A backyard bash was underway when a man carrying a gun approached and demanded money from the partygoers. The partiers would have handed their money to the bandit, but no one had any cash! So they offered what they did have—a drink. Surprisingly, the crook accepted and joined their party. An unexpected response changed everything.
According to psychologists, “responding in an unexpected way to prompt a positive response” is called noncomplementarity. In the vernacular, it’s called upending. As trendy as it may seem, the idea is centuries old. Jesus said, “Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those you hurt you” (Luke 6:27-28).
Paul and Silas modeled upending when they didn’t run away from a jail where they’d been locked up. God used a late-night earthquake to unfasten their chains and open the prison doors. Shaken awake, the jailer assumed his prisoners had escaped. He drew his sword to end his life, but Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” (Acts 16:28).
Although the jailer had been the one to restrain them in stocks and keep them confined, they prevented him from hurting himself. Perhaps because of their kindness, he fell down before them pleading, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). That day the prison guard and his whole household trusted Jesus for salvation.
As the Holy Spirit gives us the power to go against our natural instincts for self-protection and revenge, it will cause people to wonder why. Kindness toward offenders reveals the reality of Jesus and His grace at work within us. Choosing a Spirit-led response in difficult situations honors Him—the greatest “upender” of all time (Luke 23:33-34).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 4:16-30
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 4:6 to see how God has upended the destiny of every believer in Jesus.
Next:
What’s the relationship between upending and grace? Think about the week ahead. What could you do to upend a difficult situation?
Gary Shultz on June 23, 2017 at 5:35 am
Hi Jennifer: You ask about the relationship between “upending” and grace. To me any time the situation is “upended” grace must be there. If the lesser or original is interrupted the greater must be able to be seen and attained. Of course today’s reading is a great example. Once grace was clearly defined, it was seen as a new and better way of thought and life. I very much like that you ask us to think ahead, and see how we can plug grace into our lives and circumstances. Paul and Silas took a severe beating and were treated harshly; however, through their faithfulness and God’s grace, at least a whole family immediately found the answer of grace in their lives, and in many more the seeds of grace were planted. And as you know planning is one thing, but circumstances often unfold rapidly and in unexpected ways. Staying in step with God is a good way to be prepared and supported in crazy and upending situations. Thanks Jennifer.
jennifer schuldt on June 23, 2017 at 9:45 am
Hi Gary,
Interestingly, our pastor spoke on this passage last weekend. He gave a few details about the harsh treatment Paul and Silas received. My husband leaned over and said exactly what I was thinking…”It’s a miracle they didn’t die from what happened to them.” We kept listening and a few verses later, we learned that the prison guard took Paul and Silas to his home and cared for their wounds. Perhaps God used the jailer to extend the lives (and ministry) of Paul and Silas. If they hadn’t been kind to the jailer, who knows what would have happened? It’s encouraging to think that the grace we extend to others sometimes revisits us. Thanks for your comment today!
God's Masterpiece1476 on June 23, 2017 at 5:35 pm
I believe that no matter what situations we may have to face in this life or how bad things get God’s grace is sufficient for us as his strength is perfected in our weaknesses. God has endowed us with supernatural power and strength to face every situation and circumstance we will ever face in this life. We are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb, and God has given us the victory. For He who is in us is greater than he who is in this world. God says that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Be blessed and encouraged brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord. ☺️