I wish it was that easy to spot the good guys now.
When I was a kid, we would come home from church and watch the Lone Ranger, and Gene Autry on TV. Other sagas were much the same, the good guys wore white hats. It was easy while they were fighting, to keep track of who we were cheering for. Unfortunately life is a little more complicated. Like in the Garden of Eden, sin comes creeping in and uses beguiling talk to lure the innocent in. They are captured before they even know they were pursued.
So what do you do? You watch, and choose carefully who your friends are and where you go. Be one of the good guys. You will be known, not by your white hat, but by your words and deeds. The key is, no matter how badly you are treated, turn the other cheek. Chalk it up to ignorance, and jealously. They don’t know what it is like to have the love of Christ in them, so they do not want you to have it either. They will do anything they can to get you to lose your cool and lash out just like they do. Spewing ugly words and actions, this will make you look just like them. It is not easy to be a good guy, but it is well worth the effort. God said he will not let you be tempted more than you can handle. He will provide an escape for you. Turn the other cheek is not just a turn of phrase, but an action. Not easy when you are being called names, or falsely accused. Jesus, as an example stood silent in front of those who were wrongly accusing him. When you do speak, make it count for something, LOVE thy neighbor. That doesn’t mean the people in the house next door, but whomever you are near at the time. Love conquers all!
As parents it is a hard lesson to teach our children not to retaliate when they are being called names and bullied. Teach them early that retaliation only ends with both of the people involved feel badly. Teach them to feel safe in God’s love, and display that sense of security in the home reaffirming that love on a daily basis. Make sure at an early age, they know they can tell you anything, and anger will not be their reward for their honesty. Love is the key!
We as writes throw the word love around like a Frisbee. The actual act of love is a very complicated emotion, and should never be treated lightly.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luke 6:31
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:39, 44
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 13:35