DO YOU GET MAD….EVEN…OR AHEAD? (6 OF 8)
by Jeff Lynn
Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42
This content is part of a series.
Do You Get Mad….Even…or Ahead? (6 of 8)
Series: Righteousness Redefined
Jeff Lynn
Matthew 5:38-42
Perhaps you've heard, or even used the phrase, "I don't get mad…I get even."
What it means is that someone who gets offended or mistreated will not just get mad, they will retaliate in some form or fashion.
This morning we are going to look at what Jesus says about "getting even" and try to clear up some misunderstandings about a passage that has been misinterpreted and misused over the centuries.
As we've seen throughout this series, Jesus is raising the bar when it comes to righteousness, or right living.
While there were those who thought they were guiltless by keeping the "letter" of the Law, Jesus is proclaiming that we need to be about the "spirit" of the Law.
TEXT: Matthew 5:38-42
We live in a "tit-for-tat" world.
Even among Christ-followers there is a tendency to want to get even with someone for a wrong that they did to us.
But that is not the way of someone who pledges their allegiance to Christ.
In these five verses, Jesus is redefining righteousness when it comes to retaliation.
What are we to see and remember when it comes to us being offended or mistreated?
RELINQUISH YOUR RIGHTS
While not specifically stated in these verses, when you become/became a follower of Christ, you gave up your rights to call the shots.
Remember what Jesus said about those who were called and chose to follow Him:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me"
Matthew 16:24
A Christian denies himself of selfishness and the need/desire to retaliate against those who have hurt him or her.
Anyone who saw someone carrying a Roman cross knew that they were on their way to death, and that they had given up any rights.
We might hear phrases such as, "Well that's not fair", or "I have my rights".
If anyone had "rights" and "privilege ...
Series: Righteousness Redefined
Jeff Lynn
Matthew 5:38-42
Perhaps you've heard, or even used the phrase, "I don't get mad…I get even."
What it means is that someone who gets offended or mistreated will not just get mad, they will retaliate in some form or fashion.
This morning we are going to look at what Jesus says about "getting even" and try to clear up some misunderstandings about a passage that has been misinterpreted and misused over the centuries.
As we've seen throughout this series, Jesus is raising the bar when it comes to righteousness, or right living.
While there were those who thought they were guiltless by keeping the "letter" of the Law, Jesus is proclaiming that we need to be about the "spirit" of the Law.
TEXT: Matthew 5:38-42
We live in a "tit-for-tat" world.
Even among Christ-followers there is a tendency to want to get even with someone for a wrong that they did to us.
But that is not the way of someone who pledges their allegiance to Christ.
In these five verses, Jesus is redefining righteousness when it comes to retaliation.
What are we to see and remember when it comes to us being offended or mistreated?
RELINQUISH YOUR RIGHTS
While not specifically stated in these verses, when you become/became a follower of Christ, you gave up your rights to call the shots.
Remember what Jesus said about those who were called and chose to follow Him:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me"
Matthew 16:24
A Christian denies himself of selfishness and the need/desire to retaliate against those who have hurt him or her.
Anyone who saw someone carrying a Roman cross knew that they were on their way to death, and that they had given up any rights.
We might hear phrases such as, "Well that's not fair", or "I have my rights".
If anyone had "rights" and "privilege ...
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