What I Should Have Said

We have all been there.  Someone says or does something that makes you angry and you are left speechless.  Later on, you think of the perfect response.  It is succinct, funny and completely summarizes your point of view.  It would have been nice if at the time you would have come up with something better than "Says You."

I think we get caught off guard because we aren't anticipating whatever we need the come back for.  So we are too surprised to really think.  OOOO!  Next time though.

The odd thing is that as Christians we aren't commanded to  give a snappy comeback.  Sarcasm is not a spiritual gift.  During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was very clear about what we are to do when confronted by our enemies.  We are to turn the other cheek.  Jesus said that when an enemy strikes you on the right cheek, to offer him your left as well.  In other words, take the hit.  So while we are searching for the response; while we are called to stand down and not do it.  We are not to give back in kind.  We are to take it and prepare to take another.

But there is a little more to it.  In addition to taking it and preparing to take another, we are called to love our attacker.  Think about it.  Our call as Christians is confront an attack with love.  Love.  But what about the snappy come back?

I think that we are called to love our enemies because it is unexpected in this world.  I think that when we respond in love, our enemies can see the love of God flow through us.  We respond in love because it is unnatural.  We know that it is not really within our own ability to do this.  It is only by the grace of God that we can confront anger with love.  

We respond with love, although it makes us uncomfortable, because what is important is not our own comfort, but rather what is important is bringing glory to God.

Watch this clip from Pastor Chris.

His glory.  Not our pleasure.  

We are called to be different from this world.  We are called to act in a way that is unexpected.  And through this bring glory to God.  It is worth much more than a snappy comeback.