How many times have we been guilty of [wresting] Scriptures to our own hurt, sometimes because of an ignorance of all the word of God? Other times, we [wrest] the Scriptures to fit our case or cause, going on blindly doing this, willfully because we do not want to be corrected or reproved.
One of these ______ that has been brought to my attention recently is need for light and understanding on should we or should we not vindicate ourselves. There seems to be an understanding or teaching that we should never vindicate ourselves or anything pertaining to ourselves. This is erroneous and should be dealt with, in order that we might better understand the true meaning of vindication.
There are many Christians who take on a martyr role with just this attitude. Even though they could speak and clear up a matter that would help others that are concerned, they remain in tight-lipped silence, believing or feeling they are justified thus.
We can read time after time where Jesus vindicated who He was and what He was doing before hypocrites, gainsayers, authorities ________ and even before His disciples __________. When it came time for him to suffer and die, he did not v_______ return blow for blow, railing for railing, because His hour had arrived and He was God’s sacrificial lamb. But you find Him railing at times and vindicating Himself who and what He was.
Paul, the same, he vindicated his call, his work, his ministry, his apostleship in every way possible. He was not silent when it was time to speak out for himself.
It comes to the fact that it is according to the circumstances. For instance, if we are to help someone by explaining as to why we did a certain thing and they could see it clearer by our explanation, why should we keep silent and say, “I’ll not vindicate myself”? We are to provide things right in the sight of all men. There are times when our acts demand an explanation, when there should be a perfect understanding as to why such was done.
Jesus Christ clearing out temple told why He was acting thus.
Vindicate means justify, to make just and right, to show or declare to have done justly or rightly, to show sufficient cause for doing that which one is charged.
