Self-Defense and Retaliation
A Greg Laurie Sermon Summary
The Ten Commandments primarily focus on behaviors, while the Sermon on the Mount focusses on desires.
According to the Sermon, our goodness needs to be better than that of the teachers of the law and Pharisees. They depended on their works, but actions can be deceiving. Do we refrain from committing crimes for moral reasons, or because we fear getting caught?
Christ focuses on our hearts and desires. Actions arise from them. For example, envy compelled Cain killed Abel, committing the first murder in the Bible.
Hate can lead to murder, so don’t even call someone a brainless idiot or a worthless fool (1 John 3:15, 1 John 2:9, Matthew 5:22). Lustful thoughts can lead to adultery, so we should guard our minds (Matthew 5:28).
“An eye for an eye” should be the job of the government. Police and the court of law are established by God to administer justice, matching punishments to the offense so as to deter criminals and purge evil (Romans 13:1-2, Deuteronomy 19:18-21).
Sometimes, force is necessary. For example, Christ administered justice with physical force in a temple (John 2:13-16). In time of danger, Christ told his disciples to get swords to defend themselves (Luke 22:36-38). Paul exercised his rights as a Roman citizen (Acts 16:35-40). But beware of the consequences. If one lives by the sword, he will die by the sword (John 18:10-11, Matthew 26:52).
There are times to take the unreasonable hit, turn the other cheek, and go the extra mile. Note that insults are difficult to bear. Even Paul could flare up (Acts 23:1-5). But our endurance can turn enemies into friends or, better yet, into followers of Christ.
Christ is our model. He loved His enemies, as shown by His crucifixion. Christ’s behavior even converted the hardcore criminal who was crucified next to Him (Luke 23:39-43).
Christ focuses on our hearts. He wants us to be perfect like our heavenly Father. So, do whatever is necessary to maintain a pure heart (Matthew 5:29-30, 48). But more importantly, rely on our Father in heaven to do so (Hebrews 12:1).
Summary of a sermon by Greg Laurie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlqNRq5hl1g
According to the Sermon, our goodness needs to be better than that of the teachers of the law and Pharisees. They depended on their works, but actions can be deceiving. Do we refrain from committing crimes for moral reasons, or because we fear getting caught?
Christ focuses on our hearts and desires. Actions arise from them. For example, envy compelled Cain killed Abel, committing the first murder in the Bible.
Hate can lead to murder, so don’t even call someone a brainless idiot or a worthless fool (1 John 3:15, 1 John 2:9, Matthew 5:22). Lustful thoughts can lead to adultery, so we should guard our minds (Matthew 5:28).
“An eye for an eye” should be the job of the government. Police and the court of law are established by God to administer justice, matching punishments to the offense so as to deter criminals and purge evil (Romans 13:1-2, Deuteronomy 19:18-21).
Sometimes, force is necessary. For example, Christ administered justice with physical force in a temple (John 2:13-16). In time of danger, Christ told his disciples to get swords to defend themselves (Luke 22:36-38). Paul exercised his rights as a Roman citizen (Acts 16:35-40). But beware of the consequences. If one lives by the sword, he will die by the sword (John 18:10-11, Matthew 26:52).
There are times to take the unreasonable hit, turn the other cheek, and go the extra mile. Note that insults are difficult to bear. Even Paul could flare up (Acts 23:1-5). But our endurance can turn enemies into friends or, better yet, into followers of Christ.
Christ is our model. He loved His enemies, as shown by His crucifixion. Christ’s behavior even converted the hardcore criminal who was crucified next to Him (Luke 23:39-43).
Christ focuses on our hearts. He wants us to be perfect like our heavenly Father. So, do whatever is necessary to maintain a pure heart (Matthew 5:29-30, 48). But more importantly, rely on our Father in heaven to do so (Hebrews 12:1).
Summary of a sermon by Greg Laurie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlqNRq5hl1g