The Zax Way or God's Way?

Good afternoon, everyone, and good Sabbath to you. I hope you're doing well. I hope the Holy Day season has been very wonderful for you. I want to say hello to those who are on the webcast. Welcome to you as well. I hope you're doing as well. I know a lot of you are not feeling too good. So we're thinking about you and hoping that you'll be getting better and feeling better. And those who are in the area here can join us as soon as possible. Prior to the Passover, which we know commemorated Jesus Christ's great sacrifice to pay the penalty of our sins, we examined ourselves in order to prepare to receive the symbols of bread and wine in an upright manner. And now, during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we're continuing this process of detecting and rejecting sin in our lives, while striving to, as Colossians 3, verse 5 says, to put to death our sinful nature. Also during the Passover, we participated in the food washing service, where we demonstrated our willingness to serve others, following Jesus Christ's example of service and love towards His disciples as He washed their feet. And he had to kind of convince them that this is something new and that they needed to do. Considering this, here's a vital question for us. How can we genuinely and deeply serve and love someone who has offended us or treated us badly in some way? We went through the foot washing, and that's a great thing to do, but how do we apply what we learn there? What should we do if we have suffered as a result of another person's words and or actions? How can we have a genuine, as I said, foot washing approach to other people in such situations? Indeed, at times in our lives, we will find ourselves in circumstances where someone, either intentionally or inadvertently, caused us harm or disrespect or anguish or suffering or distress of some sort. When these situations occur, our immediate reaction may be to quickly be offended. It's sort of our natural human tendency, if you want to put it that way, to protect ourselves and to even strike back. It's just a natural tendency of human beings. When such situations occur, and with this in mind, I'd like to illustrate to you the proclivity to retaliate for offenses by telling you a clever story titled The Zacks. The Zacks, which was written by the famous children's author Dr. Seuss, included in his 1961 book Sneetches and Other Stories. I think the kids are very knowledgeable about some of this. The title of this split sermon is The Zacks Way or God's Way? I'm going to accompany it with a couple of slides here. The story is about two creatures, a north-going Zacks and a south-going Zacks, who meet face-to-face in the prairie of prax. But because both Zacks are committed to travel only in one direction on a single pathway, they find themselves at a stalemate, stopped in their tracks. As the results of this, the north-going Zacks refused to even move an inch to the east or to the west to let the other Zacks pass. While the south-going Zacks was equally inflexible, they wouldn't move an inch himself. Because of this, the north-going Zacks vowed to stand his ground for 59 days. The south-going Zacks heatedly replied that he would stand his ground for 59 years. Both Zacks were full of pride, and they were terribly offended with each other. Since nothing changed in that situation, eventually a highway was built right over the top of them.

And they kept standing there for years, just fuming in their original tracks. Interestingly, this Zacks nature can sometimes describe human nature, which of course is the point of the story for its primary audience children, who need to know that nobody wins in such a situation. Although the story is designed for kids, it contains real-life lessons for human beings, including us as disciples of Jesus Christ. In this regard, if someone has done something to severely offend you, what should you do? Let's turn to 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17. So what should you and I do to in effect avoid standing in the prairie of pracks with someone not budging like the Zacks?

This is highly significant because such an inflexible approach can hinder or even halt our spiritual progress. Bearing this in mind, it's important to remember that like the Zacks, those who are in God's church are a different kind of creature. You saw the picture. Those are a different kind of creature, but we are also a different kind of creature.

The Apostle Paul wrote that here in 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17. He said, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new, the Old Testament says, creature, but it says, a new creation. Old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. With this in mind, back up a few pages to Romans 6 verse 4, if you would. Here's another of Paul's statements which highlights the commitment we made at baptism to live an entirely new and different and completely changed way of life, resulting from what Jesus Christ did for us through his selfless service.

Romans 6 verse 4 says, Therefore, we were buried with him through baptism unto death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we should walk in newness of life. This refers to the new way of thinking and acting that we read about here in Ephesians 4 verse 22. You don't need to turn there. This is from the New Living Translation. It says this, Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. So here we are instructed to completely discard this old human way of thinking and acting, taking revenge, being vindictive, and living in animosity toward other people. Let's go to Ephesians 4 verse 31 now, if you would. Ephesians 4 verse 31. In this passage we find clear instructions about how God's people must function as His new special creation.

In other words, we must not be Zach's life-like, but rather, as we read here in Ephesians 4 verse 31, we are to let all bitterness and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away with all malice and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you.

Quite a statement there, is it not? So yes, during this holy period of the spiritual year, we are especially reminded that God has forgiven our sins, and therefore we must also forgive others. They're wrongdoings and offenses against us. Now, is this easy? No. Well, you know that. It's not easy to do this. However, that's what God has called us to do if we sincerely desire to be in His divine family.

Therefore, each of us needs to ask ourselves, how could I hold a grudge or be resentful of someone else, especially a fellow member of God's church? Indeed, how could a disciple of Jesus Christ allow anger and bitterness or enmity maintain a place in his or her heart for days, weeks, months, and even years? And I've heard of these things happening. Maybe you have, too. As mentioned earlier, the Passover commemorates the immense and selfless sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He paid that penalty for us, our sins. So when we consider this, wouldn't it have been a mistake, for example, to have come before God at the Passover, taking the symbols of Jesus's body and blood, if we had harbored any bitterness or resentment toward a fellow disciple?

Something to think about there. Therefore, it's crucial that we discern the depth of love and the spirit of grace and humility and forgiveness and mercy that God expects us to have towards others, especially to our brothers and sisters of Christ. Matthew 18, verse 15. Very familiar passage here. We'll take a look at it. Matthew 18, 15, if you turn there.

Of course, this does not mean we are to overlook every fault or offense that we experience in life so that we simply become like a jellyfish without doing anything to make it right. Indeed, Christ tells us what to do. He gives us specific instructions if we've been hurt, slighted, or offended in some way. Matthew 18, verse 15 says, Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. Verses 16 and 17 offer more steps that can be taken if necessary. But, sadly, it seems that sometimes Christ's vital instructions are simply ignored by some people.

And nothing gets resolved. It just sits there. But that's not God's way. That's not God's way. We need to take action to make things right, if it's at all possible. If we are humble and deeply concerned about getting along in harmony with another person, it should motivate us to act in a loving and peacemaking manner. But sometimes, instead of following that considerate approach in response to a person's pain, discontent, or happiness, what else might someone do?

He or she might grumble against or gossip with others about the person who offended them. Or even bottle up those negative feelings inside of their heart and mind, which continually eats away at them and slows down or even halts their spiritual progress. Those approaches may satisfy a zax, but not our Heavenly Father. Colossians 3, verse 13. If you turn there, Colossians 3, verse 13. The Scriptures give us wise advice and counsel about how we need to work with others, including those who have offended us. Colossians 3, verse 13 says, bearing with one another and forgiving one another. If anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, you also must do.

The biblical instruction tells us it says, must. Not maybe, or, you know, I'll get to that in a few months or years. No. Now, do it. That's what God, Christ, wants us to do. It's not optional. Really, if you look at it that way, even if it's difficult to go to our brother or sister, we need to do it. Of course, we can and should confidentially consult our pastor or perhaps another elder to find out how to implement this directive. It's not even, it's not something that we do all the time, so maybe it's good to get some advice on how to go about it.

Again, let's turn to Hebrews 12, verse 14. Now, Hebrews 12, verse 14. Again, what Christ wants us to do is not easy. It's not an easy thing to do always. And everybody's different in how we would handle something like this. But as a baptized, Spirit-led individual, we should go all out to do what's stated here in this passage. Hebrews 12, verse 14. Pursue peace with all people and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Now, that's a big statement just in itself right there, right? Looking carefully, lest anyone fall short of the grace of God, lest any... And look at this again here. Any rude abiderness springing up caused trouble, and by this many are defiled. That's scary to think about that. It's certainly a very poignant and straightforward passage, is it not? Brethren, God expects us as His new creation to always follow the pathway of peace with other people.

He desires that we be untreatable, and that we continually work at building harmonious relationships with people, continually doing that. We need to work on it, work at it, because it doesn't come automatically. It takes effort on our part.

As I mentioned earlier, it's bound to happen. Bound, these offenses will come in our lives. Indeed, Jesus said in Luke 17, verse 1, you don't need to turn there, I'll just read it, but He said, and I quote here, It is impossible that no offenses should come. He meant that in the world, it's inevitable that people will experience stumbling blocks and betrayals and hurts. These are termed offenses, from the Greek word, scandalazo. As disciples of Jesus Christ, our goal should always be to deal with an offense in a godly manner, rather than being provoked into some undesirable reaction or response. We have to take control of it, the situation, control of ourselves as well. We need to always focus on forgiveness. Since Jesus said in Luke 17, verse 3 and 4, I'll just read this here, He said, Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke, meaning correct him. Okay, you should do that. And if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times a day he returns to you, saying, I repent, you shall forgive him. That's a lot of forgiving than repenting, is it not? But that's part of our job, if you think of it that way. So, you know, we always have to be on guard so as to avoid becoming quickly and easily offended. While recalling what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12, verse 17, I'll read this here, Repain no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all, all men.

So we should do, we should try to do, take these damaged and upset situations and give them more time sometimes. Maybe it takes a little time for people to absorb what's going on and to calm down and to heal. We can't just run into these things. It takes a little bit of time and effort.

But we hope, the hope is that there'll be reconciliation. And that's what we could be praying about in the meantime, if we can't do something immediately. If we do this, and the other party does finally see his or her error, they may very well appreciate the opportunity to begin anew. Maybe they didn't realize what was happening and something, they were emotionally upset or something's happening. You've got to give them some space and time to deal with it. The fact is, even the best of friends have relationship issues from time to time. But they can reunite and end up closer than they were before. So, kind of think about that, how that would be such a nice thing to happen. So, we must forgive and forget what others have said and the actions they took toward us and move on after that. Just draw closer to people. In this regard, of all people who ever lived, think about this, Jesus Christ certainly had the right to be offended. I mean, look at all this. Throughout his ministry, he encountered people who had treated him improperly. And never once did he strike out in anger. A great example for us. He controlled himself. He had the Holy Spirit. You and I have the Holy Spirit.

Why did he do that? Because he loved his heavenly Father.

And he loved his commandment-keeping way of life. And he loved people. He loved everybody, didn't he? The Psalm 119.165 says, Great peace have they who love your laws, and nothing shall offend them.

Therefore, since we love God and his commandments and are obeying them, we will do everything we can with God's help to forgive the offense, hurtful, annoying words and actions of other people. That is our objective when these things happen. Proverbs 19 verse 11, this is from the New American Standard Bible. I'll just read it.

By employing the power of God's Spirit within us as disciples of Jesus Christ, we will go all out not to bear animosity toward anyone.

Also, we will, with God's mighty help, put maximum effort into allowing, not allowing our feelings to control us in an undesirable manner.

Certainly all this is a tall order, is it not? I mean, it's a high bar that we're talking about here, and that comes out during these Holy Days. Yet it has everything to do with the meaning of this festival season, which is to cherish the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ, remove sin from our lives and serve other people. Those are three big things right there, serving other people. That was why Christ began the foot washing. So all of us are weak and flawed, aren't we? Every one of us, to one degree or another. And getting us to lose this perspective with other people is Satan's most effective way of prompting us to become irritated and angry and striking back. Philippians 2, verse 3. If you turn there, Philippians 2, verse 3. It's vital to remember that while we certainly can't control others' attitudes or responses, we can control how we respond.

We can make it a point with ourselves that no matter what happens, with God's mighty help, we will always stay focused and centered on loving and serving other people. That's following Jesus Christ. That's the example that he led. Is that our focus? And that should be. And it is. In most cases. We're trying to do that, aren't we? We sure are. Philippians 2, verse 3 says this.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Jesus Christ. Again, none of this is possible by virtue of our own puny human strength. We absolutely need God's Spirit, His aid, His to empower and fortify us continually. We are reminded of this as we witness a tragic situation we watch, we see in our world today.

Individuals and nations around the world can't get along. Why? They don't have the Holy Spirit. See what's going on in the world even right now. Turn, look on your newsfeed, see what's happening everywhere. Fighting continually. Anxiety, all kinds of troubles going on. But brethren, we have been called to live an entirely different and significantly better way of interacting with people. It's about forgiving. It's about forgetting and looking forward. In this regard, there's a story about Confederate General Robert E. Lee. After the Civil War, he visited a Kentucky woman who showed him the remains of a grand old oak tree near her home. She complained bitterly that a trunk and limbs had been severely damaged by a Union artillery fire. She wanted the general to condemn the North, or at least sympathize with her loss. General Lee paused and said, My dear madam, cut it down and forget it.

When considering this wise advice, all of us would do well to cut down any old oak trees.

Offenses that we've been nurturing, perhaps, even with people here in this room. Forgetting, forgetting, forgetting, forgiving and letting go. That's all we need to do. Because of wholehearted love, we do this without reservation, as Jesus himself demonstrated. As he said in John 15 verse 12, My commandment is that you love one another as I have loved you.

There's no wiggle room there, is there?

The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5 verse 14, The law can be summed up in a single degree. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Now let's go back to the situation I referred to earlier in this message about an individual who offended you. Let's say you visit this particular person, going to him or her in a humble manner after following all the instructions of Matthew 18.

About how, tell him how they offended you and all that. But then they refused to respond in like manner, flatly rejecting your appeal.

What should you do? The answer is put it in God's hands.

Leave it there and move on with prayer and hope that reconciliation will take place at a later time. You did your part. Now God can work it out. We just have to let him have it, right?

The Apostle Peter offered important advice on handling such difficult situations. 1 Peter 2 verse 19, this is from the New Living Translation. I'll just read it for you. For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment.

He goes on in verse 21 by saying, for God called you to do good even if it means suffering.

Just as Christ suffered for you, he is your example and you must follow his steps. So yes, we're going to suffer wrongly at times, which can be potentially offensive. But what more did Peter advise us to do? Here in 1 Peter 3 verse 8, New Living Translation says, All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tender-hearted and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God called you to do.

Look at this. And he will grant you a blessing. Isn't that neat? Think about that if you do these things. The Apostle Paul goes on and is saying 1 Peter 4 verse 1, So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer too. So how is this possible for us to do what he says? Because we have something the world doesn't have, which is Jesus Christ living his life over in us, to give us awesome divine strength and determination. Therefore, as we observe this feast upon living bread and beyond, let's apply God's way of love and forgiveness in the face of offenses and troubles. How do we do that? By fully rejecting the self-seeking and ruinous Zach's way, while always choosing God's perfect way of love, service, and forgiveness and sacrifice. And if we do this, a great blessing is awaiting us, as we just talked about.