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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The Power of God's Grace

As I look at the moral, economic and physical condition of the world today, and as I look at the power of the Church or the lack thereof, I am concerned for us all, even more then ever before. I believe people are being overwhelmed by the forces of darkness and the Prince of evil himself and all of his little cohorts.

Many believe when things go wrong think it is only their own doing, or perhaps dumb luck or circumstances. Even people who profess to follow Jesus, sometimes think all the condemning and criticizing things inside their head are all their own idea. Or perhaps just an echo from a criticizing parent or authority figure. On the contrary, I firmly believe that these things that debilitate us and keep us locked in fear are the work of the demons... the result of one third of the Angels revolting thousands of years ago. I believe their biggest job is to cripple the Body of Christ... to make us unaware of and feel incapable of exercising the power that we have in the Name of Christ.

Demons can be powerful and often frightening, when we try to oppose them. But we must remember, there is nothing and no one stronger than the name of Jesus and the power of His Grace.

My husband says that Grace is the most powerful force in all the universe. For it is the only thing that is able, or strong enough to reunite a fallen man with his God. This grace has conquered all the powers of Hell and the devil, even death itself, to see that we can become one with our Father and our King and to dwell with Him in Heavenly places, seated beside the Majesty on High!

That is why it is said in the Book of Galatians, when the apostle cried out for relief from the thorn in his flesh...three times he besought the Lord...to which his merciful God replied, "My grace is sufficient for thee." At times we might read that and think God is saying, 'what you have is good enough, be content, quit complaining,' but in reality, that is not what He's saying at all. It took me a long time to learn this.

When He is really saying is, in the words of another author, (I wish I remembered his name,) "God's grace is sufficient for us, like the great ocean a sufficient for the fish to swim in; and like the big blue sky is sufficient for the bird to fly in." That is a little bit of a paraphrase, but I'm sure you get the message.

Is the ocean enough for the fish? Ridiculous right? Is the sky big enough for the bird? Absurd! Using that analogy, we can see just how much greater God is with his grace than anything we can ever need ask or imagine! It even says that in Ephesians"...who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above what we can ever ask or think."

Hold on to faith my brothers and sister. Hold onto the power of His grace! For His supply and His power is so much greater than whatever it is that you need. Rest in this calm assurance... your God is able to meet you right where you are and give you exactly what you need. His arm is not short, and nothing catches him by surprise.

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Have a Super Day! --Rebecca