Author’s note: If you are new to my blog and are interested in reading the 23.xx series, please first read the 23.01 through 23.09 in order to best get the idea of what I am attempting to communicate. They are built like chapters in a book, one building on the previous one. Consider the points made in each article to help you understand where I am coming from in hopes I can make a connection with you on your spiritual journey.
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Just when you thought you had humbled yourself enough, it’s not long before you find another pile of spiritual dung to clean out.
Christ’s teachings often address self-pride issues in relation to God’s standards.
There are many tough passages in Holy Scripture which are difficult for unbelievers and believers alike. However, if you are one who has faith in the redeeming power of God’s Grace through the Lord Jesus Christ, you have a key to a better understanding.
This teaching of Jesus takes a common person’s tolerance level and turns it on its head, here is an excerpt from a larger passage related to the same:
“You have heard that it is 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 miles. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away” (Matthew 5:38-42).
I’ve heard a couple rationalizations for this passage, some citing how to skirt Roman law and others explaining how turning the other cheek can somehow be trick defensive move; while these real world analogies would have been relatable to Jesus’ contemporaries, it helps us to know that many of Christ’s teachings are intended to demolish our worldly standards of tolerance.
These verses and others in the Scripture take an in-your-face whack at worldly sensibilities. Some religious church-going people can reject the authority of Scripture as quickly as any agnostic when they are befuddled by God’s kick in the pants.
The majestic facets of God abound throughout Scripture, yet self-pride and snap judgments are a stumbling block to effective interpretation, not to mention predispositions to simply disregard the Bible.
One of the keys to understanding this passage rests in the focus of Jesus’ ministry. His aim was to help a spiritually misdirected generation understand the keys to the Kingdom of God, or rather, providing a proudly self-righteous and unsaved people an illustration of humility that topples their status quo mindset.
The unseen Kingdom of God is something Christians have a faithful conviction of, so Jesus’ effort to shine light is not so much a social commentary as it is about bridging the gap between a Holy God and sinful humans. In order to bring people to the saving grace of God it requires crushing the human walls that are detrimental to the pursuit of Godly righteousness.
In a non-criminal circumstance where personal retaliation may be considered a “natural” course of action, God’s higher Law may call for a believer to act in humility so that a Christian may save another soul, even the soul of his adversary.
Mercy, obedience, and humility in seeking God’s will challenge Christians to face their struggles with worldly desires and self-centered pride, that leaking sewer pipe over the table cloth of our humility.
CKY
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