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Do Not Retaliate; Love Your Enemies


Matthew 5.38-48

Non-Retaliation
Matthew 5.38-39a


Lex Talionis – the principle of exact retribution.

  • Prescriptive – Retribution should fit the crime.
  • Restrictive – It should be limited to nothing more.

It not only defines justice, but it restrains revenge.

It is meant as civil law, not personal moral law.

Leviticus 19.18 

Matthew 6.14-15 

We are called to resist the devil:
Eph. 6.11; 1 Pet. 5.9; Jas. 4.7

“Do not take revenge on the evil person who wrongs you.”

 

The Four Illustrations 

Matthew 5.39b-42

These are illustrations of principles, not detailed regulations.

Jesus’ purpose is not to encourage injustice; it is to forbid revenge, and to have an attitude of mercy.

It’s not to be a doormat, but to be an anvil.

This is the strong person who upholds a higher principle of love, the selfless person who, when wronged, refuses to take revenge.



Love Your Enemies

Matthew 5.43-48

This is a blatant perversion of the Law.

Leviticus 19.17-18

Matthew 5.44

This is love in action.

Luke 6.27-28

We should love our enemies in our actions, our words, and our prayers.

Proverbs 25.21-22

Jesus lays a choice before us: we can be like our Father in heaven, or like the worst of sinners.

Matthew 5.45

The theological term for this is common grace.

Romans 5.10

Matthew 5.46-47

Matthew 5.48

So What?

  1. When you are insulted, or injured, or compelled to do what you don’t want to do, do not retaliate. Romans 12.19
  2. As is within your ability, be generous.
  3. Love your enemies with actions, words, and prayers.

1 Corinthians 13.3

Romans 12.17-21

Let this be our goal as followers of Jesus: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.












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