THE PERFECT PAYBACK (Matthew 5)
Matthew 5:48 Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I. Payback With Finesse Not Force
38"You
have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39But
I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right
cheek, turn to him the other also.
II. Payback With Release Not Resistance
40And
if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as
well. 41If
someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give
to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow
from you.
III.
Payback With Prayer
43"You
have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.' 44But
I tell you: Love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you, 45that
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. 46If
you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax
collectors doing that? 47And
if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not
even pagans do that?