3:36 – Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right

#faithbites #faithjourney wrongs

Sometimes a microcosm of the world shows up in your own world. Tonight, my youngest told me she and her best friend weren’t friends anymore. I asked her why, and she said her friend didn’t want to be friends because my daughter colored in her friend’s book. Then, I asked her why and she said her friend colored in my daughter’s book first. I asked her if that was right and she said no. Two wrongs, don’t make a right. I then told her that she needs to tell her friend she is sorry for coloring in her book. My youngest then asked me, she needs to say sorry too. It’s not fair if she doesn’t say it. I told her that even if her friend doesn’t say sorry, you need to forgive her in your heart. I said have a big heart and she says everyone does. So I said, forgive like Jesus. She then said he has the biggest heart.

Here’s the thing: We will never advance or emulate Jesus if we say it’s ok if I do bad because others do. We can’t be Christ-like if we are drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.

I don’t expect perfection, Lord knows I’m far from it. I know that I try to forgive and live the best life I can regardless of what others do. Imagine, if we forgave those who didn’t ask for it. Imagine if we didn’t justify our actions by what others do.

Scripture

• When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. – 1 Peter 2:23
• “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. – Luke 6:27-28
• Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.” – Proverbs 24:29

Reflection

Nothing is won through retaliation in kind. We have many examples when “good” people in the Bible were hated, cursed, and killed but did not attack back. Our Lord tells us that to trust him. We shall not judge. Rather, kill them with kindness.

Some tell me, I’m naive. That now it is time to be like Jesus and flip over tables. We can still challenge and try to redirect without losing our cool and retaliating in kind. When we attack, we lose. Our Lord didn’t come with an army to conquer, he came on a donkey with the message of love and salvation.

Let’s look to that lesson of love, salvation, and forgiveness rather than retaliation in kind. I hope my daughter learns that and showers her friend with love tomorrow rather than trying to do another wrong in hopes of making a right.

Challenge

Are you ready to retaliate? If so, put yourself in that persons shoes. Would your actions change? If that person you wanted to retaliate did the same behavior but was a member of your faction, would you treat them differently? Try to approach them with love and kindness, see if that works.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we often want to get even when we are wronged. Some use anger to strike back. Remind us that we are not to act that way. Let us be like Peter and entrust their judgement to you. Give us your strength so we can continue to share love, peace, and comfort. Help us when our anger gets the best of us. Provide us with new solutions to problems we never thought possible. Lord, we thank you for your eternal presence in our lives. In your loving name, Amen.