Christianity really is different. It doesn’t take long to figure that out. It comes in many different ways and many different teachings.
You can certainly see it Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
Jesus told His disciples that He did not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament). Nor did He come to accept the status quo of Judaism.
He came to fill the teachings of Scripture with meaning. He gave a number of illustrations of how He came to fulfill the Law.
One of those illustrations has to do with “an eye for an eye.” Jesus took this teaching (Exodus 21:23-25) that limited escalated violence and revenge to new heights. He called on His followers to respond to violence and deceit with kindness and love.
Jesus really wanted His followers to seek behaviors which de-escalate wrongful actions or power plays. Roman soldiers had the right to demand that a Jew carry his pack for up to a mile. Most Jewish citizens counted out the steps and stopped immediately at the mile mark. Jesus encouraged His followers to look for ways to show love and compassion while seeking to go beyond strict requirements.
This is certainly different teaching.
So is Jesus’ teaching about revenge. No one wants to be mistreated.
Jesus called us to look at life and people differently. Instead of only loving those who love you, look for people to treat with empathy and respect. Return good for evil.
Instead of getting even or living in anger and resentment, love (a positive, active verb) your enemies and pray for those who persecute and use you. Doing so makes you like your Father in heaven. In the same way God reacts, He wants us to react as well.
Is this teaching different? Would this change the world? Would it change your life?
Seek good and not evil. Find ways to bless others.
Living in this way will change you and witness of the power of Christ to the people around you.
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5 Responses
This is hard to employ scripture when the current President collided with Russia to win the election, is destroying the environment, education, privacy, workers’ rights, healthcare, government accountability, terrorizing and demonizing non-White non-Christians who may be immigrants, and seems hellbent on returning our country back to the 1950’s where women and minorities “knew their place”. The Bible doesn’t speak about Joseph and Mary’s prayers for Herod as they fled to Egypt, but it does record this: “”A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.””
Matthew 2:18 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.2.18.esv
It’s always hard to employ, regardless of the situation or the circumstances. That is what makes our life in Christ so amazing. He gives us what we don’t have and helps us do what we (on our own) can’t do.
Sam – for you and the Russians, we have Celebrate Recovery every Tuesday night.
I agree with Joe. Sam, your post appears disjointed, disoriented and disorganized? Not sure how Matthew 2:18 is relevant to this discussion nor how Trump “collidied” would the Ruskies applies?
I hear what you are saying Sam. The current politicizing of Christianity in our country does make things difficult. Particularly when so many Christian leaders openly endorsed the current president or any candidate for that matter by use of the pulpit. We must remember that God is greater than politics, parties or nations. We must persevere even in times of darkness.