United Church of God

Letter From Andy Diemer - September 9, 2020

Letter From Andy Diemer

September 9, 2020

Blessing for Insult

In today's politically charged atmosphere, imagine a political candidate who never responds to an opponent's insults. You would think something is wrong. It is certainly not politics as usual. A personal attack typically causes automatic retaliation. It is not in our nature take an offense; rather, we are inclined to give an insult right back.

An undeserved insult is an attack on your character; it hurts. But if you are followers of Christ, you will receive an insult as a blessing. It is not that you want insults, but you are willing to take an offence because this is what Christ would do. Peter wrote, "to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example" (1 Peter 2:21). And "this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully" (Verse 19).

Christ endured great "hostility from sinners against Himself" (Hebrews 12:3), but He did not answer in kind. He was "oppressed and...afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). He taught us that it is a blessing to receive insults on His behalf. For "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-12). Therefore He said, "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you" (Matthew 5:44).

It is a blessing to receive an insult for Christ; it is an opportunity to grow in grace. "For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil" (1 Peter 3:17). When you trust God to be your defense, you "do not say, 'I will recompense evil,'" but you "wait for the Lord" (Proverbs 20:22). You say like David, "for Your sake I have borne reproach" Psalms 69:7). And you "speak evil of no one," but are "peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men" (Titus 3:2).

A Christian shows godliness for not answering back in kind to an insult. If candidates for public office behaved like this, it would remove the rancor from politics. But we must wait a little while longer when people everywhere will "not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge" (Leviticus 19:18). We must keep looking for the day when all men will obey God's law from the heart. May that day come soon! Until then, do not return "evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing" (1 Peter 3:9). And remember, "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you" (1 Peter 4:14)!

Warm regards,

Andy

Pastor