Posts with the category “retaliation”

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." He looks at the dirt right in front of him, then he looks at the massive acreage stretching to the horizon. He could dream all day about the incredible harvest that distant field might produce. He could make plans about how he'll ...  Read More

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" Notice that Jesus didn't say, "Take up your cross once and you're done." He didn't say, "Have one moment of surrender and coast from there." He said daily. Every single day. Because every single day you'll face a choice between responding out of human instinct or responding out of...  Read More

"And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Imagine you're building a fence for your property, and your neighbor walks over and demands that you help him build his fence too. The law says you have to give him one hour of your time. You resent every minute of it because you didn't choose this. You're being forced. But then imagine that after that required hour is up, you keep ...  Read More

"And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." Imagine you're building a fence for your property, and your neighbor walks over and demands that you help him build his fence too. The law says you have to give him one hour of your time. You resent every minute of it because you didn't choose this. You're being forced. But then imagine that after that required hour is up, you keep ...  Read More

"And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." Picture a farmer whose neighbor's cattle break through the fence and trample his wheat field right before harvest. The law says the neighbor owes him for the damage. That's fair. That's just. But what if the farmer not only forgave the debt but also gave his neighbor seed for next year's planting? Everyone on littl...  Read More

"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." Imagine you're building a house, and someone walks up and tells you that the foundation you've poured is worthless. If you don't know anything about construction, those words might shake you. You might start doubting everything. But if you're an experienced builder who kno...  Read More

 "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." "An eye for an eye" sounds harsh to our ears. But when God gave this law, He was actually establishing mercy, not cruelty. Here's what He was saying: if someone was falsely accused of an evil ac...  Read More