"Social Media" Sow Good Seed: Revenge or Golden Rule

11/21/2015

Revenge or Golden Rule


lex talionis: The Law of Retaliation


Matt 5:38
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Matt 5:39
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matt 5:40
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
Matt 5:41
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Matt 5:42
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.



All of us have in one time or another have wanted to get even. “REVENGE”.
A lot of us were brought up with T.V. shows and movies that will promote revenge.
Even countries will take revenge on certain groups or people. Todays current events are filled with violent acts of evil. The news we watch and/or read, are all about what the devil has been doing for the day.
We live in a nation that claim 70% of the people are Christian. I am not here to judge your walk with the Lord, but we will know them by there fruit. (Matthew 7:17-18) Lets face it, we live in a country that for the most part does not live up to a 70% Christian culture.
Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek. To truly be able to do this takes great restraint. We have to always remember that vengeance is the Lord's. (Romans 12:19)



Before the days of Moses revenge was sought privately. People would punish the wrong doer out their anger, and they would take it way too far. There many stories in the bible about this very thing. Genesis 4:23-24 Lamech, For I have slain a man for wounding me. Genesis 34 Simeon and Levi, got revenge for the violation of their sister Dinah. There are several more instances of people seeking revenge. They all end badly.

God gave Moses this law to bring order to the Israelites. The Mosaic law laid down the rule of punishment by the magistrate, to bring judgment, which the wrong doer had committed against a complainant. Leviticus 24:20 Exodus 21:24. It was life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, this is, no doubt, for the magistrate. This was to satisfy the injured person.
This law is for the protection of man against himself.

But the Jews introduced this principle of retaliation back into private life. Each man became judge for himself when and how far it should be inflicted. Thereby the principle of revenge was cultivated, and all appeasement became dishonorable.





Jesus brings this law up in the sermon on the mount, and adds to it, for the followers of the new covenant.
If we did not have this 1 law, it would be unsafe for you to go anywhere.
It is the Golden Rule: Matt 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.


We are to walk in the Love and Glory of our Lord Jesus, to bring His peace upon everyone we come in contact with, of any culture, or any walks of life. We do not know when we will every have the chance to witness the gospel to any person before their departure. The things that happen in this life are just temporary, but when someone leaves this life it will be forever. I don't want to see anyone go to Hell. So if your ever persecuted in your walk with our Lord always show the Love Jesus to them. It will be a lasting impression of your Godly restraint.


I will leave you with this last verse that says it all:
Matt 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;