SCRIPTURE
Matthew 5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that 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. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
OBSERVATION
Most people will do good if someone has been good to them, and most people will do good to someone if there hasn’t been any hostility between them, but Jesus is asking us to be good to everybody.
Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
He wants us to return good when we have received evil but then he gives us an even higher demand that we should make it our goal to be like our Father.
Most kids do look like their parents in the way they behave you can see characteristics that resemble the parent. My heavenly Father, who is perfect, is telling me that if I am a member of his family then I need to behave like him.
1 Peter 1:15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
APPLICATION
Don’t give the family a bad name with my misbehaving
PRAYER
Jesus please give me the strength and wisdom to enable me to behave like one of your children should.
