A New Normal
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The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 The Ancient Law (Matthew 5:38–42)
FEW passages of the New Testament have more of the essence of the Christian ethic in them than this one. Here is the characteristic ethic of the Christian life, and the conduct which should distinguish the Christian from others.
It is natural to want justice. It is even natural to desire retaliation. Yet we know that God is going to make all things right. He will bring justice. This truth shapes the way we respond to injustice. When we are wronged the Scriptures encourage us to respond with patient endurance instead of sinful retaliation. In times of great distress we can be tempted to pursue our own retaliation. Yet the truth that God is going to set all things right charts for us a different course.
It is natural to want justice. It is even natural to desire retaliation. Yet we know that God is going to make all things right. He will bring justice. This truth shapes the way we respond to injustice. When we are wronged the Scriptures encourage us to respond with patient endurance instead of sinful retaliation. In times of great distress we can be tempted to pursue our own retaliation. Yet the truth that God is going to set all things right charts for us a different course.
The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 The Ancient Law (Matthew 5:38–42)
That law became part and parcel of the ethic of the Old Testament, where we find it laid down no fewer than three times. ‘If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe’ (Exodus 21:23–5). ‘Anyone who maims another shall suffer the same injury in return: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; the injury inflicted is the injury to be suffered’ (Leviticus 24:19–20). ‘Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot’ (Deuteronomy 19:21).
The Old Testament Law
The Old Testament Law
The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 The Ancient Law (Matthew 5:38–42)
This law deliberately limits vengeance.
The New Testament Teaching
The New Testament Teaching
Luke 6:27-36
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, spray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, spray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But clove your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But clove your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
The Consequence of Vengeance
The Consequence of Vengeance
What Are My Options if My Goal is to Glorify God?
What Are My Options if My Goal is to Glorify God?
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Peter 4:8-9
Christian Standard Bible Chapter 4
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.,aq 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Matthew 10:23
When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away.
Luke 4:28-30
To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?
1 Corinthians 6:7
But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?”
When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
How Is This Life Possible?
How Is This Life Possible?
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Spiritual Transformation includes our minds and our bodies. It includes our walk and our talk. It involves our thinking and our behavior.
In , Paul doesn’t just say “Think rightly.” Neither did he say, “Behave rightly.” Paul knew that the gospel transforms our thoughts and our actions.” — Worldview Study Bible, CSB
In , Paul doesn’t just say “Think rightly.” Neither did he say, “Behave rightly.” Paul knew that the gospel transforms our thoughts and our actions.” — Worldview Study Bible, CSB