1 Peter 2:23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  Controversy,  I hate it, don’t you?  In a world cursed by sin, full of people that fall short every day, controversy is almost impossible to avoid.  Many families are faced with it. Many church fellowships are destroyed because of it.  Many neighbors have conflict between them.  I have met a few people who would rather argue than eat!   One thing I can say is that God knows it’s true, I almost, if not, always lose sleep over controversy.   We could learn a lot from Jesus!   Instead of responding to the critics, he just committed Himself to the Father, kept His heart right, and continued doing the will of God!
Oh, that I could say I always did the same!  Swift to hear, slow to speak!  Human nature is just the opposite!  But… God’s dear people have another nature, a divine nature, that allows us to reflect His mercy and grace in the midst of controversy.  The problem really comes down to this… Will we be led by the old man or the new man in Christ?
I’ve experienced controversy both ways, what about you?
Lord, help us today to do all we can to avoid controversy and when it can’t be avoided, to respond more like you. Amen.
Pastor