Gospel Righteousness: Enemies
Matthew 5:38-48 ESV
Review of Matthew 5:
vv.1-12 Beatitudes - Christian Character
vv.13-16 Salt & Light - Christian Identity
vv.17-20 Law & Christ - Christ’s Fulfillment
vv.21-48 “But I say…” - Christian
As Christians, how should we treat those who have
1. Christ’s ways are often counter-cultural and counter-
a. Don’t set yourself against someone who intends evil. vv.38-42
Because of your
—
—
—
— abuse you
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but
b. Instead of retaliation,
Christian relationships aren’t
— He displays His
— He lavishes His
— He welcomes His enemies to His table to feast. v.47
Once upon a time, you and I were
Aren’t you glad Christ didn’t give us what we deserved?
2. Christ’s ways are impossible without Christ’s righteousness. v.48
a. Christians aren’t saved by
— If you are trying to obey God’s Law, you know the feelings of
b. Christians are
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:21-25, 28
c.