Living as a Christian, how do you practice Matthew 5:38-42?

[FJK]

Matthew 5:38-42  “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 evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, give him your coat also. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you."

In the past I've always looked at this scripture as meaning "Walk away from trouble if you can", but lately I'm beginning to change my view on that because "if you can" is really my self determined exception to it, not something Jesus actually said.  Jesus gave no exceptions to this for us to practice, we do what it says or we don't.

So how do you practice this in your daily life?  How does your Church practice it?  And the reasoning behind doing it that way Remember, Jesus gave us no exceptions here, he just plainly told us to live this way.

I ask this as a result of reading daily news articles about Christian individuals and Churches responding to those taking actions against them in variously different situations they face(d).

 

[R. Hartono]

Whatever bad you see 

Whatever bad you hear 

Whatever bad you feel

Whatever bad you know 

May that remain outside your heart.

Therefore there will be no attachment of yourself to the hellfire, which you see over there or over where ever you are.

Otherwise people will forever end up in loathe and pathetic suffering of hell even after they die, a thousand years, a million years, billion years.....

[ChristB4us]

1 hour ago, FJK said:

Matthew 5:38-42  “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 evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, give him your coat also. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you."

In the past I've always looked at this scripture as meaning "Walk away from trouble if you can", but lately I'm beginning to change my view on that because "if you can" is really my self determined exception to it, not something Jesus actually said.  Jesus gave no exceptions to this for us to practice, we do what it says or we don't.

So how do you practice this in your daily life?  How does your Church practice it?  And the reasoning behind doing it that way Remember, Jesus gave us no exceptions here, he just plainly told us to live this way.

I ask this as a result of reading daily news articles about Christian individuals and Churches responding to those taking actions against them in variously different situations they face(d).

Trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Good shepherd 7 friend to help you to follow Him in the face of enemies,

Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Sometimes all you can do is pray for your enemies.

Sometimes, you just can't avoid them nor the grief they bring whether it be in the workplace or even in your own home.

1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

The example Jesus has set at the cross.  He prayed that prayer and they still mocked Him.

Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

Only Jesus Christ can help us through such trials.

Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

[AnOrangeCat]

I've heard some interesting commentary on turning the other cheek. Given the culture of the region and the specifics mentioned if someone struck you the way Jesus described they'd be striking you as one would a slave. Turn the other cheek and they'd have to strike you as an equal. Is that what's being referenced? I don't know, but it is interesting.

That aside I feel like it's pretty simple. Forgive people. Don't reject them if they come to you looking for help, and don't forget to pray for them.

[JohnD]

2 hours ago, FJK said:

Matthew 5:38-42  “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 evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, give him your coat also. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you."

In the past I've always looked at this scripture as meaning "Walk away from trouble if you can", but lately I'm beginning to change my view on that because "if you can" is really my self determined exception to it, not something Jesus actually said.  Jesus gave no exceptions to this for us to practice, we do what it says or we don't.

So how do you practice this in your daily life?  How does your Church practice it?  And the reasoning behind doing it that way Remember, Jesus gave us no exceptions here, he just plainly told us to live this way.

I ask this as a result of reading daily news articles about Christian individuals and Churches responding to those taking actions against them in variously different situations they face(d).

 

Though the Law was given with Grace overtones and prophecies... you must als0 remember that this teaching was to Jews under the Law (Hebrews 9:16-17) and about keeping the Law.

[FJK]

11 minutes ago, JohnD said:

Though the Law was given with Grace overtones and prophecies... you must als0 remember that this teaching was to Jews under the Law (Hebrews 9:16-17) and about keeping the Law.

But those are the words spoken by Jesus, none of which, to my way of thinking, shouldn't apply to those following him, be they Jew or Gentile, and none of which should be disregarded by anyone calling themselves Christian (IMO).

[teddyv]

All these matters are with respect the the rights of a Roman soldier had to their subjected people (could strike a person once, not twice; could demand their cloak; could force someone to carry their gear for a mile). 

[WilliamL]

5 hours ago, FJK said:

Matthew 5:38-42  “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 evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.

We only have two cheeks to offer. You give offenders first and second chances to repent. Not an infinite number of them.

"And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also." I take this as meaning that the offended one has a legitimate claim (the first verb is active, not subjunctive), for which you should express acknowledgement by giving back with something extra.

5 hours ago, FJK said:

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you."

Show a generous, not a resistant spirit.

 

[ChristB4us]

1 minute ago, WilliamL said:

We only have two cheeks to offer. You give offenders first and second chances to repent. Not an infinite number of them.

"And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also." I take this as meaning that the offended one has a legitimate claim (the first verb is active, not subjunctive), for which you should express acknowledgement by giving back with something extra.

Show a generous, not a resistant spirit.

There is more to Jesus's words than what you had mentioned if you wish for a clearer message.

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

I believe Paul understood the words of Jesus better.

1 Corinthians 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Why take wrong?  Why suffer being defrauded?

1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

The example Jesus has set on the cross that even after His prayer for the father to forgive them, they mocked Him still.

Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

[FJK]

5 minutes ago, WilliamL said:

We only have two cheeks to offer. You give offenders first and second chances to repent. Not an infinite number of them.

How does that relate to Jesus talking about how many times to forgive in Matthew 18:22  Jesus saith to him, "I do not say to thee till seven times, but till seventy times seven."