Introduction It hurts when people wrong us; just ask Jesus: Matt. 26:31; Isa. 53:3; 1 Pet. 2:23 Jesus is our example of how to respond to personal insults: 1 Pet. 2:21-23; Psa. 55:12-13; 41:9 This may have been the most outstanding aspect of Jesus’ perfect character. Turning the other cheek is the essence of loving our enemies and the very embodiment of the “Golden Rule”: Lk. 6:31; Rom. 12:17

Introduction Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:38-48 and Luke 6:27-36 is not universally applicable to all situations in life; it con- cerns the concepts of personal retaliation and revenge. God gives His people the right to self-defense of life and property: Gen. 14; Lk. 22:36; Rom. 13:1-7 Protecting ourselves or others from a murderer or thief is not personal retaliation or revenge. Punishment of murderers, thieves, etc. is the role of God-ordained civil government: Rom. 13:1-7; Acts 22-25

Introduction Matthew 5:38-39 is correcting an abuse of the Law of Moses. Jews perverted the principle of “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” by misapplying it to matters of personal retaliation and revenge. It was undoubtedly a principle from God: Ex. 21:24 But it was a concept that guided their legal system: Deut. 16:18

Introduction Keys to understanding Matthew 5:38-39: The matters being considered are matters of personal insults. In such cases Jesus says we are not to retaliate or respond “in kind.”

Introduction Brief comments on Luke 6:34-35: Don’t walk around with an open wallet. Soon all Christians would be flat broke! 1 Tim. 5:8 Should be willing to help a “needy” enemy as we would a “needy” friend. Jesus’ is requiring behavior that’s not easy! How can we avoid our first inclination to retaliate; to return evil for evil?

Render to No Man Evil for Evil Romans 12:17-21

Unselfishness: Matt. 5:38-42 Unselfishness is an essential quality of turning the other cheek. We must devalue ourselves in our own estimation to properly value the evildoer. Requires a major dose of humility; Jesus had it! Phil. 2:5-8; Matt. 26:53 Render to No Man Evil for Evil

Render to No Man Evil for Evil Love: Matt. 5:43-48 Loving our enemies may be the most difficult thing Jesus asks us to do. The word here for “love” is agape; love that always has the best interests of others in mind. It is the sacrificial love God has for man; love the “unlovable”: Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8 Recall what Paul said about “love” in 1 Cor. 13:5? Render to No Man Evil for Evil

Render to No Man Evil for Evil Pray: Lk. 6:28 Tough pill to swallow! Those who “despitefully use” us need our prayers: Lk. 19:10; Matt. 16:26 We follow Christ’s example when we pray for our enemies: Lk. 23:34; Rom. 3:23 We’ll never save anyone with animosity and contempt! Render to No Man Evil for Evil

Render to No Man Evil for Evil Do good: Lk. 6:27 Love only really becomes love when we show it. Recall how Peter once described Jesus: Acts 10:38 The Father does good to all men even though they remain in sin: Matt. 5:45 Likewise we need to do good to those who hate us. Challenging? “If it was easy, everyone would be doing it!” Render to No Man Evil for Evil

Render to No Man Evil for Evil Be merciful: Lk. 6:36 All of us desperately need God’s mercy: Rom. 3:23 Its difficult to extend mercy when you’re hurting: Lk. 23:34; Matt. 6:14-15; 2 Tim. 4:16 Even with the good examples of Paul and Jesus it is still easy to lose our cool and retaliate: Jas. 1:19- 20; Prov. 14:17, 29; 16:32 Stop and think! We need God’s mercy! Our enemies need our mercy! Matt. 5:7 Render to No Man Evil for Evil

Conclusion When wronged don’t render evil for evil; take Jesus’ approach. Whenever we imitate Jesus there is great reward: Lk. 6:35; Matt. 5:48 Jesus’ way is best whether the sinner appreciates it or not: Rom. 12:17-21