Why Not Suffer Wrong?

Why not rather suffer wrong?  Why not rather be defrauded?

I am not sure there are any words in all of Scripture that I find more difficult.  The Apostle Paul asks these two questions in 1 Corinthians 6:7.  The message behind these questions is consistent with the teaching of Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 5:39 

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

It is also consistent with Paul's words in other places throughout his epistles.

Romans 12:17 

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Paul even sets up himself and the other apostles as examples of this kind of response to wrongdoing earlier in his letter to the Corinthian church.

1 Corinthians 4:12b-13 

When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lists some sins that we might be tempted to label as the more serious sins.  Paul does say that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  However, it is not in those areas that I find my deepest struggles in the Christian life.

I have a tendency to think that I must defend myself.  I think that if I don't watch out for myself, no one else will.  My struggle is with treating people in a Christ like manner especially when it is inconvenient for me.  I struggle with allowing myself to suffer harm without retribution.  I often find it inconceivable that I could allow someone to speak evil of me without defending myself.  I rebel against allowing for the possibility that someone might take advantage of my kindness or generosity.

The Christian gospel demands better of me.  Because of my struggle to love others, I am the unrighteous that Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 6:9.  Apart from Christ, I will not inherit the kingdom of God.

It is in this moment that I am reminded of Romans 5:8, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

This is the truth that I need.  I need the example of Jesus to follow, and I need the forgiveness of Jesus when I fail.

Apart from Christ, I am an enemy of God.  I praise God that Jesus did not seek revenge against me.  He did not wait for me to make things right.  He suffered wrong.  He was mocked and beaten.  He laid down His life for you and me.

When you or I would have shouted, "Father, destroy them," He shouted, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

This is the gospel of Christ.  This is the unfathomable love you and I have received.  This is the unfathomable love we have been called to demonstrate to others.

May we follow the example of Jesus, and fall on His mercy and grace when we fail.


You can listen to my sermon from 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 by clicking here.