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d) Meekness Overcomes Revenge (Matthew 5:38-42)
MATTHEW 5:40-42
40 If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. 41 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you. (1 Corinthians 6:7; Hebrew 10:34)
Christ also delivers us from materialism, for he lived among us – poor, meek and content. Today He changes us into His own image. This divine purpose was realized in the experience of a carpenter who was coming back to his house after meeting with his Christian brothers. He saw two thieves carrying logs out of his plant. The carpenter overcame himself. He helped them and added some other articles. He finally accompanied them to the car, which made them think he was also a thief willing to participate in their crime, but they soon blushed when he told them he was the owner of the plant. He met their theft with meekness and love. One of them was so ashamed of himself that he repented and committed himself to Christ confessing his sins. Do not forget that Christ is willing to free your heart from your rights and possessions to loving sacrifice and silent service.
The sum of this is that Christians must not be litigious. Small injuries must be overlooked. If the injury requires us to seek reparation, it must be for a good end and without thought of revenge. We must not invite injuries, yet we must meet them cheerfully in the way of duty and make the best of them. If any one says, “Flesh and blood cannot pass by such an affront,” let them remember that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50).
The Holy Spirit leads us to give wisely and generously from our food and money so that we may not become greedy. Our Heavenly Father did not demand from us almsgiving, fasting and praying as a provision for our salvation, since He is the unlimited lover and the giver, free of charge. He blesses us and saves us together with all who accept his generous kindness. His purpose is that we, as well, become an overflowing stream of His grace, lend to the needy without interest, refuse the love of money in us and glorify His name in the life of sacrifice.
Let us be ready to lend, which is sometimes as great a piece of charity as giving, as it not only relieves the present emergency, but also obliges the borrower to providence, activity and honesty. Therefore, do not turn him away, he that would borrow from you something to live on, or something to trade on. Do not shun those that you know have such a request to make to you, nor contrive excuses to shake them off. Be easy of access to him that would borrow: though he be bashful, and have not confidence to make known his case and beg the favor, yet you know both his need and his desire, and therefore offer him kindness as possible and wisely.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are full of patience and love, and Your Son is the mild, gentle incarnate One. Please forgive us our disobedience and excessive sensitiveness and put to death our selfishness and hard hearts that we may become strong to sacrifice and humility, bear the sinners and draw their hearts to repentance by love, that they may also behave as children of Your Holy Spirit.
QUESTION:
- Who are the self-released?