The Best Defense

I spent much of my life

1. Trying to justify my actions
2. Defending my position
3. Being hurt or offended when I'm misunderstood
4. Trying to right wrongs or fix things that I thought were unfair
5. Being generally rather frustrated when things didn't go my way

Since I asked Jesus to help me with all this and the rest of my rather dysfunctional existence I've learned a few things.

1. The best defense is a great offense

Yeah, I know this cliché line sounds rather simplistic so I will try to explain.

The kids and I have been reading through the four books in the Bible that depict Jesus as he lived here on earth. I started out because I wanted to teach the kids about Jesus, but I am sure that I have learned just as much or more than they have. As we read through these books, we discovered an amazing person. I learned so much that has helped me, but I think one of the greatest things that I am trying to practically apply to my life is how he dealt with injustice.

Here's the picture:

Sinless (yes, sinless) man lives a life above any reproach. At around 30 years old, he begins to teach, heal and perform various other miracles. He develops a great following and people throng to hear his message of hope. As his ministry goes on, his following grows. Local religious leaders fear loss of power, money and prestige because so many are listening to this message of grace and mercy that is in direct opposition to their oppressive and burdensome requirements and regulations. They decide to do something about it.

At first they tried to discredit him which further substantiates his sinless life – if he had done ANYTHING, they would have found it. As they made their empty accusations, each time they tried to put him on the defense, he came back with a great offense and reversed the situation. Each time he was accused, he would answer with logical questions putting his accusers in the position of defending themselves. He never defended himself because there was no reason to. He had done nothing wrong.

When they finally ran out of empty accusations and illogical arguments they began to attack him for saying that he was the Son of God. To this he consistently gave no answer at all or a simple 'it is as you say'. He did not defend himself, he did not get upset, he did not argue or plead his case or point to all of their mistakes and all of his proof. He did not cry out for justice. As he was arrested for the only crime they could come up with – blasphemy for saying he was the Son of God – one of his disciples tried to defend him with a sword cutting off one of the guards ears. Jesus told him to stop and healed the man's ear.

Jesus went to the cross without argument. He went willingly. He came back to life three days later and the legacy of what God has done lives on. It has a force and power beyond anything on this earth.

I wish I could live a life like that. As I seek God and learn more and more about him, my life begins to change and look a little more like what it should and could be. When I remember to react in these ways instead of being defensive, angry or hurt I have much better results in all of my relationships. Even when there is no resolution, there is peace.

The first time this message really hit home with me was as I watched my husband go through what I thought was a terrible injustice. In spite of his innocence, I watched him calmly go through being treated horribly, and severely disciplined for nothing more than good intentions. He acknowledged his own errors and accepted all of the guilt and condemnation that was hurled at him with grace and dignity. As I went through this with him, in the beginning I fought it every step of the way. I tried to fix it, fight it and argue it. Everything in me screamed INJUSTICE.

As time went on… years in fact… I learned to pray more and trust God. I still had my moments when I got angry because the very system that was set up to protect the poor and the innocent has become far less than it was intended and there were times when I wanted to fight it with every thing I had, but Joe would always calm me down and remind me that everything would be okay. In the end, everything turned out fine and Joe was vindicated. I'm sure it came out much better than it would have if we had done it my way.

My life will never be perfect, and there are times when I forget all about how it should/could be, but my desire and growing ability to live a good and right life comes not from any law or rules but because of the love I have received from my God.

Rom 2:4 ...God's kindness leads you toward repentance…

1Pe 2:12 Live such good lives among them that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.