by God's Little Boy
© MakeshiftDarkroom.com 2014
Posted 6/16/14
"For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:"
(1 Peter 2:19-23)
Jesus was different...
He was without guile, without retaliation, without sin. He was perfectly strong in the divine nature while wrapped in human frailty. He was a perfect example of what a man should be; yea more so, he was our replacement to fulfill all righteousness on our behalf. When he was reviled, he reviled not again. He did not strike back and return railing for railing or evil for evil. (1 Peter 3:9) When he suffered at the hands of men, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously. He endured against himself the contradiction of sinners; yet he was innocent of any violence. He didn't loose control, but was strength under control, for this was his nature. He knew who he was, he knew his father's plan, and in meekness he was able to patiently entrust his cause to the one who would be faithful to keep it until the day when everything will be judged in righteousness. God is not a man, that he should behave as a man, but in Christ he is a man; and as the God-man he demonstrated for all men who follow him, what it means to be like God.
Men are quite different from Jesus. We are full of fight, strife, and contention. Even as the redeemed, we still have far too much fight in us. We take it upon ourselves to champion our own cause. We strike out in reaction and are unable to control our tongues, which are an unruly evil full of deadly poison. As sweet and bitter fountains we can, in the next breath, contradict a good confession with hasty volatile words. This should not be so. (James 3:8-10) We have a very great need for more of Jesus and less of ourselves. We need to walk closely in his steps and in the example that he has left for us.
It is one thing to return good for evil when it is well with your soul; but it is especially difficult to do this when you are suffering wrong, and when your soul is made to fast from its deepest desires and needs. When losses are heaped upon losses, and evil is received for all of your patience, it can be difficult to retain your sweet words. But this is where the maximum weight of growth, faith, and glory are realized; even among your worst failures. If it is necessary, in the plan of God, to suffer these things and to be in heaviness for a season, suffer in well doing and possess your soul in patience. The scriptures tells us that this is worthy of praise.
"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." (Proverbs 16:32)
Stand down when opposed, as much as it is possible. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord." (Roman 12:19 Amplified) Cease from strife. Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil, mastering it with inner resources of divine good. And if a brother offends you, forgive him.
Temperance is a great virtue to be desired. Often defined as "self control" over passion and excess, it may also be understood to mean "divine control." It is divine control acquired by "our" yieldedness to the Spirit of God. As partakers of his divine nature we find temperance that we should revile not again in the face of provocation. This should be our desire and a good target for us to aim for. In this we demonstrate to a watching world that we do not act as mere men, because too much "God" has gotten into us. We have become too much like Christ to not show it. By seeing the same meekness that was in Christ the world will know that we have become more like our father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:45)
If only we could consistently do this! Lord, grant it to us that we may be better than the mighty. Slow to anger, ruling our spirit, even in the face of provocation. Grant us a meek spirit, even when we are buffeted and reviled for the sake of Christ. For we know that we have been called to this and in so doing we will inherit great blessing. 
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