Matthew 5

new living translation:
Go the Second Mile
38 You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Love Your Enemies
43 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?
48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Often times in the past friends who have gotten close to me have realized that I am the happiest when being used. How wack and messed up is that? Mostly Alex and Sherri have been concerned that I let others take advantage of me so often.

I have always known the principles of right and wrong ever since I was a little girl. My Dad being a pastor ultimately means I've been in church my entire life. It's just how I've grown up. When someone takes advantage of me sure I get upset. Mope around a little. But overall I have never sought after revenge on a person. It just has always seemed immoral to do such things. It was the way I was raised. I was extremely blessed with my parents being amazing Godly people.

However I am seeing the importance of relating all things to scripture. One of the biggest battles I get being home in Michigan is "Why would you go to IHOP, they're charismatic there and with them it doesn't really matter what the bible says because they're hearing God up close and personal". It's a complete lie! I belive Mike Bickle said it best while preaching on going deep into God and encountering Jesus. He said "Don't throw your brain away. If it's not in the bible don't accept it. Be anchored in the word of God".

It's so important! So good!

So why does Jesus teach us to pray for those who persecute us? How come that is a way of living righteous? Well he says it in verse 45. God sends forth the sun for the good as well as the evil and sends the rain for the unjust as well as the just. God loves everyone. We are to be perfect as our Father is perfect, as Jesus was perfect.

I guess the big revelation I received while studying this passage, as well as the rest of Sermon on the Mount was that if there is someone who is saying evil things about you, making fun of you, bullying, consistantly doing things to harm others. The reason we should pray for them is because it is their heart that is distraught and vulgar. If we were to seek revenge or our own earthly form of punishment towards them it would blacken our own heart making it unpleasant to the eyes of God.

Ironically enough I was reading in 1 Samuel this past Tuesday. Where David meets Abigail (the woman I am named after) and she convinces David to not seek after his own revenge on Nabel (Abigails husband), but convinces him that God will take care of the judgement and punishment for our adversaries. David wanted so badly to get this guy (Nabel) back for the disregard of hospitality he was shown. Suffice to say Nabel has a stroke and soon after dies of another. David therefore remained a man of righteousness for not sinning against God by going and killing Nabel. Since I know you're dying to find out what happens to Abigail next, her being the heroine of the story. David takes her to be his wife, and she has a son named Daniel.

Once at a youth meeting we were discussing self image, comparing and contrasting God's image of us. Our youth pastor said that when people say things like "you're ugly" they're not really having a problem with us, they're having a problem with God. The reply to that comment was: "Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. Because I, just like you, had no input in the matter of the way I was formed and if you have a problem with the way I look, you have an issue with my creator, not me".

God is fair and just and he is incharge and the creator of our lives. If someone has a problem with me. I'll no longer get upset. I'll pray for them. And hope that they change their hearts attitude before standing infront of their creator.

Lastly, an encouragement to those who are praying for their persecutors. I once heard of a man who worked with a woman who would drive him absolutely insane. She'd always over analyze his work and made his job seem unbareable. So he started praying for the woman. That woman was then blessed to the point where she was so advancely promoted he no longer had to see her. She had been blessed out of his life.

Thanks to any of you out there who actually read this stuff. :)
<3 Abby