Lesson from Word for Today

Respond in a Christlike Way

Thursday 12th May 2016

'Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.' Matthew 5:43 NCV

When people mistreat you, Jesus makes clear how you should respond. 'The law of Moses says, "If a man gouges out another's eye, he must pay with his own eye. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the one who did it."

But I say: Don't resist violence! If you are slapped on one cheek, turn the other too. If you are ordered to court, and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat too. If the military demand that you carry their gear for a mile, carry it two. Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow.

There is a saying, "Love your friends and hate your enemies." But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in Heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much. If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that.

But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect' (Matthew 5:38-48 TLB). Bottom line: Respond in a Christlike way.

It's so hard to respond in Christlike way. To be friendly with the evil or enemy.

But God's Word does say that acting this way is perfect as his child.

Which means,  don't fight or resist violence  (how can I achieve this? ), turn the other cheek, go the extra mile and love my enemies by being friendly with them.

Lord, help me in such times that I may be perfect just as you are. In Jesus name. Amen 😇