In 1st Peter chapter 3, the writer hits on a theme based, I believe, on his own experience in being chastised for the sake of the gospel. He developed an attitude reflective of the character of Christ:
(14) even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
There will be times in our lives when we are mischaracterized or misunderstood. And, we can be so consumed with setting the record straight, getting even, or winning the argument, that we fail to reflect the character of Christ. I believe this passage addresses not only content, but tone - we are called to be prepared, possessing a quiet confidence rooted in Christ. We are also instructed to be gentle and respectful - two components of civility that are in short supply, it seems. Self-justification is certainly not the goal - it's bringing honor to Christ by the way we respond when we are accused, criticized, or confronted.
Romans chapter 12 concludes with a section of solid life principles that help to illustrate for us the way of God's love...here's a portion:
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Some things in life are just not worth getting upset over. That's a message we can take away from an Internet hoax that has recently been perpetrated on the pastor of the largest church in America.
The Christian Post reports that on Monday of this week, a "special announcement" appeared on a website that had lifted the look of the genuine article, presumably quoting that Houston's Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen. It said:
"I have one, simple response: I have come to realize my followers have begun to deify me and listen to me, and not God. This, among other reasons, led me down a path of awakening."
The website also features this statement:
"I believe now that the Bible is a fallible, flawed, highly inconsistent history book that has been altered hundreds of times. There is zero evidence the Bible is the holy word of God. In fact, there is zero evidence 'God' even exists."
Included was a link to Christian news websites that ran with the story – all an elaborate hoax.
The pastor's reaction? The Post reports that Osteen told ABC News that: "You know, I'm really not angry. I don't feel like a victim." He even said that he found the hoax mildly amusing, and that,"I feel too blessed, that life is too short to let things like this get you down."
So what would you do if someone took to the Internet and spread false rumors about you? Or what do you do when you are aware that people have told untruthful and perhaps even unkind stories, maybe even making erroneous inferences about your character? For me personally, it is upsetting to be mischaracterized. And, if we respond by becoming bitter or vengeful, or taking great lengths to justify ourselves, that inner struggle can become overwhelming, and damaging to us spiritually.
Because we are human, people will do and say hurtful things to us or about us. And, we have to be careful that we are not mischaracterizing other people, engaging in gossip and slander. If we become so defensive that we are consumed with setting the record straight, it can inhibit us from moving forward. Sometimes we just have to get before the Lord, get a fresh endowment of His strength and live our lives in a joyful and compassionate way, which can sometimes blunt the criticism we face. And, there may - or may not - be an opportunity for justification.
And, the Bible clearly teaches that we will be reviled for the name of Christ. So, there may be criticism that comes with the territory, especially in this culture. But, we have powerful resources in Christ that will enable us to live peaceful lives that reflect His character - if we're looking upward and forward and seeking to be His ambassadors, then there is the possibility that people will, as the Scriptures say, see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven - and that's the endgame, even when we face mischaracterization and misunderstanding.
No comments:
Post a Comment