Our society is filled with expressions like "Don't get mad, get even!" "Shoot first, ask questions later." "Fight fire with fire!" This type of thinking is woven into the fabric of our culture. Our natural tendency is to retaliate. Our life philoshophy has become, "Nobody messes with me and gets away with it!"
Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5:38-42 teaches anything but that type of philosophy.
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 someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Jesus gives four extreme examples to startle his listeners about the kind of love His diciples should display. He tells them take a slap in the face, give your tunic, go the extra mile and give generously to people. Jesus tells them love radically.
For those of us who have been steeped in this relatiation world view it is difficult for us to begin to embrace this kind of call to love radically.
We have to begin to try and break the cycle of hostility in our lives, we have to begin to break our cycle of self-centredness and selfishness. This can only be accomplished by allowing the grace of God work in our activities daily.
When we do we see that God's love is compelling to others and connects us to the heart of God.
Jesus teaches us love radically.
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