25th December 2020
TOLERANCE
David Abankwah
READ: Lamentations 3:30; 1 Peter 3:9
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
-Matthew 5:39 | NKJV
As it was written in time past by the first Teacher chosen by God to sit on the seat of Teaching – Moses, retaliation was the order of the day. In fact, if we had been Moses, we would have wrote stricter laws than him. The Israelites were worrying him with issues of which many were trivial. As they journeyed from Egypt towards the promised land – Canaan, when there was an issue between the people, they had to stop for Moses to settle that matter before they could move on. What made their journey farther than usual was not only the shortcut they didn’t take as willed by God, but issues Moses and Joshua had to deal for the people they were journeying with. It was these same people who couldn’t make Moses reach Canaan.
If you don’t take care as a Minister of God, your own church members will lead you to hell. You may have the heart to help them as it is required of every Minister, but many are not there purposely for eternal life. Some came there to tempt you so you can retaliate and sin against God. Moses retaliated at the offence of the people that was why he stroke the rock for the water to come out. Retaliation will not end us anywhere. It will make us lose Jesus Christ. Who on earth had suffered more than Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ was not a sinner to suffer the punishment of His wrongdoings. But because He had to save us, He had to bear our offences and tolerate every horrible thing they would do against Him.
If there is any Perfect Person to teach us tolerance it is Jesus Christ. He has taught us not to resist those who sin against us. He knows for sure that there are good times and there are bad times. He knows that we will mourn that was why He had provided the Comforter. Sometimes people you have not done them any wrong will offend you. Some people you have done them good, will repay you evil for good. Can you always tolerate them to offend you so you can overcome? That’s a problem. If you want to know you are matured in Christianity then you have to be willing and not compelled to love your enemies. And you can’t love your enemies by resisting them not to offend you. That is why you have to tolerate their actions.
People have to offend you so you too can apply the Christian virtue of forgiveness in you. Don’t say you can forgive, if people don’t offend you. It is high time we stop saying we go to church and practise the words of Jesus Christ. It is Him who will judge us and He will do so based on the relationship we have with Him and others. If there is anyone who can be your potential enemy, then it is your friend, family, or people closer to you. Those are the ones the devil will use to strike your cheek (offend) and see if you will retaliate or tolerate. You are not weak if you don’t respond. It is peace you want and not war. Sometimes you have the might, authority, and power to retaliate, but listen to the voice of Jesus Christ: TOLERATE THOSE WHO OFFEND YOU (turn the other to him also).
•| Prayer Diary |•
Lift up prayers for the grace to tolerate those who offend you without retaliation in the name of Jesus Christ.
Quote
Until you can have the power to tolerate offences and overcome them with forgiveness, you can not become a child of God.
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© 2020 David Abankwah
David Abankwah 