Craig Smith • Radical Love • June 25, 2023
If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. (Exod. 21:22-25)
Jesus confronts the human tendency to retaliate when wronged…
• Radical love over
– “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.” (Matt. 5:38-39a)
• When your
is taken – “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matt. 5:39b)
• When your
is taken – “And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.” (Matt. 5:40)
• When your
is taken – “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” (Matt. 5:41)
• When your
are taken – “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matt. 5:42)
Do not repay anyone evil for evil…Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:17a, 19, 21)
• Radical love over
– “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matt. 5:43-44)
• To love your
is to act like your
– “…that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45)
• Self-serving love is a
– “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:46-48)
When we love God
, we love others
…
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)
