In light of the heights and not so highs following Redwood alliance... There were a couple verses that really touched me in I Peter today. It reminded me of how we really need the fine humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes, it seems like lashing out, shutting out, stewing bitterly, crying baleful tears - is the easiest path to follow, but we really need to follow our Lord Jesus Christ and all the lead-followers like the apostle Peter.
He wrote:
And finally be all of the same mind, sympathetic, loving the brothers, tenderhearted, humble-minded; Not rendering evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing one another, because you were called to this, that you might inherit blessing. For "he who desires to live life and see good days, let him cause his tongue to cease from evil and his lips to speak no guile. And let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it; For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears incline to their petition; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
And who will harm you if you become zealous for what is good? But even if you suffer because of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not be afraid with fear from them, nor be troubled, But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, being always ready for a defense to everyone who asks of you an account concerning the hope which is in you, Yet with meekness and fear, having a good conscience, so that in the matter in which you are spoken against, those who revile your good manner of life in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better, if the will of God should will it, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
For Christ also has suffered once for sins, the Rightesous on behalf of the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, on the one hand being put to death in the flesh, but on the other, made alive in the Spirit;
- I Peter 3:8-18
The Christian life is a strange life. It's a life that is simply impossible to live up to within the confines of our natural strength. It doesn't matter how nice, how fair, how reasonable we are... The minute we are subjected in an even slightly negative, unfair situation that touches the core of who we are, we spontaneously burst forth from within the thin veneer of niceness to "roar".
Lord Jesus, your life is a life that is always tenderhearted, compassionate and loving. You loved us when we rejected you and put you on the cross. Your life is a life full of good deeds - even when surrounded by the most miserable, treacherous, murderous situations. Your life could do nothing but express the Father, speak His heart, and do His deeds. Lord Jesus, thank you that you have gifted us with this life. May we really seek your life within Your word. Make straight our heart to receive Your word. Carry each of us forwards.
