This may be hard for some. It is difficult for me, but meekness and humility does not return an equal response to the oppressor Preceding the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in August, On March 7, 1965, police, state troopers, and a band of citizens violently attacked the civil rights marchers seeking to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, United States. How did the civil rights marchers respond?  They held their peace. They did not respond in kind.

We are continuing our examination of the Life of Christ and others from the perspective of Living in a Crucible. 

Symbolically, a crucible is the fiery trials we experience as we grow and develop.

Crucibles are painful, they are uncomfortable, and they hurt, but they are beneficial in developing our character.

From the Sabbath School Adult Bible Study Guide 2022 Quarter 3: Sabbath.School

See also Hope Sabbath School and 3ABN Sabbath School

Inviting the Holy Spirit’s Presence

Holy Father, in our humanness, not responding in kind to mistreatment is difficult. But you call for us to be humble and meek.  Teach us your ways and give us the will to follow. In Jesus Name Amen.

It is one thing to love your enemies and do good toward them. But it is another thing to hold your peace in the middle of unfair and painful treatment. But this is exactly what the people of God are called to do.

As have been previously discussed, a humble or meek person is not prideful or high minded.  Instead, a humble person is patient and kind to even the people who cause them harm. The most powerful example of humility and meekness is Jesus. Jesus’ command to his disciples in Mathew 11:29,

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29)

This statement is far deeper than we can imagine.

What is even more surprising and perhaps alarming is 1 Peter 2:18–25.

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (I Peter 2:18-25)

This could be troubling!

Peter offers some surprising advice to Christian slaves. He describes to them how Jesus responded when he was treated painfully and unjustly. Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 2:21 that we are called to follow Jesus’ example.

He says:  21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: (I Peter 2:21). (Split)

What then does Jesus do to show what it means to have an “humble heart”? How can we remain humble when in the crucible?

It is not easy to watch someone hurt another person. It causes us to feel bad when we see someone hurt for no justified reason. We even feel worse when we are personally on the receiving end. When we see injustice, it is our natural instinct to want to step in and make things right. It is our human nature to want things in life to be fair.

Thus, when we see injustice, when we see innocent people suffer, when we see inhumane treat of others, we become angry and want to do something to relieve the pain.

This is not to say that anger is an inappropriate response; however, it does become inappropriate when we respond in the same manner as the oppressor.

Nevertheless, admitting that anger is a natural response, Paul, in Ephesians 4:26 says: 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, (Ephesians4:26).

Thus, anger is a natural human response to injustice and unfair treatment. But is anger the solution to the problem?

The problem with anger is that we suffer when we carry anger in our hearts. So, what must we do with our anger? We must not sin. We must not do evil for evil.

All would agree that it is not easy to live meekly or to walk humbly when being mistreated. In reality it is humanly impossible to be meek and humble without embracing the idea that our Father in heaven is in control and that He will act on our behalf when it is according to His will. Though, the civil rights activist did not respond in kind to how they were treated when marching across that bridge. It brought about results. The voting rights act was passed in August of that same year. We must believe that God will help us when doing so will bless other people and bring honor to His name.

On the other hand, we must be willing to accept and acknowledge that God may not always keep us from suffering. Like Jesus, we may not always be able to avoid injustice. For instance, God did not keep Jesus from dying on the cross. We may suffer things that are not fair. But we must always remember that our Father in heaven is with us, and He is in control.

Peter’s advice to us is surprising and uncomfortable. Why? But the point is when we do not fight back against the ones who blame us and cause our suffering, we show powerful proof of God’s love.

For instance, Jesus, when facing Caiaphas and Pilate, He could have said many things to correct the situation and to justify Himself, but He didn’t. His silence was a testimony to His humility and meekness.

The following is excellent counsel on how to handle mistreatment:

It is not how much feeling we manifest over injustice in treatment that reveals strength of character, but it is the self-control, the firm check put upon a strong emotion, that shows strength of character and the spirit of Jesus. The tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God is to be given to the overcomer. It is the reward given to conquest, to toil and self-sacrifice, to the working Christian who will fight the good fight of faith. We must be nobly striving and fighting for the victory. The grace of Christ will be given to all who fight lawfully.

. . . Take as little notice as possible of what people say. Let them say what they will, but do not by word or deportment show the rising up of self. The Lord would have you pursue such a course that you will be considered worthy of trust and confidence. . . . If you show that you have a firm reliance upon God, you will gain respect and confidence and then you will exert an influence for good. You will let your light shine forth to the best advantage. You will seek to represent Jesus. You know our Saviour was reviled, but He reviled not again. He was despised and rejected of men. Can His followers expect anything better in this life? May our gracious heavenly Father impart to each of us more grace and may we rejoice in His love.—Letter 99, June 18, 1886. Adapted

How do you behave when people are not fair or loving to you? What can you do better?

James 1:19 offers excellent advice it says: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, (James 1:19 NIV).

It is believed that in most cases those that are quick to become angry, retaliate, and respond in kind to bad treatment suffer from low self-esteem. What is the remedy for low self-esteem? How can we be assured of our worth?

Find out in Day 6: Our Sense of Security and Worth