(Spiritual Thai Boxing Part II, Goin’ to the Mat with Matt)

Phrased in this context or asked in Sunday School, this is usually is a no-brainer for Christians. We know that we deserve the eternal wrath of God, but by his mercy we were redeemed. The question though is how does that affect our dealings outside of the context of the church (or should it)?

How about this, your family wants to treat itself after a long, hard day and so heads over to the local restaurant for a nice meal. The meal turns out to be anything but pleasant, the waitress gets the order wrong, is slow to refill drinks and is not apologetic, but instead very rude. What is your reaction? Mine is anger.

The question is why? Why does it hurt us or make us so angry when somebody mistreats us? I would submit that is none other than our proud, selfish hearts. It is the heart of pride that tells us “I don’t deserve to be treated this way, I deserve much better”. God’s answer though is, not only do you deserve it, you deserve much worse. In fact if we really could see our hearts through God’s eyes it would leave us with a lifetime of utter despair. Praise God for his mercy!

Christ’s example for us is a person who did not defend himself, he defended the Church, God and those unable to defend themselves. We think too much of ourselves. What does it mean to be a man? Standing up for what is right, defending the weak, sharing the gospel at risk of friendship, loss of job or just plain rejection, praying out loud at a restaurant, being faithful to our wives, confessing our sins to each other. The man of God can take mistreatment, because his foundation is the Rock, Christ Jesus. He is secure in that alone. When someone spits in his face, he remembers with sorrow spitting in Christ’s face.

So what about the waitress? How about instead of anger, react with mercy. Double the tip and leave a note: “I didn’t appreciate the service I received, but I know that I have had bad days and done much worse. Thankfully God has mercy on all of us. May the grace and peace of Christ be with both of us.”.

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:3-11, ESV)