How to respond to evil people and love your enemies

Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV) 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek,

turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go

with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to

borrow from you.

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise

on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you,

what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what

are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is

perfect.

39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.

38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'

'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'

1. It was a law of mercy. 2. It was law created for judges – not individuals.

Deuteronomy 19:18-21 (NIV) 18 The judges must make a thorough investigation, …. You must purge the evil from among you. …. life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand,

foot for foot.

1. It was a law of mercy. 2. It was law created for judges - not for individuals. 3. It was not meant to be taken literally (except in

cases of capital offences.)4. It is not the whole picture of the Old Testament

Leviticus 19:18 (NIV) 18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.

Proverbs 24:29 (NIV)

29 Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."

Lamentations 3:30 (NIV)

30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, …

What did Jesus mean? (vs 39-42)

1. Loss of pride

Matthew 5:39 (NIV) 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If

someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

1. Loss of pride2. Loss of possessions

Matthew 5:40 (NIV) 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic,

let him have your cloak as well.

1. Loss of pride2. Loss of possession

3. Loss of time

Matthew 5:41 (NIV) 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him

two miles.

1. Loss of pride2. Loss of possession

3. Loss of time4. Loss of money

Matthew 5:42 (NIV) 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away

from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (NIV) 7 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the

land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and

freely lend him whatever he needs.

Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (NIV) 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then

because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in

the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

How do we live this Jesus teaching?

Romans 12:17-19 (NIV) 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do

what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace

with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is

mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

How do you love your enemies

Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) 27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse

you, pray for those who mistreat you.

1. Love by our words

Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) 27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do

good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word

stirs up anger.

1. Love by our words2. Love by your actions

Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) 27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for

those who mistreat you.

Proverbs 25:21 (NIV) 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty,

give him water to drink.

1. Love by our words2. Love by your actions3. Pray for your enemies

Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) 27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for

those who mistreat you.

Matthew 5:44 (NIV)44 … and pray for those who persecute you,

Why love your enemies?

1. We imitate our Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:45 (NIV) 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:45 (NIV) 45 …. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the

good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

2. It marks us out from everyone around us. Matthew 5:46 (NIV)

46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

Matthew 5:47 (NIV) 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you

doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Matthew 5:48 (NIV) 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is

perfect.

Matthew 5:48 (AMP) 48 You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into

complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:48 (MSG) 48 "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're

kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.