“Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it.
And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.”
Matthew 5:38-42 MSG
Jesus always challenges the “normal” way to deal with things and is speaking here of a different way to live your life. A way the doesn’t come naturally or how most people live but a different way altogether that doesn’t depend on “getting ahead” but depends on God’s faithful provision for you financially, physically, and spiritually. When God is your source, others don’t have to be.
He says that if someone takes advantage of you- give them what you have and move on with your life. Let it go. Trust God to give you what you need. Ask God to bless them.
In this way, you will be living in the abundance of God’s love instead of the famine of bitter resentments.
God doesn’t deny that bad things happen or that people might take advantage of you but He also doesn’t abandon you to it. He empowers you to trust Him and pours out His Spirit on you so that you can move on.
True freedom is living generously in your heart, spirit, and life.
It is going beyond the bare minimum to experiencing full abundance in Christ.
It doesn’t happen in a day but it happens as you walk with Jesus, day by day.
My friend, I know you have been wronged. I know someone has taken advantage of you. I know that someone is asking something from you that is unreasonable. All I am saying today is that you ask Jesus if whatever it is, is worth your peace of mind and the state of your heart.
I am praying for you today.
