“You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But 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.” Matthew 5:38-39 In this world we hear many things – you get me and I will get you back worse; you call me a name I will attack you on social media and destroy you before the whole world….
BUT GOD SAYS NO!
My children must not live that way. Jesus is our example and Jesus said to those who nailed him to the cross ‘forgive them for they know not what they do.’ It’s fairly certain none of us has or will be nailed to a cross or anything nearly that bad BUT even if we are we are to forgive just as God in Christ has forgiven so much. If it is a brother or sister that offends then we must go to them and work at straightening that out as long as it is safe to do so and if not then one may have to do so at a distance. When we take the path of forgiveness we are following Jesus and we are reflecting his presence in our lives. Don’t worry about the response of others – we are not responsible for their actions / reactions but we are responsible for ours. Amen