Against the Grain // The Pathway to Internal Peace // Jason King // October 20, 2024

Faith

Against the Grain // The Pathway to Internal Peace

Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Exodus 21:23-25 (NIV)

“if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”

Leviticus 24:19-20 (NIV)

“Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury.”

Deuteronomy 19:21 (NIV)

“Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”

The upside-down Kingdom of God:

1. Retaliation is not of my Kingdom.

Matthew 5:38-39 (NIV)

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

Luke 17:1 (NKJV)

Jesus said, “It is impossible that no offenses should come.”

Proverb 19:11 (NIV)

“A person’s wisdom yields patience;

it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

James 3:9-11 (NIV)

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?”

Luke 6:45 (NKJV)

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."

Psalm 51:10 (NKJV)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.”