Matthew 5:38 You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." (39) But I tell you not to resist him who is evil; rather whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. (40) And to him who wishes to sue you and take your tunic, yield to him your cloak also;
[Part 1 of 2] Now let us consider the principles of reactions from this portion of Matthew. Man's reactions to ordinary matters can be classified according to three levels. The first is on the level of reasoning. The second is on the level of good behavior. The third has to do with God's holy life. If you are on the level of reasoning, your reaction will be temper and wrath. If you are on the level of good behavior, your reaction will be to endure. But if you are on the level of God's holy life, you will transcend everything. These are the three possible reactions. If someone strikes your right cheek today and you are full of reasonings, you may say, "How could he have done that? Why did he hit me?" ...you may fly into a rage and reason about it. This means that you are on the level of reasoning. Perhaps you have the knowledge that Christians should have proper behavior and that temper is wrong. When others ask for your tunic, you may endure silently and allow them to take it away. This kind of reaction is much better than losing one's temper. But the Lord tells us that there is another kind of reaction; it is the kind that He requires. We should react by transcending [in His holy life] , not reasoning or enduring. [Continued tomorrow]
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, Messages for Building Up New Believers, pp.367-368. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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