Is This A Test - Matthew 5:38-41 (NKJV)

Scripture of the Day
Matthew 5:38-41 (NKJV)
“Is This A Test”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
-----------------------------------------------------
Yeah!  Another one of those, “I know what the bible says . . . but I’m not there yet!”  Have you been in any situation where you had to fall on the double-edge sword?  You know that you are right, and you know that they are wrong, but for the sake of being the “Good Christian” you turn the other cheek! 

This is definitely one of those that I use to say, “I’m not there yet!”  But then I think of all the things JESUS did!  Remember what I always say, “It’s not what would JESUS do (WWJD), but what DID JESUS do (WDJD), because HE did it all!  Before JESUS asked us to do something, HE was willing to do it HIMSELF!  HE took the slander, and the wicked stares, and the torn flesh, and the spilt blood!  HE literally took the slap and turned the other cheek!  I'm so glad that HE didn’t look towards the FATHER when HE was on the cross and said, “I’m not there yet!” and got down!

So the next time you find yourself wanting to retaliate towards the things someone has done, don’t respond with “I’m not there yet!” But ask the question, “LORD, is this a test?” 

Rejoice In The Testimony Today

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I live by this daily. The hard part is really letting go so that the ulcers do not develop.

The key phrase to remember (especially in marriage) is we as men, husbands, and sometimes fathers must learn to give up our "Right to be Right".

I've seen several people, couples, coworkers... arguing over something as simple as a quote from a movie. I ask myself (when I think two-steps-ahead), will my being wrong cause bodily harm to my family, cause bankruptcy, or cause any other irreparable damage?" If not, then I let it go. I know for a fact that the transformer Bumblebee was originally a yellow VW Beetle. Will I let this discussion escalate into an argument with my 11-yr old? No. I will tell him in a couple of days that Transformers is on Boomerang and I want to watch it with him. When he sees the original Bumblebee transform, he will look at me with a smile, I will smile back, and we will enjoy each other’s company with both of us knowing that "Dad was right, Dad was nice, and I want to be like him".

That's how I see God. "God is right, God is nice, and I want to be like Him". Every now and then, he has to lay the smackdown with a flood, or some fire and brimstone. But for the most part, he allows us to learn on our own in ways that don't cause us to come to anger, and shows us a better way to be.

My 2-cents.

Thanks for these! Yes, they do get read.