Texting Hallelujah!

Grace Over Grievance

Has anyone ever said something that grated your nerves? 

Of course, you’re nodding your head. “Yes!” 

Let me re-phrase the question: how recently did someone say something that made you want to retaliate with a snide or angry reply, or curse under your breath, or worse?

Was it a co-worker yesterday, or a spouse or child this morning? Or was it a company or government official that singled you out just a moment ago and made demands of you just because they have the authority to do so?

How did you respond? Did you roll with the punches and accept it in stride? Did you graciously overlook the grievance by putting yourself in their shoes, understanding that everyone has an off moment or a bad day? Or did you respond in kind with harsh words, a belligerent tone, or an obstinate refusal to bend?

The people in Jesus’s day—just as in ours—had to cope with injustice and bad actors. Frequently, the custom was to retaliate, it was a social right.

But having a right and exercising it requires discretion and self-discipline. Jesus taught his followers to show restraint and trust God for the outcomes. Christians are not to indulge our natural desire to retaliate. 

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, ‘Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.  And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles’” (Matthew 5:38-41 ESV). 

That’s hard! Why would you want to roll with the punches or go an extra mile for someone who perturbs you, or worse, is unjust? Why not immediately put them in their place and make them give you respect, or deviously wait and get revenge later?

Because if you are truly a Christian you have the Spirit of God living in you. God is consistently righteous and the Holy Spirit will prompt you to act in a manner that imitates him. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality” (Colossians 3:17, 24-25). 

Christian, bad behavior has consequences—and it’s a two-way street.

So, how should you respond?  The Bible instructs, “A gentle answer deflects anger…The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing” (Proverbs 15:1-2 NLT). Your response, and mine, should be “gentle…making knowledge appealing.” We’re to respond with grace and guide the offender to Jesus. As hard as it may be, let your Lord, your “boss,” put others in their place. 

Today, when you don’t get respect, breathe a prayer and give a gracious reply.

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