Transforming Evil With The Power Of Love

Matthew 5:38-42New International Version (NIV)

Eye for Eye38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Today, we will continue our series on the Sermon on the Mount.

It was said that Jesus went up to the mountain with His disciples.

But a large crowd followed them and He taught them there in the mountain.

This is His most famous sermon concerning the Kingdom of God.

He unveils to them the Character of the Christian when he enters and dwells in God's Kingdom.

He instructs us about the blessings for meekness, for gentleness and being poor in spirit.

He informs us about our identity as Salt and Lights of this world.

We talked about that several weeks ago.

He advices us about the importance of life, of purity in marriage and making promises.

He talks about love for our enemies, giving to the needy, prayer and fasting.

He cautions us regarding where our real treasures should be.

He educates us on how to handle the worries and anxieties of life.

He warns us about the problem of judging others and entering the wide gate.

And then, he enlightens us on how to build our lives upon the solid rock that can withstand all storms of life.

All these things are new to His hearers.

These are all new to us also.

We have never heard something like these before.

These are practical, realistic, useful to day by day life.

These are down to earth, rational and very sensible to His hearers.

We must therefore study its truths and apply its contents.

We must put these to heart and devote ourselves in fulfilling its principles.

These truths from the Sermon on the Mount can transform our lives.

The focus of our study for today is with regards to relating with difficult people.

What do we do when people hurt us?

When they steal something from us?

What do we do when they slap us on the right cheek?

What do you do when they sue you, and take your shirt?

What do you do when you are already exhausted and they force you to go one more mile?

What about when people borrow from you?

Why do they do such things?

Why are those things happening to us?

How should we react to a person who takes advantage of our goodness?

Should we fight back?

Should we withhold?

Should we take revenge?

May God help us on what to do.

But many times, we don't understand them and we don't know what to do.

Many times, we take revenge and encounter conflicts along the way.

Many times, we are severely affected emotionally by their wicked schemes.

When we don't know what to do, we make mistakes with our decisions.

But it is always good to go back to God's Word.

In here, we will find new insights, new truths, new guidelines, new principles that we have not been used to doing.

That is why Jesus taught us the Sermon on the Mount.

That is why we study the Sermon on the Mount.

That we can learn new truths for Christian living.

And so let us learn together.

We will learn three things from these verses:

How do we overcome evil?

1. WE DO NOT ALLOW EVIL TO CONTROL US.

2. WE ENDURE GREAT DIFFICULTIES.

3. WE IMPLEMENT THE POWER OF LOVE.

HOW DO WE OVERCOME EVIL?

1. WE DO NOT ALLOW EVIL TO CONTROL US. WE ALLOW CHRIST TO CONTROL US.

Matthew 5:38 "“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth."

This phrase "An eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand and foot for foot" is the law of retaliation or retribution.

It was actually part of the Moral Law promulgated in the Old Testament.

The purpose of such laws was to curb the spread of sin or evil.

During that time as well as today, sin and evil was rampant.

People committed sin and evil was everywhere.

Sin and evil was prevalent, it was excessive and it was uncontrolled.

Sin was spreading, unchecked and unrestrained.

Sin was was growing and was out of hand.

There was killing, there was injustice, there was sexual immorality, there was homosexuality all around.

There was idolatry, witchcraft, drugs and lawlessness in the rural and urban areas.