Jan 12, 2011

“No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”

From Jesus healing the sick on the Sabbath to Moses protecting his people by killing the Egyptian, there permeates a theme in life that for every act of kindness and for every attempt to be as Jesus to others there is an equal push back from the enemy of that Savior to attack the perpetrator of the action.
At the very heart of Christianity is the mandate of self-sacrifice and putting others before self. Nothing is as assaulting to the soul as having given oneself completely for the other only to have that rejected or disdained. I think about how David served Saul and married his daughter and yet Saul wanted to kill David. The accusing spirit raises its head against the actions that are in line and motivated from a heart that loves Jesus.
In America we have a justice system that some would say doesn’t work very well – but it is a system nonetheless, that has a punishment for an offense lined up. We usually feel better if we see someone pulled over for speeding. We sleep a little better when they catch the person responsible for the shooting – then the research to find out why they would do such a thing begins. We want to know who they were and what made them tick and who their parents were, how they did in school, if they had friends, and why no one stopped them. And justice systems should be in place. But what about the smaller offenses – the ones that effect our lives? The ones that are simply against us? No law has been broken but we would feel better if someone were to set that person straight in regard to our motives, our call, our honor. Jesus has something lined up for that scenario:
Matthew 5:43-47 “You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you; Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. That you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers what are you doing more than others? “
Sometimes people just aren’t nice – sometimes they think you aren’t being nice. Jesus’ system is: love on them anyway – pray for them, bless them. And, as with a lot of things in the Bible, it goes against what comes naturally to us! But when applied, there is a reward, and you will be like your Father in heaven. So, if your feathers are a little ruffled – or a lot ruffled – calm down, comb out the feathers by praying for the one who has offended you – apply the system that Jesus gave us and by the end of the day you may be looking more like the Father - which is a reward all by itself. It’s better than dieting and you can have quicker results as well – how is that for a New Year makeover!