Scripture

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

Observation

Even though the Law says, “eye for eye and tooth for tooth”, we are not to seek revenge. If someone strikes us on the right cheek, we are to let them strike us on the left cheek also. Always go further than the law requires.

Teachers have said, “Love your neighbour, but hate your enemy.” Jesus says we must love our enemies. We must pray for those who persecute us, and greet brothers and pagans alike.

Application

Who is my enemy? I don’t think that I have any enemies as such. Perhaps there are people who are opposed to the gospel and therefore to me, but I don’t know who these people are.

Nobody mocks me or hurts me or calls me names that I know of.

Jesus says that we should expect persecution just for being His followers. We are to love those who hate us.

Things are changing in Western cultures. The move towards persecution of christians is accelerating. If there is no revival, then it is possible that enemies will increase.

So I need to practise love and forgiveness towards everyone. In this way, Jesus says,we behave like our Father in heaven who blesses even those who hate Him.

Prayer

Lord, it is hard to love those who are hostile to me. Please help me to do this. Amen.

Scripture

“Just say a simple ‘Yes, I will’ or ‘No I won’t’. Anything beyond this is from the evil one. “

Observation

Jesus says that, although the law stated that a man could divorce a woman by just giving her a written notice, He says that divorce should only come when one person has been unfaithful.

Not only should people keep their vows, it is much better not to make vows at all. It is better to simply say “Yes” or “No” than to make elaborate vows, swearing by things that you cannot affect.

Application

Vows are not a common part of modern day life, except perhaps in wedding ceremonies and in courts of law. A vow is a solemn promise which carried weight before the law. In most cases we have written contracts and agreements rather than verbal promises.

The problem is that people are always looking for loopholes. The scribes and Pharisees taught that certain vows could be ignored or broken because they were of lesser importance than others.

Jesus goes straight to the heart of things and says, “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no.” Don’t look to get out of promises you have made, and don’t promise what you can’t deliver.

There used to be a saying, “My word is my bond.” In other words, whatever you promise will be done, without a contract or deposit.

There was a major property developer in one city who undertook hundreds of projects without ever signing a contract. He was known as a man whose word could be trusted.

This is the way of Jesus. There are times when our society says that contracts and vows are necessary by law. For followers of Jesus, truth is such a part of our value system that we should be known as people of integrity, with or without legal guarantees.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please show me any part of my life that is not regulated by your integrity, and help me to change my ways. Amen.