• Week Four
• Day Four
• Please don’t forget to ask the Lord to open your heart and mind to His truth.

Scriptures

Matthew 5:38-42
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Exodus 21:24-25
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Devotional

GO THE EXTRA MILE

How do you respond when someone does wrong or when someone treats you unjustly or expects much more from you than they themselves are ready to give? Do you see it as as opportunity to love?

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Jesus was not contradicting Exodus 21. Exodus 21 is the principle of equal justice on which governments should operate. The God-given authority of the governments to punish is reaffirmed in the New Testament

Romans 13:1-4
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

So Jesus is not implying that we “turn the other cheek” and allow the masked gunman to hold up the convenience store and help himself to whatever he wants while we all look the other way and then help him to his car. Justice must be upheld. The Bible describes appropriate justice and appropriate limitations. God’s word assures that there needs to be a significant penalty for a crime so that others would be warned that there will be justice to pay. At the same time, He provides a way to protect the guilty, making sure that the penalty is limited to fit the crime. (an eye for an eye – no more.)

But our personal lives are a different story from the government administering justice. In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches us to go beyond an equal eye -for-an-eye response in our personal lives. When we are wronged, when our dignity is maligned, or when our rights are infringed upon, we are to turn the other cheek, give what is due, and offer our cloak as well. We are to walk not only one mile but two. The principles in these verses apply to your day-today relationships and to those very difficult relationships. How might you relate these principles in your role as a wife, as a mother, or as a friend?

Think about how Jesus lived out what He taught in Matthew 5. Bow your head in worship. Thank Him and praise Him.

Is there anyone to whom you need to “turn the other cheek”? Be honest. Be specific. Don’t gloss over it. What is a specific good thing that you can do to bless someone who has hurt you?

Close in prayer.

My Own Thoughts

I greet you in the peace and love of the Lord Jesus Christ, may His blessing forever be on you and your families.

Wow… This one also hit hard. I have found myself having to ask for forgiveness for my past behaviors more often than not. Some of which I had no idea were wrong at the time. Now that I understand things more and the Holy Spirit opens my eyes, I have not conducted myself in a godly manner for a long time and I could not forgive myself. It is through Jesus finished work on the cross that I have the grace to speak to all of you on anything the Lord has shown me. I praise His name for even thinking about a girl like me!

Until tomorrow, I love you all and have a very blessed evening! Please like, share and comment if the Lord leads you to do so. and as Always, Stay peculiar!