Realignment Required!
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9 - NIV)."
What is your response when people treat you wrong? It is in our nature to defend ourselves and strike back... to repay evil with evil or insult with insult. We just cannot let someone else "win"! We cannot let them have the last laugh. There is another way that we typically respond and that is to do nothing. This response certainly does not stir up unnecessary trouble, although it certainly can lead to more, but it also does nothing to demonstrate a genuine love for our "enemy". Jesus tells us to love our neighbor, and just in case we want to define neighbor as those we get along with, He gets more specific by telling us to love our enemy (Matthew 5:43-44). We are called by our Savior and Lord to love even our enemy! That is a radical calling! It is also a difficult one.
If you are a believer, it becomes very difficult to argue with Jesus and Peter at this point. Paul was equally as clear... perhaps this is because Peter and Paul took Jesus at His word. BUT HOW DO YOU LOVE AN ENEMY??? To love your enemy takes a radical realignment of your purpose in life. Let me explain... If your purpose is centered on you (your reputation, your position, your popularity, your accomplishments, your praise, etc.) then loving your enemy will be virtually impossible. Why? Because they are destroying the very nature of your purpose! But what if your purpose was to live for the Glory and agenda of Christ? What if your purpose was to make His name known to a world that does not know Him, yet hates Him? What if your purpose was to live as a messenger of the Gospel as a recipient of the Gospel? What if your purpose in life has nothing to do with you, but everything to do with Christ? It is this kind of realignment that is necessary for the believer to genuinely love his or her enemy! And here is the kicker... Peter tells us that when we respond to evil with blessing, the Lord gazes upon us and brings us blessing. Peter says the negative version as well... "The face of the Lord is against those who do evil (1 Peter 3:12)." In other words, do not expect God's blessing in your life if you are not willing to genuinely love your enemy. And may I go a bit further and conclude that you should not expect God's blessing in your life if your purpose in life centers around you! Instead, Peter says, "but in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander (1 Peter 3:15-16)."
Living for the Glory and agenda of Christ requires us to die to ourselves... only then can we see past our own insecurities and pride to view the majestic plan of a Redeeming God! Our calling is not easy when it does not align with our perceived purpose. Perhaps it is time for a realignment!
What is your response when people treat you wrong? It is in our nature to defend ourselves and strike back... to repay evil with evil or insult with insult. We just cannot let someone else "win"! We cannot let them have the last laugh. There is another way that we typically respond and that is to do nothing. This response certainly does not stir up unnecessary trouble, although it certainly can lead to more, but it also does nothing to demonstrate a genuine love for our "enemy". Jesus tells us to love our neighbor, and just in case we want to define neighbor as those we get along with, He gets more specific by telling us to love our enemy (Matthew 5:43-44). We are called by our Savior and Lord to love even our enemy! That is a radical calling! It is also a difficult one.
If you are a believer, it becomes very difficult to argue with Jesus and Peter at this point. Paul was equally as clear... perhaps this is because Peter and Paul took Jesus at His word. BUT HOW DO YOU LOVE AN ENEMY??? To love your enemy takes a radical realignment of your purpose in life. Let me explain... If your purpose is centered on you (your reputation, your position, your popularity, your accomplishments, your praise, etc.) then loving your enemy will be virtually impossible. Why? Because they are destroying the very nature of your purpose! But what if your purpose was to live for the Glory and agenda of Christ? What if your purpose was to make His name known to a world that does not know Him, yet hates Him? What if your purpose was to live as a messenger of the Gospel as a recipient of the Gospel? What if your purpose in life has nothing to do with you, but everything to do with Christ? It is this kind of realignment that is necessary for the believer to genuinely love his or her enemy! And here is the kicker... Peter tells us that when we respond to evil with blessing, the Lord gazes upon us and brings us blessing. Peter says the negative version as well... "The face of the Lord is against those who do evil (1 Peter 3:12)." In other words, do not expect God's blessing in your life if you are not willing to genuinely love your enemy. And may I go a bit further and conclude that you should not expect God's blessing in your life if your purpose in life centers around you! Instead, Peter says, "but in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander (1 Peter 3:15-16)."
Living for the Glory and agenda of Christ requires us to die to ourselves... only then can we see past our own insecurities and pride to view the majestic plan of a Redeeming God! Our calling is not easy when it does not align with our perceived purpose. Perhaps it is time for a realignment!
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