“Respond Like Jesus”

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:29-32

When I was in third grade, my teacher wrote on my report card: “David’s mouth is getting him in a lot of trouble.” For me, the trouble was fights on the playground. I had a real hard time ignoring insults, so I would respond in kind, and this would end up in a fight.

I didn’t mind the fights. My brother and I were constantly fighting and wrestling at home. However, the yard duty teacher, my classroom teacher, and the principal saw things differently. To be honest, this was confusing to me. I thought everyone shouted back, pushed back, and hit back when attacked. Then I met Jesus.

In high school, I started turning the other cheek as an experiment in following Christ. I soon discovered that all the people I beat up in grammar school and junior high school were now taking advantage of the opportunity to hit me without reprisal. I didn’t like how the experiment was turning out; but I decided that since Jesus was serious about it, I should keep turning the other cheek.

All of us are finding lots of opportunities to treat others as we have been treated. However, as followers of Jesus, we are called to treat others as Jesus has treated us. This is what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Being a follower of Jesus means that we are going to take some hits. When this happens, we can respond like Jesus. We can respond with kindness and compassion and forgiveness. 

In Christ,

Pastor David