Pay Back

For Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Proverbs 24:28-29

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
and do not deceive with your lips.
Do not say, "I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done."

Here is where the Christian is to be distinguished. It is the natural reaction to get even with the person who has harmed us. We say do ourselves that we are only seeking what is fair. Our neighbor is only getting what is coming to him. This seems just. And so we should seek justice... for others. For ourselves, we are to be concerned only with the welfare of our neighbor and return his wrong behavior with the kind that will bear witness to the gospel. For our hope is to be the salvation of our enemy. That is why Jesus taught the following:

38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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 do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

This is hard teaching to live out. But nevertheless, it is what our Lord teaches. To live such a life today is what will honor him.