Just Thinking 15
I watched a short video clip some time ago of a slap competition, very much like arm wrestling. Each opponent takes turns in slapping the other, under the watchful eyes of umpires and the First Aid team. Ouch!
The first person that gives up or passes out after maybe a few slaps lose the match. This was a test of endurance and pain!
It was rather comic but it reminded me of the law of retaliation that Jesus Christ ripped apart in Matthew 5:38-41 which says,
“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.
The law of Moses taught that revenge or retaliation must match injury, but Jesus revised the law by saying that there should be no more retaliation for injury or offence.
Paul gave a reminder of God’s word in Romans 12:19, which says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay”.
The challenge is:
Can we take offence?
Do we resist the strong temptation not to retaliate?
Can we control our anger and emotions enough to pull back from hitting out at the offender?
It is not that easy to walk away without giving back to your offender a taste of what it feels like, but we can always ask God to help us control our emotions when offended and to forgive us of anger, wrath, and a lack of self-control.
Sweet revenge is not always sweet! Self-control is golden!
