“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth’ 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.  And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one that asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

How many times have you heard someone say “well, the Bible says an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”?  The Bible does say that, but people love to pull this verse and use it out of context.  Jesus is saying here that this is what the world says, but he says something quite different.  He says to turn the other cheek.  He says that if someone wants your shirt, give it to them along with your coat.  He says that if someone wants you to walk a mile with them, walk two.  He says to give to those who ask you, and to loan to those who want to borrow from you.

Now before I go any further, let me say one thing. If you are in a relationship with someone who is emotionally or physically abusive, get out!  This does not mean that we stick around an abusive person and allow them to beat us to death. It doesn’t mean that we just stick around and let others beat us down.  You’ve often heard that hurting people hurt people.  As Christians, we need to show them the love of Christ, it does not mean that we need to subject ourselves to ongoing physical or emotional harm.

Today, we are back in Matthew.  Yesterday we spoke of treating others as we want to be treated and how that is not always easy.  Today we are told to treat them even better than they want to be treated.

As human beings, God created us in His image.  This means that we should strive to act like Jesus did while he was here on earth.  We should strive to be as good to others as God is to us.  This is not easy to do.  But I have learned one thing.  When I do this to someone who is not treating me kindly, it throws their game off.

The world says an eye for an eye.  If you wrong someone, you fully expect them to retaliate.  Often times we are dealing with people that have lived their lives full of drama and chaos.  They are looking for a fight.  Maybe things are a little too calm in their world and you look like someone who will give them a run for their money.

But, when you react with kindness, often times they just don’t know what to do.  It’s really interesting to watch their reaction.  They don’t know how to handle someone being kind when they are looking for someone to come back at them with the same meanness that they dished out.

Now the world tells us that we are sissies if we don’t retaliate.  The world tells us that we have to stand up for ourselves.  Well, I don’t believe in being a doormat, but let me tell you something amazing happens when you treat someone kindly who has wronged you.  Something amazing happens when you show love and forgiveness to someone who has treated you unkindly.

We are told that as Christians we will be in the world but we are not to be of the world.  You see the world is an evil place, we have to stand out.  We have to be shining beacons for lost souls.  When we go to work or to school or out in the community, people need to see something a little different in us.  They need to see the peace and joy that comes from being a born again Christian.  They need to see an example of how we should be treating each other.

So, remember this scripture passage. The next time you hear someone recite it out of context, you may want to gently and kindly remind them that this scripture passage is the same one that says turn the other cheek and go the extra mile.  It actually says that we should not seek an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

Now remember what I told you yesterday.  This is not an easy task.  Don’t try to do this alone, ask for God to help you. Remember with God all things are possible!

Have a great day!