Friday, October 10, 2008

Retaliating with Love

Matt 5:7,9, 21-22, 39-42

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’[d] 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone,[e] you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,[f] you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,[g] you are in danger of the fires of hell.

39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

I have read those verses and others many times recently in the book of Matthew. These were words that Jesus taught. We are told to be merciful and to work for peace. If we are even angry we are subject to judgment. Do no resist an evil person. I don’t know how I have read those verses so many times and not actually chosen to apply it to myself. I was a supporter of the war the US is currently in. I had a gun and learned how to use it for self defense. Engaging in war, no matter what the motive, is not merciful or peace-making. Me being ready to shoot an intruder is resisting an evil person- which is exactly what Jesus said not to do.

These are the things we have been reading lately. We don’t have it all figured out, but we do know this is how we are told to behave as Christians. I know it sounds crazy but since when does anything Jesus said make any sense to us mere mortals?

More on this soon.
~Kaycee

2 comments:

Aunt Kathy said...

It's encouraging that God has brought you two full circle since August 2007. We're all growing a maturing every day.

Aunt Kathy said...

It's encouraging that God has brought you this realization since August 2007. We're all growing a maturing every day.