Suffering Afflictions and Going the Second Mile
July 14th, 2014 by JDVaughn
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I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also —Matthew 5:39
This verse reveals the humiliation of being a Christian.
In the natural realm, if a person does not hit back, it is because he is a coward. But in the spiritual realm, it is the very evidence of the Son of God in him if he does not hit back. When you are insulted, you must not only not resent it, but you must make it an opportunity to exhibit the Son of God in your life. And you cannot imitate the nature of Jesus— it is either in you or it is not.
A personal insult becomes an opportunity for a saint to reveal the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus.The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not, “Do your duty,” but is, in effect, “Do what is not your duty.” It is not your duty to go the second mile, or to turn the other cheek, but Jesus said that if we are His disciples, we will always do these things. We will not say, “Oh well, I just can’t do any more, and I’ve been so misrepresented and misunderstood.” Every time I insist on having my own rights, I hurt the Son of God, while in fact I can prevent Jesus from being hurt if I will take the blow myself. That is the real meaning of filling “up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ . . .” (Colossians 1:24). A disciple realizes that it is his Lord’s honor that is at stake in his life, not his own honor.
Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never cease to be righteous yourself. We are always looking for justice, yet the essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is— Never look for justice, but never cease to give it.
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Lord, I have read this scripture over and over, and have seen plays, films and read books about the struggle between retaliation and pacifism. When I was growing up I could not understand how the missionaries in the stories and films could simply “turn the other cheek” when being attacked. I could never understand the Quakers, or other nonviolent people that would “resist not evil”. I am not certain I understand it all that much now. But I do understand that You are God, and You have my very best interests at heart. I know that when I “take over” a circumstance and want my “pound of flesh” or my “rights to myself” you take Your hands off of my situation and let me handle it. God help me understand, believe and trust that when I am connected to You, and give up my rights to myself, You can and do meet all my needs. And God says…”Your psychologists and “new age thinkers” have written that what you resist will persist. And while I have not spoken directly to this idea, I have told you over and over and over again, that you are to seek Jesus, first, in all things. I have told you that you are to give up your rights to yourself, to your anger and vengeance. When you give up your rights to yourself, are connected to Jesus and let Him live through you, you are free to receive untold blessings. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus and everything else you need will be provided. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not rely on your own understanding and ways of doing things, and I will make your paths straight. When you decide to take over your circumstance, situation and or conflict, I will let you. I will let go, and allow you to find your own way in it. When you give it and leave it with me, you are free to trust Me to handle it and meet all your needs according to My riches in glory.”
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