To prevent excessive punishments, the Old Testament required an "eye for an eye."
Jesus changed that law:(1)
"You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury...But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too." Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus was condemning personal revenge. He wants us to return good for evil and pray for our enemies (Matthew 7:12; Romans 12:19; Romans 12:21; Matthew 5:44).
He was not telling us to ignore or embrace injustice.
Christians must stand against injustice (Psalm 82:4; Proverbs 24:11).
Without vengeance, we can also address our own mistreatment. Jesus and Paul did (John 18:22-23; Acts 16:35-37; Acts 23:1-11; Acts 22:25).
Sometimes, however, we must give up our rights for the sake of the gospel and the good of others (1 Corinthians 6:6-7; Philippians 2:3-4).
Christ suffered great injustice for our sake. He gives us strength to bear it for His sake (Philippians 4:13).
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(1) Jesus didn’t abolish "the law and the prophets" -Matthew 5:17. He fulfilled the law and took us out from under it's control (Romans 6:14;Galatians 3:11).
Do a short Bible study on this devotion: Bite Size Bible Study.
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I think Jesus didn't mean to allow ourselves to be mistreated but was warning us against hasty retaliation. If governments would take His words and apply them, wars would cease.
ReplyDeletePerhaps doing this would prevent wars, Cindy, but I think it would also result in bully governments running the world. Even if the whole world was Christian, I doubt it would end wars this side of heaven.
DeleteWe are fallen creatures.
But it's a nice thought.
God bless you.
It was known in their culture that one act of offense would trigger a 'revenge' act by the one offended, but they also had a tendency to 'one up' each other. "kill my sheep, and I'll kill two of yours." "kill two of my sheep and I'll kill three of yours...etc" It wasn't unusual to see things get well out of control when 'vengeance ' set in. This is why the Lord says..."vengeance is mine. I shall repay." Jesus is the Prince of Peace. We are his ambassadors of peace. Our commission is to love, be merciful and be kind..."as much as lies with in us." Spread love, for "God is love." <3
ReplyDelete