Wishing each of you a very happy Sabbath and God's peace.
INNER PEACE
By Vernon Grounds
"Be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing" 1 Peter 3:8
How do we react to hostile criticism? If it causes us to angrily strike back at out critics, we need to learn from colonial preacher Jonathan Edwards. (1703-1758)
Regarded by scholars as an insightful philosopher, Edwards was vindictively attacked by the ruling body of his church in Northampton, Massachusetts. They felt he was wrong to teach that a person needed to be born again before taking part in the Lords Supper.
Although he was dismissed from his church, Edwards still maintained a loving and forgiving attitude. One supportive member wrote of him, " I never saw the least symptoms of displeasure in his countenance. . . , but he appeared like a man of God, whose happiness was out of the reach of his enemies."
Edwards was simply copying the example of the Lord Jesus. When the Savior was insulted, He did not repay with an insult. When He was falsely denounced, He remained silent "as a sheep before its shearers is silent" (Isa.57:3).
Do you have inner peace even when criticized? As you ask the Holy Spirit for His help, you can, as Edwards did, respond in a Christlike way to false accusations or gossip.
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For further study
How do we know when to keep silent and when to defend our beliefs?
How do we know when to keep silent and when to defend our beliefs?
Read Developing the Art of Gracious Disagreement
at www.discoveryseries.org/q0906
at www.discoveryseries.org/q0906
Blessings, your brother in Christ,
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The worst criticizm of you can bring out the best in you.
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