Tuesday 1 March 2022

Understanding Acts, Words Of Jesus Christ (44)

 *EXCELLENT LIFE KEYS* 🔑🗝️

Tue/01st/March/2022

*Francis Reign* (Ap & Coach) 

_"Raising excellent agents of change and transformation, well equipped with Truth and Wisdom."_


*UNDERSTANDING THE ACTS AND WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST (44)*


_You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you_ (Matt 5:38-42). The first time the expression "an eye for an eye" is used in the Bible is in Exodus 21:24. It is a series of commands regarding assault and injury. This law was not taken literally but instead used as a standard by judges to set the fines and appropriately punish the perpetrator for the harm he caused. The law was to prevent arbitrary vigilante justice that could quickly escalate into a never-ending cycle of retaliation. 


The application of "an eye for an eye" had changed during the 1,300 years between the law given to Moses and Jesus' time on earth. In Jesus' time, it had become a means of justifying petty retaliation between individuals and an obligation not to overlook an insult or harm, rather than a standard by which judges award damages after a loss. Therefore, Jesus is calling His followers to resist seeking revenge for petty and temporal insults. This passage is followed by a command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Jesus was calling His followers to rise above their desire for  revenge in those minor and temporally situations. As Christians, we are to hold ourselves to a higher rule of love than Law. We must hold ourselves to the standard of unconditional love - agape - that Jesus gave us. However, Jesus' command, "turn them the other cheek also" should not be used to excuse abuse, extortion, or breaking laws. 


*EXCELLENCE KEY* 🗝️

_We must hold ourselves to the standard of unconditional love - agape - that Jesus gave us. However, Jesus' command, "turn them the other cheek also" should not be used to excuse abuse, extortion, or breaking laws._ 


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*Excellence is within you. Bring it out >>*

#1409 ELK.


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