New Attitudes in Life
A Chapter Summary from John Stott
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 (injury, loss of clothing, loss of money, and being forced into 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.
Furthermore, 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, the relationship of parents and children, compared to that of employers and employees, operate differently.
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, Romans 12:19).
Christ also taught His disciples to love their enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). In deeds, they should seek good for their enemies (Luke 6:27). In words, they should bless those who curse them (Luke 6:28). In prayers, they should pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). Otherwise, they would be 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, 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 we are no better than our enemies, who have needs and desires like ours.
Humans cannot achieve perfection in this life, but we can keep trying and asking God for forgiveness, just as Christ taught His disciples to pray (Matthew 6:12, 5:6).
Be merciful, just as our heavenly 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.
Christ used four examples (injury, loss of clothing, loss of money, and being forced into 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.
Furthermore, 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, the relationship of parents and children, compared to that of employers and employees, operate differently.
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, Romans 12:19).
Christ also taught His disciples to love their enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). In deeds, they should seek good for their enemies (Luke 6:27). In words, they should bless those who curse them (Luke 6:28). In prayers, they should pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). Otherwise, they would be 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, 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 we are no better than our enemies, who have needs and desires like ours.
Humans cannot achieve perfection in this life, but we can keep trying and asking God for forgiveness, just as Christ taught His disciples to pray (Matthew 6:12, 5:6).
Be merciful, just as our heavenly 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.