!
Matthew 5:38-39,43-44 NLT
"You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' [39] But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. [43] "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbour' and hate your enemy. [44] But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
The mob outside the Wakeley Church in Sydney cried "eye for eye" after Bishop Mar Mari was stabbed by a young man as he was preaching.
They had really got stuck in the Old Testament.
Of course, they were rightly incensed about the act of terrorism perpetuated in the church.
Yet they, like me, had failed to absorb Jesus' teachings on anger and revenge.
The Bishop, however, urged his congregation to pray for the young man.
That is the mark of a true follower of Jesus.
Yes, it is right for him to be dealt with by proper law enforcers, but the "law of love" must be applied in prayer by Christians.
Too often the circle of violence and hatred remains in tact because we do not apply the words of Jesus correctly.
As the saying goes: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind!"
This hits hard against our own nature. That's why we need a "new nature" from above - a nature given by Jesus when we are "born again".
Only when God writes His Word in our heart can we apply "love your enemies!"
Father God, I'm far from following Jesus' words, please write these on my heart too.
Jeremiah 31:33 NLT
"But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days," says the LORD. "I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
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