We
exist in a stage of great cultural animosity right now. Never in my
lifetime has there been more polarization, hatred and outright cruelty
to fellow human beings. In this kind of environment, revenge and
retribution always increase like turning up the heat on the fire. Insult
flies against insult and anger escalates, and much of this can filter
down into our personal lives. How we react as Christians in the
marketplace to personal attacks or false accusations will be as strong a
witness to Jesus Christ in our lives as anything. This can pertain to
participating in conversations that take down someone else. Social media
is rampant with this kind of thing and a large part of the reason why
revenge and retribution are on the rise. We need to avoid this.
Stay
on the high road. Leave vengeance to the Lord. Don't seek revenge.
Don't try and take the other guy down. Don't rejoice in someone else's
misfortune. No one's keeping score except the Lord, and the Lord is "not
counting people's sins against them" (2 Corinthians 2:19) so why should
we?
In
such a time as this, we need to be full of kindness and our speech
seasoned with grace. If you've been offended, let God deal with the
offenders. Like David, we have a higher calling. We represent a kingdom
that contrasts the present age with grace turned outward. That shouldn't
be new. That's what we're all about anyway.
John Fischer
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