Sometimes, it is difficult to see that the goodness of the Gospel should be chosen over the bitterness in the hearts of men. Often, others will speak hurtfully without knowing it. The harmful ways and actions will be born out of a heart that has grown through worldly living. The question is, though, upon what will you choose to focus? Will it be the good or the evil?
Though evil may be present in the minds of others, Peter told Christians, “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully, for what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:19-20). Jesus certainly had those who did evil toward Him, and yet, He loved them and treated them with dignity.
Notice John 13. Jesus ate with the twelve disciples and washed their feet before dinner. He then announced that one of them would betray Him. Yet, no one knew that it was Judas. When Judas got up and left the room, there were several thoughts in the disciples’ minds about where he was going, but no one knew that Jesus spoke of him. Jesus treated him without anger! He asked us to do the same to our enemies. Jesus said in Matthew 5:39, ‘‘But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also.” It is true that you may be assaulted, at least verbally, at some point in your Christian life by people who think they are doing right. However, you should never let it embitter you. Simply turn the other cheek.
The calling of God is certainly a high calling. It raises us above the world and asks us to respond to the wrong doings of man with a heavenly response. Jesus knows our sufferings from others and asks us to look at His sufferings as our example of what to do. Don’t fight back! Instead, choose the high road and see the good in others, as Christ would have. Think about it.
