Living the supernatural life
“Since you died with Christ to the basic principle of the world, why, as though you belong to it, do you submit to its rules.” Colossians 2:20
At a bible study class, the topic, “how to foster brotherly love through forgiveness” was being taught. The teacher of the class then posed a question, “what relationship will you have with a Christian brother who keeps offending you?” Many people said they will keep forgiving that brother but they will keep their distance so that, that act of always being wronged will seize. This suggestion felt alright to me. Who wants to be around someone who keeps offending him/her? However, one suggestion blew my mind and I realized, Christianity is not for the faint-hearted.
One brother stood up and said, if we avoid that brother, that is a normal thing for the people of the world also to do. But as Christians, we are to live a supernatural life so that we can distinguish ourselves from the world. So for him, he will not ignore the brother but after a talk with the brother about that behaviour and the brother does not change, he will overlook that wrong and then will not let that wrong offend him anymore. Then he will rather get closer to the brother to find out a way to help him with that problem. As I sat there and listened to this Christian brother, I kept asking, “how is this suggestion possible to do?”
But it is so possible though difficult. It takes a determined Christian who wants to distinguish him/herself from the people of the world to do this. The world says, “I can forgive but I can’t forget” but we will say, “I will forgive you and hold it not against you. The world says, “I will avoid you so you can stop hurting me” but we will say, “I will draw closer to help you stop hurting me.” The world says, “He wronged me so he must come and apologize” but we will say, “I need my brother back so I will go to him and settle things with him.” The world says, “that belongs to me and you took it from me so I must get it back at all cost” but we will say, “I will let you have it for the sake of peace.”
Anytime you have to act, ask if the world will see your actions as normal or supernatural. Always aim for the latter. May God continue to strengthen us throughout our Christian journey. God bless you.