PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 5:38-42
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Do not resist an evil person.” (Matthew 5:39)
Jesus is asking us to make grace, not revenge, our motivating spirit.
He is warning us not to become like the people who are being mean.
Rather, go overboard – the extra mile – in being kind and helpful to all people.
Even when that person is evil, someone that is suing us, or being a bully.
This goes against every fiber of our being, our sense of justice and rightness.
Yet this is how God helps us, and how He wants us to help others.
Do I see myself as ‘an evil person’ that God turned His cheek for?
Somehow we need to develop the mindset that all people desperately need grace.
Only grace, not violence or revenge or hate, can overcome evil.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
This is not being passive, this is being active, aggressively good.
The Lord wants to tip the scales of good over evil, also through me.
As a Jesus follower saved by grace, this is my mission and calling.
This is definitely an area I need to grow in.
PRAYER
Lord, only Your Spirit can produce this kind of grace in me. I do not have it in me. But You have it in You, and I have You in me. Strengthen me in Your love.
It says to me that I need to be proactive and not reactive – my gut says seek revenge, my gut says avoid getting involved, my gut says fight back but really when I do follow my ‘gut’ I’m basing my action on reaction. Jesus faced hate with love, faced injustice with redemption instead – before I react – help me HS to reflect and be guided by your example Lord Jesus – you show us the better way of love.
Retaliation?
No! Jesus was showing a better way – the way of love.
We are not to repay evil with evil or insult with insult – but give a blessing.
I need to follow Christ’s footsteps.
I need to be more like Jesus.
1 I want to be more like Jesus,
And follow Him day by day;
I want to be true and faithful,
And ev’ry command obey.
Refrain:
More and more like Jesus,
I would ever be; (I ever would be;)
More and more like Jesus,
My Savior who died for me.
2 I want to be kind and gentle,
To those who are in distress;
To comfort the brokenhearted,
With sweet words of tenderness. [Refrain]
3 I want to be meek and lowly,
Like Jesus, our Friend and King;
I want to be strong and earnest,
And souls to the Savior bring. [Refrain]
4 I want to be pure and holy,
As pure as the crystal snow;
I want to love Jesus dearly,
For Jesus loves me, I know. [Refrain]