The call of Christianity is to be Christlike. Christ poured
out blessing upon blessing and yet was despised and rejected (Ezekiel 16:2-63),
told the truth and was hated for it (John 8:45, Galatians 4:16), and was found
innocent and still crucified (Matthew 27:23-24, Luke 23:4,14-15, John 19:4).
Jesus was wronged in multitudes of ways and it troubled his
soul. But instead of escaping, of running from the danger, of calling divisions
of angels or the equivalent of the 8th Air Force to his rescue, he opted
to suffer wrong, despising the shame, for the joy that was set before him. “What
shall I say, ‘Father save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come
to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” (John 12:27-28)
We live in an era of offense, where it is common for people
trained to be victims in everything can declare they are wronged even if they
aren’t wronged. The idea of Critical Theory states that someone has to be
oppressing me, so I need to declare my wrong and you need to acknowledge it.
Christianity could not be any more opposite. Every offense, every overtasking,
every stolen credit, every curt word is an opportunity to be like Christ and
absorb that offense so that forgiveness and love and joy can propagate throughout
the culture.
Being wronged opens the opportunity for forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not optional, “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
(Colossians 3:13) Forgiveness acknowledges that a price must be paid, and to
salvage the relationship I am willing to pay it, even if I am not the debtor, even if the sin was against me.
A chaplain who does not understand this will foment
bitterness and unforgiveness and backbiting everywhere he goes. Such a chaplain is not fit
to be a chaplain, a Christian, or a follower of Christ.
Lord, do not hold this sin against them. ~ Deacon Stephen, Acts 7:60
Key Verse: Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not
rather be defrauded? ~ 1 Corinthians 6:7
More:
1. In marriage counseling I love to point out that we get to be
like Jesus when we pay more than our fair share. In all circumstances, if someone
has to pay more, then why not me? Maybe that reminds you of the sermon on the
mount, turning the other cheek or going the extra mile. Zig Ziglar reminds us
that “There are no traffic jams on the second mile.” Where can you go a second
mile this week?
2. Winfrid Boniface, missionary to the Germanic tribes, was
ambushed on the banks of the Bordne River. It was apparent that he and the men
he was with could have defended themselves, but instead decided that if they
were killed, they knew they would be with Christ, but if they killed their attackers,
they knew their attackers would be lost forever. Boniface is an extreme
example, but his declaration, “Cease fighting. Lay down your arms. We are told
in scripture not to render evil for evil but to overcome evil by good.”
(quoting Romans 12:21) is a powerful illustration of “Why not suffer wrong?” If
Jesus, and Boniface, could lay down their lives for others, which offense do
you need to overlook today for the sake of the kingdom?
3. The temptation when someone wrongs us is to say, “It’s ok.”
We teach the kids in our church instead to say, “It’s not ok, you could have
really hurt me and/or our friendship, but Jesus forgave me so I forgive you.”
Is there anyone you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from? Is it optional?
4. Further Resources:
Elliot, Elisabeth. Why Not Be Wronged? Grand Rapids
MI: Revell, 1977.
Sande, Ken. The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving
Personal Conflict. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2004.
Willibald. The Life of Saint Boniface. Translated by
George W. Robinson. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1916.
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