Walking...
The Perfection of the Father
Nothing has done greater damage to our Christian testimony than our trying to be right and demanding right of others. We become preoccupied with what is and what is not right. We ask ourselves,Have we been justly or unjustly treated? and we think thus to vindicate our actions. But [as Christians] that is not our standard. The whole question for us is one of cross-bearing. You ask me, "Is it right for someone to strike my cheek?" I reply, "Of course not! But the question is, do you only want to be right?" AS Christians our standard of living can never be "right or wrong," but the Cross. The Principle of the Cross is our principle of conduct. Praise God that he makes his sun to shine on the evil and the good. With him it is a question of his grace and not of right or wrong. But that is to be our standard also: "Forgive each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). "Right or wrong" is the principle of the Gentiles and tax gathers. My life is to be governed by the principle of the Cross and the perfection of the Father: "Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
[...]
So, my brethren, don't stand on your right. Don't feel that because you have gone the second mile you have done what is just. The second mile is only typical of the third and the fourth. The principle is that of conformity to Christ. We have nothing to stand for, nothing to ask our demands. We have only to give. When the Lord Jesus died on the Cross, he did not do so to defend our "rights"; it was grace that took him there. Now, as his children, we try always to give others what is their due and more. [Why? but for out own selfish ambition.]
from:"Sit, Walk, Stand"
by: Watchman Nee
Nothing has done greater damage to our Christian testimony than our trying to be right and demanding right of others. We become preoccupied with what is and what is not right. We ask ourselves,Have we been justly or unjustly treated? and we think thus to vindicate our actions. But [as Christians] that is not our standard. The whole question for us is one of cross-bearing. You ask me, "Is it right for someone to strike my cheek?" I reply, "Of course not! But the question is, do you only want to be right?" AS Christians our standard of living can never be "right or wrong," but the Cross. The Principle of the Cross is our principle of conduct. Praise God that he makes his sun to shine on the evil and the good. With him it is a question of his grace and not of right or wrong. But that is to be our standard also: "Forgive each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). "Right or wrong" is the principle of the Gentiles and tax gathers. My life is to be governed by the principle of the Cross and the perfection of the Father: "Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
[...]
So, my brethren, don't stand on your right. Don't feel that because you have gone the second mile you have done what is just. The second mile is only typical of the third and the fourth. The principle is that of conformity to Christ. We have nothing to stand for, nothing to ask our demands. We have only to give. When the Lord Jesus died on the Cross, he did not do so to defend our "rights"; it was grace that took him there. Now, as his children, we try always to give others what is their due and more. [Why? but for out own selfish ambition.]
from:"Sit, Walk, Stand"
by: Watchman Nee
posted by benjermenJ at 7:56 PM
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