 In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ told His disciples not to pursue “eye for eye,” but to love their enemies. Matthew 5:38-48.
Christ used four examples (being hurt, losing clothing and money, and forced labor) to illustrate how not to repay anyone “eye for eye” or evil for evil. Matthew 5:39-42. Not taking revenge does not mean being weak or encouraging injustice. Christ did not retaliate as He was nailed on the cross. Yet, He challenged the high priest. Further, these behaviors are not for all relationships. For example, judges are entrusted to punish the wrong and reward the good. Romans 13:1, 4. Matthew 22:21. Similarly, parents to children, and employers to employees, operate differently. To run a business and keep others employed, employers cannot comply to an employee’s unreasonable demands, such as getting paid without working. Matthew 20:1-15. In the Sermon on the Mount, the behaviors focus more on personal interactions, where one should let the state punish. Ultimately, let God avenge and punish the one who is evil. God said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay.” Leviticus 19:18 and Romans 12:19. Christ also taught His disciples to love their enemies. Matthew 5:43-48. In deeds, seek good for their enemies. Luke 6:27. In words, bless those who curse them. Luke 6:28. In prayers, pray for those who persecute them. Matthew 5:44. Otherwise, they were no different from the wicked, who are good to those who are good to them also. Christ wanted His disciples to imitate their heavenly Father, who loved them while they were His enemies. Matthew 5:48 and Romans 5:10. Also, God gives sun and rain to the evil and the good. Matthew 5:44-45. The Israelites were taught to love their neighbors and hate their enemies. But Christ wanted His disciples to be perfect, not to take revenge or repay evil for evil but to overcome evil with good. This is impossible without the grace of God. However, it helps to know we are blessed children of God; and to know that we are no better than our enemies, who have needs and desires like ours. Also, accept that humans could not achieve perfection in this life. Just keep trying and asking God for forgiveness, just as Christ taught His disciples to pray. Matthew 6:12, and 5:6. Be merciful, just as our Father is merciful. Luke 6:36. Summarized from the chapter, entitled, “Matthew 5:38-48 A Christian’s righteousness: non-retaliation and active love,” in “The Message of the Sermon on the Mount,” by John Stott. 新人生态度 在登山宝训中，基督告诉门徒们不要“以牙還牙”，而要爱他们的仇敵 (马太福音5：38-48)。 基督用了四个例子（受到伤害, 失去衣服与金钱, 和强制性劳役）来说明不要“以牙還牙”或以恶还恶来报复任何人 （马太福音5：39-42）。 不复仇并不意味着软弱或鼓励不公正。即使基督被钉在十字架时没有报复, 但祂甚至还挑战大祭司。 并且这些行为不是用在所有人际关系上。例如，法官负责惩罚罪恶并奖励善良 （罗马书13：1，4；马太福音22:21）。同样，孩子的父母和雇员的雇主也有不同的运作方式。要经营企业并雇用员工，雇主不能依从雇员不合理的要求，比如不工作就拿工资 （马太福音20：1-15）。 这些登山宝训的教导是用在人与人之间的纠纷上。应让政府来管理惩罚。 最终让上帝惩罚邪恶的人。上帝说, “伸冤在我，我必報應。” 利未记19:18和罗马书12:19。 基督也教导门徒爱他们的敌人 （马太福音5：43-48）。在行动上，寻找敌人的好 （路加福音6:27）。在言语上，祝福那些诅咒他们的人 （路加福音6:28）。在祈祷中，为那些逼迫他们的人祈祷 （马太福音5:44）。否则，他们与邪恶人无异。就是罪人也爱那爱他们的人。 基督要门徒效法天父--祂仍然爱着人们无论他们是仇敌与否 （马太福音5:48; 罗马书5：10）。这就像上帝叫日頭照好人，也照歹人；降雨給義人，也給不義的人 （马太福音5：44-45）。 以色列人的教导是爱他们的邻居，恨他们的敌人。但基督希望门徒做到完美,不要报仇或以恶报恶，而要以善克服邪恶。 没有上帝的恩典，这是不可能的。但知道我们是受神祝福的儿女是有帮助的; 了解我们与敌人有着相似的需求和欲望，没有比他们好也有帮助的。 并且要接受人一生无法实现完美。因此，继续努力以及向上帝祈求宽恕, 就像主耶稣教导门徒的祷告 （马太福音6:12和5：6）。 要仁慈，就像天父的仁慈一样 （路加福音6:36）。 Comments are closed.
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