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…Americans love their __rights__, their inalienable rights!!!! “Life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
…Today much is heard about people __demanding__ their rights…civil
rights, women’s rights, student rights…this self-interested, self-protecting
spirit characterizes fallen man, who is filled with __self__.
Retaliation is often our first...
…Jesus, in this fifth illustration, tells us, as Beatitude people, how we are
to respond when wronged.
THREE
INSIGHTS UNFOLDING THE TRUTH THAT WE ARE TO DIE TO SELF…for
this is the only person who is nondefensive, nonvengeful, who never bears a
__grudge__
and has
no
spite in his heart.
I.
The Biblical Truth
Given By God, “an eye for an eye,” Was Intended To Be Both
__Just__
And Merciful. (v38a)
A. This
quote was taken from the Old Testament. “tit for tat” (Exodus 21:24) (Deut
19:21)
B. The
law required the courts to dole out a punishment that
__matched__
the crime. It promoted justice. It was fair.
C. The
effect of this law was twofold:
1.
It curtailed
further
__crime__.
Deut 19:20 “people will hear of this and be afraid…”
2.
It prevented
__excessive__
punishment based on personal vengeance. Gen 4:23f Lamech.
II.
This law Had Been Perverted
By The Religious Leaders Who Used It As A Personal License To Retaliate
Against Others. (v.38)
A. God’s
law had been
__twisted__
into individual license.
1.
Civil justice
was perverted to personal vengeance, they took the law
__into__
their own hands. Vigilantes.
2.
This law was
made into a mandate for personal revenge. “no choice.”
3.
The law’s
objective was not to urge men to take “an eye for an eye” and
__insist__
upon it every time. No! It was meant to limit excess.
B.
The Pharisees taught
that this law was intended for personal implementation.
__Wrong__!
The Holy law was twisted to serve the selfish purposes of unholy men.
III. Jesus
Unpacks The True Meaning Of This Law By Telling Us How To Respond When Wronged
By Another Person. (vv39-42)
…In a word it is __death__ to self. You have __no__ rights.
“Do not resist an evil man.”
…Jesus uses four illustrations calling us __not__ to stand on our
rights when wronged.
A. If
your
__dignity__
is attacked when slapped on the face…defamation of your character…(v39)
1.
Do not defend
yourself. Offer the other cheek. No revenge.
2.
Rather, kingdom
citizens have a humble,
__gentle__,
and nonavenging spirit.
B. If
your
__security__
is threatened…here a law suit is brought against you…(v.40)
1.
If you owe money and
are taken to court, give
__even__
more than what asked.
2.
Give more so as not to
cause offense or hard feelings. No retaliation!
__No__
bitterness.
C. If
your
__liberty__
is taken…(v.41) Do it cheerfully!
1.
Roman law…if
impressed to do so…you had to carry a burden for 1 mile. The Jews hated this
for it was humiliating and reminded them that they were a
__subjected__
people.
…Simon Cyrene…(Mark 15:21) forced to carry
Jesus’ cross
2.
Have the
__spirit__
to go the 2nd mile, or 3rd. For you serve a
__different__
king!
3.
What humility!
There is no bitterness. No retaliation! Grace causes us to win others by
__love__
rather than revenge. ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him…” (Romans 12:20-21)
D. If
your
__property__
is desired or needed, be willing to surrender it. (v. 42)
1.
This is the spirit of
__Christ__
in us…1 Peter 2:23 “when insulted, He did not retaliate…”
2.
This spirit is found
in God’s children:
a. Abraham…who
gave Lot the
__best__
of the land…
b. Joseph,
when he embraced and
__kissed__
his brothers who have wronged him.
c. __David__
who would do no harm to Saul…who wronged him for many years…
d. Stephen
who when dying,
__prayed__
for his killers.
LESSONS FOR
OUR LIVES:
1. Spite
and revenge are totally out of place in your new life in Christ.
2. When
you are insulted because of Christ, rejoice.
3.
Remember God tells us that vengeance is His and He will repay.
4.
Overcome evil with good.
5. Your
inability to respond this way may indicate you're not saved. Come to
know Christ today.
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