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.

Journal DJR
Good morning Lord,
Turning the other cheek and going the extra mile … it’s pretty easy to see when demonstrated in others… also the lack of such is easy to see. But it’s pretty easy to fall into self protection and self promotion when left to our own devices.

Yes, so dont leave yourself to your own devices. Come to me daily and surrender your own devices. My devices, (which include a cross to get past your devices) bring you into a higher and better way of thinking. After you’ve surrendered your thinking and your feelings you can accept this other cheek and extra mile type of thinking. Until then, it will only be academic, you can recognize it but you won’t be able to live it. So connect with me. Surrender your “rights” and need for justice, and peace and power to live this life will flow into you.

OK Lord, I get that. But what about Bonhoffer? when he decided it was time to assassinate Hitler to stop the evil of the holocaust, or our founders who threw the tea in the harbor? Or Luther’s 95 Theses on the Wittenberg Door. Or Peter when he said that he must obey God rather than man? These were times of saying “No” to the power structures, both religious and political.

There are indeed times when you will be called to “civil disobedience” or rebellion. But it’s best to let me choose them and direct you, rather than you reacting to perceived injustices. As you surrender your desire to
Look Good
Feel Good
Be Right &
Be In Control

you will find the peace in the other cheek and the extra mile. It won’t be a burden when it comes from your connection with me. So if you’re having to grunt and willpower yourself … there’s still more to surrender. Meet me in our Holy Place and I will show you.

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