Graduation Exam: Self Defense
“He will make your righteousness shine like the morning, and your justice like the noonday sun.” – Psalm 37:6
As a believer comes to trust in obedience and love, God often brings a test that seems unnaturally cruel. Trial: Being judged unfairly by people close to you. This is not for reactionaries. It cannot be ended simply by ending it. Supernatural grace is the only means to overcome it. This is one of the trials that the Savior Himself had to experience while being tried by the court of public opinion, the religious community, and the government of His day. His response to the government was silence. Their response to the religious establishment was silence on the final judgment. He remained calm towards his remaining accused and stopped blaming his father. He followed the command given to the disciples:
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is merciful to the ungrateful and the wicked” (Luke 6:35).
How do you react when you are accused or abused without any reason? Do you listen quietly, or do you justify every action? Most of us take pride in doing what is right and expect the same from others, especially our religious brothers and sisters. Jesus knew that if you were a true follower of Him, you would eventually enter into this test. This is from the show. The workplace provides ample opportunities to be wrong, misunderstood and stigmatized. When God makes a measured attack against one of His children, it is to find out whether he truly believes in the cross. The cross is where each of us is given the opportunity to die to our pride, our reputation, and our ego. When he allows a measured attack on us, it is to find out if the cross is enough. He wants to see if we will try to save ourselves. Jesus said that if we die with him, we will rise with him. When God allows Satan to launch a measured attack, ask God for the grace of being crucified. The pride and arrogance that Jesus wants to remove from our lives should be crucified. Thank God for the opportunity to be crucified with Christ. Then your righteousness will shine like the noonday sun and the justice of your case will be in his hands.
