Posted on 04/26/2022 5:21:58 AM PDT by metmom
“‘Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also’” (Matthew 5:39).
God has created every human being in His image, and therefore He demands that we treat one another with basic respect, dignity, and consideration. But in a sinful world, this will not always happen, so believers can expect to suffer persecution simply because of their basic testimony (cf. Matt. 10:16–23; John 15:18–16:3). This leaves one inevitable issue to deal with: how should Christians respond to ridicule, insult, or physical abuse.
The Lord Jesus, of course, is the perfect example of how to behave when personally attacked. When the Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers physically abused Him and mocked Him prior to His crucifixion, He did not react in words or actions (Matt. 26:67–68). As Jesus hung from the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Peter summarizes well how we should respond in view of Christ’s example:
When you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. (1 Peter 2:20–23)
Ask Yourself
When have you succeeded in practicing this kind of self-control and restraint? What happened as a result? Even if it left you feeling misunderstood and stepped upon, what value did you experience from obeying what Jesus has commanded?
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
John 2:15
“And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.”
That was not retaliation for a personal insult.
But, always remember you have 4 cheeks
When the Jewish leaders of Paul's day wanted to kill Paul, he appealed to Festus to be tried in Rome by the Emperor. As a Roman citizen, Paul had this right and Festus conceded.
The point is that Paul did not turn his cheek to the Jewish Sanhedrin, those who killed Christ and desired to kill him. Paul used his rights as a Roman citizen to escape those who hated him and desired his life. As Americans, Christians are not 2nd class citizens. The Constitution and particularly the Bill of Rights applies to us and I for one, will not concede my rights to those who hate me.
The series in the Sermon on the Mount proceeds as love those who hate, pray for those who persecute, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile. The severity of harm diminishes in that sequence.
Turning the other cheek refers to persecution at the level of insults, passive aggression and such. I think that usually no bodily harm is done. If one is to love and pray for worse aggressiveness, certainly, love and prayer apply here. Deal with the matter and glorify the name of the Lord.
Soldiers were permitted to conscript a Jew to carry the soldier’s gear for one mile. The teaching is that a Christian is to offer to carry it two miles. IOW, do more kindness than required.
It appears that you are publishing John MacArthur’s (sp?) devotionals. I wonder if he has a devotional regarding interactions of Christian with Christian. Paul writes that “As much as we are able, live peaceably with everybody, ESPECIALLY with the household of God.”
Love, pray, turn the cheek, go the extra mile. Double or triple that and we have a good idea of how to treat our brethren. It is a high calling.
Luke 9:51-54 “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”
55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
I struggle with this, with certain family members to the point of murderous thought at times. Lord Jesus, help me! Please pray for me.
I will.
Do feel too badly over this...
“Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”
Thank you so much. Your message was very helpful, too. I never looked at it the way you put it, you’ve given me much to pray about and process. There’s so much wrong and the struggle is real but I know Good can fix it. God bless you, Sister.
Thank you, Sister. That was very helpful and a blessing.
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