Wouldn’t It Be Wonderful to Be Spoken to and Treated
Kindly and Respectfully-Always?
You may recognize the quote in the picture above from the movie “The Help” with Octavia Spencer. Through all ages and, I assume, in all people groups, individuals and groups have been wrongly treated. You know that, right? We have traveled in more than a dozen other countries besides our own – the USA. We have seen it first hand. Color, ethnicity, nationality, economic status, part of town or the country, political or religious connections have all reared their heads as excuses to persecute or harbor ill feelings for others. I have come to understand that mistreatment of others is not just a racial issue. It is a heart condition. Jesus even told us that “in this world there will be trouble” or “you will suffer tribulation”. He is right!
The condition of the heart that leads to looking down on others as less important, not a true person or as somehow deserving mistreatment stems from the sin nature at its very core. When a person or group gets between what some want and what some have, or if we believe their mistreatment makes us look superior and puts us at an advantage to get what we want, then the gloves come off, and groups become the troublemakers rather than a peace makers.
My guess is that you have been mistreated, persecution, belittled, or made to feel unimportant or unwanted. Am I right? It may have started at home with siblings or even parents, who didn’t always know how to encourage or help a fellow when he was down. Sports and school may have been the next venues for feeling less than wanted and more of a failure than a friend. Dating, marriage, and even parenting has had its times of making us feel unloved. I know now that many of these feelings were unintentionally created, but they were real nonetheless. Some were intentionally manufactured.
Next, the question is what do we do when we are mistreated? Do we punch back, ignore the person and the pain? What do we do? In 1 Peter 2:18-25 we find some real answers to our real tribulation and pain.
Here it is:
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate,but also to those who are harsh.19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called,because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,that you should follow in his steps.22
“He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a]
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sinsand live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[b] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Maybe I had better add verse 16 and 17:
16 Live as free people,but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
If we are already practicing submission to our authorities as we are commanded to do in 1 Peter 2:13, we can see those doing the persecuting as Jesus did/does. When Jesus was being persecuted, reviled, lied about, falsely accused, and ultimately whipped and killed, he “submitted Himself to the one who judges righteously”.
Jesus knew His suffering would buy our forgiveness. So He did it because His Father told Him to. Jesus fulfilled His calling and purpose. He did that for me and for you and for all who call upon Him in faith.
Scripture is not teaching that persecution and mistreatment of those who are innocent is a good thing. Not at all. But it is a thing. Christians are and have been among those who catch our share of it at various times, in different climes and circumstances. What do we do when it happens?
We may appeal directly to the ones doing the damage. That may or may not work to relieve the situation. We may appeal to those over them in authority. We may have to suffer for awhile and trust God to correct it or give us the grace to suffer for doing what is right. His blessings and reward are promised, but that doesn’t mean the persecution stops, does it? You and Jesus will have to determine what your limits are and how much you can stand.
Bottom Line: Jesus suffered unfairly and endured punishment He did not deserve. He left us an example of how we are to handle persecution – light or heavy. We are not to strike back or return evil for evil. We are to pray for those who persecute us and return good for evil. Certainly we can appeal to those authorities over us who may be abusing their power. We can speak to a friend or spouse who has misunderstood and may be treating us unfairly, but as Jesus did we are to suffer if we have to- in a way that shows God’s patience and love.
Can’t do this at all without the Holy Spirit at work in us. He will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.