Turning The Other Cheek
October 16th, 2008 Categories: Christian Business Blog
My pastor taught a brilliant lesson yesterday about turning the other cheek, going the second mile, etc. It was timely, and I purposed in my heart to apply it to my life immediately. Wouldn’t you know, today I had an employee begin to slander me unjustly in the workplace.
Now, I have authority over this person. I could have fired them, made life miserable, or at the very least given them a stern talking-to. Instead, I walked back to my office and spent a half hour in prayer. I can’t honestly say that I wasn’t angry, but I didn’t retaliate, even though it was my right to do so according to the laws of man that govern the workplace.
The problem is this: Paul said, “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. (1 Corinthians 9:19)”
Although the world may say that I have the right to fire the person, make their life miserable, etc., the bible tells me that I am to default to the higher calling of love at all times. Slaves have no rights. You know who else has no rights? Dead people.
“For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, (Romans 6:5)”
The thing about Christ’s death is that it was voluntary. He had the authority, power, and every right to retalliate against those who were nailing him to the cross, but he didn’t. He had already committed himself to death on my behalf, and dead people have no rights.
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Nice article. Thanks.
Eugene