Revenge

11. July 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

We’re still studying the following text: 

Matthew 5:38 ”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.  

Today, we want to discuss the phrases “sue you and take your tunic, let them have your cloak as well” and if someone forces you to “go one mile then go with him two.”    In the ancient world, the tunic was the garment that was worn closest to the body.  It was like a long dress because most of the ancient world did not wear pants.  It was a prize position and if a person sued you it could be won in a law suit.  The cloak was actually protected by law, it could not be taken.   The cloak was like a big blanket draped over the tunic and at night used as a blanket for covering.   The way of travel and lodging was different in the ancient world than it is now and people were considered nomadic.  They traveled by foot and at night they took camp and the cloaks were used for covering.  It was a valuable item and the law protected it from being won in a lawsuit.     

The lawsuit in this case that Jesus mentioned might be a legitimate one, but the implication of the text is that the settlement may have been unfair.    If that is the case, then we should not seek revenge.  We should deal with evil with goodness and kindness.  Yes, it’s God’s way.   If the lawsuit in this situation is legitimate and we did wrong someone then we should offer a generous settlement for our injustice towards the offended.  

The apostle Paul writes that the very fact that lawsuits exists among believers already shows our defeat. (Remember Jesus is talking about believers suing each other)  

Paul writes  in 1 Corinthians 6: 4 “Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another–and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. (NIV)  

YES!!!!!!!!!!  The hard truth is that believers are suppose to settle disputes among ourselves and not before the world (OUCH!!!!!)   Now of course the situation is different if we’re dealing with an unbeliever, they have not committed to obey the laws of God.   The next  example comes from the Roman law at that time.  A Roman solider could by law force one to carry something for them (usually their military baggage) but it could only be for a mile.  Jesus says even though they have the right by law to demand it and it is an unjust act then we are to repay evil with good.  Give them more than what they have the right to demand. 

The concept is that you are forcing me to go one mile with you and showing that you have power to “lord over” but I will show you that your authority does not dominate me by freely offering to go an extra mile.       

The last example deals with giving.  While on the surface, it appears that you are to give to everyone that asks of you, but the concept is that you are to still be generous to people that have taken advantage of you.  Don’t cut people off because they have abused you financially, continue to show love and kindness.       

Yes!!!!!  These are some hard teachings, but the principle is practice goodness and kindness towards evil till the point evil can no longer breathe or have life and showing that none of it has the power over us as believers.  It is actually reacting to situations that demonstrate we are not in control.   This in no way implies  that we are wimpy, afraid, or timid but it shows the opposite that we are Godly, strong, and confident in ourselves.   

In conclusion, justice is very important for all of us and God has established laws and government as a means to seek justice but the warning in these teachings is about seeking personal revenge.   

Yes, it hurts when we’ve been wronged, but don’t get even.  Yes, we’ve been attacked, we’ve been cheated, we’ve been forced to do things against our will and we’ve been taken advantage of financially.  Our answer to all of this is to continue to forgive, show kindness and generosity and leave everything else to God. 

Have a great weekend. 

See you on Monday. 

God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »