Matthew 5:38-48
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I was reading these verses and thought of G. K. Chesterton...Christianity is hard, it is not an easy thing to do...Chesterton said, "Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried."...
Jesus teaches us not to resist an evil person, so do not think in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth terms...How many people can be slapped on the right cheek and then turn and allow that person to slap your left cheek?...Then if someone takes your shirt, then hand over your coat as well...And if someone forces you to go a mile, go with them two miles...And allow them to borrow from you...And when always loving your neighbor, you should also love your enemy...Pray for those who persecute you, so that we can be children in heaven...God causes his sun to rise on both the evil and the good...He sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous...If you love those who love you, what kind of reward will you get?...And if you greet and are close only your family and friends, what are you doing more than any other person?...Do not even pagans do that?...Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is Perfect....