The Heart of the Law: Part 4

Have you ever experienced mistreatment? Maybe someone insulted you. Maybe someone stole something from you. Maybe someone is using their wealth or power or influence to make your life difficult. Whether big or small, most of us have lived through a situation where things just were not fair. So how do we respond when that happens? In this message from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives instructions that will challenge the way we normally respond to mistreatment and call us to go way beyond justice to actually love our enemies.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

- Matthew 5:38-48