Matthew 5:38-42 - Vengeance Belongs To God.
Matthew 5:38-42: Vengeance Belongs To God.
Matthew 5:38-42 (NLT) You have heard the law that says the
punishment must match the injury: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a
tooth. 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you
on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued
in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41
If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,[b] carry
it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and dont turn away from
those who want to borrow.
Matthew 5:38-42 (GNT) You have heard that it was said, An
eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But now I tell you:
do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you
on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek too. 40 And if
someone takes you to court to sue you for your shirt, let him have your
coat as well. 41 And if one of the occupation troops forces you to
carry his pack one mile, carry it two miles. 42 When someone asks you
for something, give it to him; when someone wants to borrow
something, lend it to him.
DEVOTIONAL PEARL
Suffering Afflictions and Going the Second Mile
I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps
you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also (Matthew
5:39).
This verse reveals the humiliation of being a Christian. In
the natural realm, if a person does not hit back, it is because he
is a coward. But in the spiritual realm, it is the very evidence of
the Son of God in him if he does not hit back. When you are
insulted, you must not only not resent it, but you must make it an
opportunity to exhibit the Son of God in your life. And you cannot imitate
the nature of Jesus"it is either in you or it is not. A personal
insult becomes an opportunity for a saint to reveal the incredible
sweetness of the Lord Jesus.
The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not, Do your
duty, but is, in effect, Do what is not your duty. It is not
your duty to go the second mile, or to turn the other cheek, but
Jesus said that if we are His disciples, we will always do these
things. We will not say, Oh well, I just cant do any more, and
Ive been so misrepresented and misunderstood. Every time I insist
on having my own rights, I hurt the Son of God, while in fact I can
prevent Jesus from being hurt if I will take the blow myself. That is
the real meaning of filling up in my flesh what is lacking in the
afflictions of Christ (Colossians 1:24). A disciple realizes that it is
his Lords honor that is at stake in his life, not his own honor.
Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never
cease to be righteous yourself. We are always looking for justice, yet
the essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is"Never
look for justice, but never cease to give it. [My Utmost for His
Highest by Oswald Chambers]
EXCELLENT SERMON ON THIS PASSAGE
143 Eye for an Eye by Pastor Jeff Carlson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rop-ft0rkio
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20051107-1011.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518