Every Christian who lives in this world has had the thought of fighting back when mistreated, but in Matthew 5:39, Jesus tells us not to fight back. What should the Christian's response be when confronted by an evil person?
“You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,'But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."
Matthew 5:38-39
Jesus makes clear that we should not resist people. In Matthew, He says, “I tell you not to resist an evil person.” Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He wants to save men, not to condemn them. John 3:17 says, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” He came to rescue the perishing. Therefore He does not want us to put a stumbling block in anyone's path by resisting them. We must seek always to have godly responses even to ungodly actions and attitudes.
How are actions determined? Actions, attitudes, indeed, all our conduct flows from character. Jesus shows us His character, the character of His Kingdom! As a result of His saving work in believers, His character is now in us! Therefore we are to show this Kingdom character in our everyday lives, and most especially whenever we have encounters with evil persons. Evil in the Greek language is poneros. This word means hurtful, evil in effect or influence, vicious, or bad. Jesus tells us not to fight, oppose, or become fractious against evil persons. What then are believers to do when they encounter evil? The answer is found in Matthew 6:13. When we pray, we are to say, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (KJV): Our ultimate deliverance from the evil persons comes from the Lord, but in the process, He wants them to see His character in His people. As we respond with Jesus-like character, we set in motion a series of effects through which the Lord moves to reveal His Kingdom, to touch and heal broken lives, and to accomplish His purposes.
This is the manner of the Kingdom of God. He, Himself, is our defender as we show Kingdom conduct flowing from His character in us! May we always represent Him well.
1 comments:
I am very glad, I can learn from my spiritual father on earth through preaching, blogs, radio, etc. I am just soooo thankful. I have been apart of various ministries during the 20 years of being in the military. I remember being looked upon as just being strange, because I am soo interested in learning and applying truth to my life. I don't need physical attention, I need stuff like this blog from my personal pastor to help me to live in this world. I am so grateful for these blogs and I am going to study, etc along with my other daily fellowship with the Lord and just grow in Christ. I am so thankful, everything you preach, etc I can use to live a successful life in Jesus Christ. The Bible is so real and Jesus is soo alive in me. I am not unusual. I just know I need God. Can't wait to re-read this post again. Right now I have to go to Bible Study.
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