He Did Not Retaliate-1Pet 2-23

1 Peter 2:21-23 (NIV)

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.
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I think the Lord woke me up early today. I looked some into His word and was reminded of a great passage.1Peter 2:21-23.  Look it up in context when u get a minute :)

When I shared this with a friend over Skype, his response was "Very difficult for us as men. But so worth following his words. When I get angry at what others are doing to me, it is hard to hold my tongue."

Yes, it is hard, but Grace empowers us if we are willing. I doubt its just men who struggle with this. Its Human nature to want to defend yourself.  I think that's what "dying 2 self" is about. Not giving in to what the flesh really wants. Or as Scripture says, Reckoning yourself dead to sin." 

If your body was dead, what could anyone influence you to do? Nothing. Right?  No one could insult you, taunt you, bribe you, or even co-urse you into doing anything against the Law of Love.  If we could just let our minds be renewed and washed by the Water of the Word to the point that they are TRULEY SET on the things Above (not on Eathly things) the things and influences of Earth would have no affect on us either. Our bodies keep on living, though not us, but Christ lives within us. And if Christ indeed lives through us, then in turn our bodies would never be used to return insult for insult or retaliate to wrongs done against us. 

I've heard responses to this line of teaching something to the effect of, "Well I'm a child of the King and I'm not supposed to be a doormat!!"  After hearing many messages on this topic and thinking extensively on the matter, I can't help but wonder where "self-defense" comes into this whole theology.  If we truly lay our life down at His Feet and say "This is yours now God. Do with me what you will" aren't we doing as Jesus did and  "entrusting...(ourselves)...to the one who judges justly?"  How can we strike back without undoing that surrender? 

Just a thought....and something I hope and plan to see manifested in my life as well.  Because if God, my awesome Father fights for me, if a fight is required, He can get MUCH better justice than I ever could. Or...He may choose Grace when the other party knows they deserve justice. Thus, a brother or sister may be won without a word :-)   --- Selah....

Pressing Toward The Mark,
Rebecca

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