"My Utmost For His Highest" that I shared on this blog yesterday, was actually supposed to be for today! I believe that there are NO coincidences! I believe that the One True God of the Bible wanted us to see that yesterday! I also believe that the one that was supposed to be posted yesterday should be shared, so we will look at it today!
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. — Matthew 5:39
These verses reveal the humiliation of being a Christian. Naturally, if a man does not hit back, it is because he is a coward; but spiritually if a man does not hit back, it is a manifestation of the Son of God in him. When you are insulted, you must not only not resent it, but make it an occasion to exhibit the Son of God. You cannot imitate the disposition of Jesus; it is either there or it is not. To the saint personal insult becomes the occasion of revealing the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus.
The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not – Do your duty, but – Do what is not your duty. It is not your duty to go the second mile, to turn the other cheek, but Jesus says if we are His disciples we shall always do these things. There will be no spirit of – "Oh, well, I cannot do any more, I have been so misrepresented and misunderstood." Every time I insist upon my rights, I hurt the Son of God; whereas I can prevent Jesus from being hurt if I take the blow myself. That is the meaning of filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ. The disciple realizes that it is his Lord’s honour that is at stake in his life, not his own honour.
Never look for right in the other man, but never cease to be right yourself. We are always looking for justice; the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is – Never look for justice, but never cease to give it.
When he said, in the first paragraph, that we cannot imitate the disposition of Jesus, He meant that it is NOT possible to really and consistently ACT like Jesus would UNLESS we are so in tune with Him that we are beginning to understand, not just HOW He would operate in any given situation, but WHY! Have you ever heard this?
"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."
Believe it or not, THIS is a quote by Friedrich Nietzsche! Although he was "dead" wrong about God (HE famously said "God is Dead"), this statement is very true! When you and I want what God wants, for the same reason and purpose that God wants it, we will allow nothing to get in the way of our success! Make it your determined purpose to make God's #1 priority also be yours! When you do this, you are in a definite position to be blessed and to be a BLESSING! AMEN! Remember that it is NOT the will of God that ANY should perish (2 Peter 3:9). He has done everything needful to get salvation to every person! CHOICES are being made, some good and some not so good! Make sure that YOU are presenting the Gospel in the Light of the Truth of the Word of God! Who could ever resist THAT? AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "No Reason To Hide":
Shalom in Him!
