return evil for evil. Reacting with like for like is often characteristic of a world that follows the rule, “Do to others ‘as’ they have done unto you.” However, the level we have been Divinely called to is that of returning good for evil. This is the spirit Jesus insisted is to be exhibited in our life ( Matthew 5:44-45) and the ACTION Paul stressed in his letter to the church at Rome. ( Romans 12:14, 20-21) To ACT according to the righteousness of God rather than reacting in kind may not always be easy. It may not even be our first inclination. Nevertheless, it is the right thing in the eyes of God and is a powerful means of revealing we live according to a much higher standard (and wisdom) than that of this world.

Let us learn to focus on the powerful potential our own right ACTIONS may provide. To treat others in a manner that would bless their life in spite of the way they treat us has the potential to touch their heart so as to have a desire to bring blessing to us. However, even if our choice of right ACTIONS does not change the heart or behavior of others, we will ultimately receive our blessing from God for having upheld His standard. May our ACTIONS not merely be contingent on what others do (that gives them control over us), but continually based on our decision to do what is right in the eyes of God.

Have a great day MEETING OTHERS ACTIONS GOD’S WAY!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Christian Behavior