I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever
slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also —Matthew 5:39
This verse reveals the humiliation of being a Christian. In
the natural realm, if a person does not hit back, it is because he is a coward.
But in the spiritual realm, it is the very evidence of the Son of God in him if
he does not hit back. When you are insulted, you must not
only not resent it, but you must make it an opportunity to exhibit the
Son of God in your life. And you cannot imitate the nature of Jesus— it is
either in you or it is not. A personal insult becomes an opportunity for a
saint to reveal the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus.
The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not, “Do your
duty,” but is, in effect, “Do what is not your duty.” It is not your duty to go
the second mile, or to turn the other cheek, but Jesus said that if we are His
disciples, we will always do these things. We will not say, “Oh well, I just
can’t do any more, and I’ve been so misrepresented and misunderstood.” Every
time I insist on having my own rights, I hurt the Son of God, while in fact I can
prevent Jesus from being hurt if I will take the blow myself. That is the real
meaning of filling “up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
. . .” (Colossians 1:24).
A disciple realizes that it is his Lord’s honor that is at stake in his life,
not his own honor.
Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never
cease to be righteous yourself. We are always looking for justice, yet the
essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is— Never
look for justice, but never cease to give it.
(Taken from Oswald Chambers – “My Utmost
for His Highest” July 14)