Matthew 5:38-6:4

Matthew 5:38-6:4 (New Living Translation)

 38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. 
Teaching about Love for Enemies
 43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. 

Matthew 6

   “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Devotional (by Jennifer Bennett)

One of the things I like about the Jar is that everyone is accepted and everyone is loved.  But what I like even more is that the people here want to help me grow…grow in my marriage, grow in my faith, grow in my knowledge of the Bible, grow in my relationships with others and with God.

It’s easy to hold a grudge.  It’s easy to look past the person on the street.  It’s easy to love my friends.  But God wants us to be better than that.  He knows it’s not easy to offer the other cheek.  He knows it’s not easy to forgive.  So, He sent us His son, Jesus, as a guide.

We’re not perfect….I’m not perfect.  We sin….I sin.

Next time I’m feeling like I want to lash out or be hateful toward someone, I’m gonna try to remember this passage.  Remember that God wants me to grow; He wants me to love.

Prayer:  
Dear Father, thank you for this passage.  Help me think of you in all I do.  Give me the strength to love and forgive.  Thank you for all your many blessings.  Amen.