| Self-Control and Revenge (1 Peter 1-5)1 Peter 1-5
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance."
Is your mind prepared for action? Have you prepared it? Be self-controlled. There is no room for a victim mentality. "I can't do this" or "I can't help myself" do not apply to holy living. God has given everyone a free will to do right or wrong no matter your circumstances.
"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men."
"But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
'He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.'
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
We need to follow in Jesus' steps! Do we think we need to stand up for our rights? Do we say, "Don't let people walk all over you. Show them who's boss."
Jesus didn't even do that! He left the judgment to God. Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it. So we as his followers are here to help save it as well and not deal out judgment. Trust God when He says in Romans 12:19, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord."
People think that it's one of the worst things when you judge someone. "How dare you judge me!" "That's so judgmental!" Yet when you stand up for yourself, that's exactly what you're doing. You're saying, "I'm right and you're wrong so you deserve me to do this to you."
If you stand up for yourself, then God doesn't need to anymore. I don't know about you, but I'd rather God stand up for me using His power, than me using my power.
Jesus was not a doormat to be walked on. He just knew that when people walked on Him it was His father's business to take care of the retribution.
So what do you do?
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
When someone walks over you, repay them with blessing so that you may inherit a blessing. Are you perfect? Then why are you playing judge? Master of justice? Is that your new name?
"'God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.'
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
Humility is what Jesus lived as an example. God can only lift you up if you're not trying to do it yourself.
(By the way, I'm not talking about standing up for others or for God. Just yourself.) |
| |
Lifetime