Blessing People Into Submission

Today’s message reveals another paradox about the Christian life: that if you want to see a stubborn, prideful person break, you often need to “bless” them into submission. The Bible story is about how Peter knelt in humility before Jesus after the huge catch of fish. The pastor clarifies that Jesus did not offer Peter this blessing because of his righteous living, but in spite of his unrighteous living. The effect proved the words of Proverbs 25 and Romans 12: that in blessing those who oppose you, you “heap burning coals upon their heads.” When the world says to “fight fire with fire,” the Bible says to “overcome evil with good.”