Have
you ever been accused, insulted, slandered, lied or hated for doing
the right thing or taking a stand for the TRUTH? The Lord says
rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, Matthew
5:11-12. By doing this you are blessed! At that moment you may not
feel all that blessed, but our Lord Jesus tells us that when we
suffer for the sake of righteousness we should count it as an honor
He is giving us, knowing that our reward in heaven is GREAT. Blessed
are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all
kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be
glad, for your reward in heaven is GREAT, for so they persecuted the
prophets who were before you.
When our Lord Jesus is the
One that governs our hearts, we are always going to want to do His
will and be concerned about pleasing Him instead of men. Our main
goal as Christians must be that of being approved before Him instead
of the approval of men. It is our God we must fear and not men! If
God is for us, we must not be concerned about who is against us. He
will fight beside us if we hold fast to His Truth. It doesn't matter
what men think of us. It doesn't matter who is attacking us. Their
insults and attacks will fall like broken arrows at our feet. I will
fear no evil and what man can do to harm me for the cause of Christ
and righteousness. And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous
for what is good? But even if you shall suffer for the sake of
RIGHTEOUSNESS, you are BLESSED. And do not fear their INTIMIDATION,
and do not be TROUBLED. But sanctify Christ as Lord in you hearts,
ALWAYS being ready to make a DEFFENSE to everyone who asks you to
give an account for the HOPE that is in you, yet with GENTLENESS and
REVERENCE. I Peter 3:13-15.
In giving a defense of our
Hope and the Truth, we must always remember to respond in a
Christ-like manner. But, if we respond in an ungodly way, this will
not only bring confusion and provocation, but will bring reproach and
dishonor to the name of our Lord Jesus. And keep a good conscience,
so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile
your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is
better.... that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for
doing what is wrong. I Peter 3:16-17.
Let's always imitate the
beauty of Christ, even when we are contending for the Truth. We can
be very direct and reproof them severely that the may be sound in the
FAITH (Titus 1:13), yet let's answer in a way that glorifies and
gives reverence to our God. Don't return reviling for reviling, I
Peter 3:8. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16. Let's fight for the Lord with zeal, but with
self-control !
Luci
