www.toddbryant.com

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 encourages us to "Run away from sexual sin. Every other sin people do is outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies." 

Proverbs 16:25 NIV

"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."

1 Peter 1:18, 19 NIV

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."

Mark 11:25 NIV

"And when you stand praying, 

if you hold anything against anyone, 

forgive them, 

so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. ”

Proverbs 13:11 NIV

11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

1 Corinthians 1:18  NIV

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Retaliation and the Kingdom

Matthew 5:38–42 “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” (v. 39).

One of the best helps for interpreting the Sermon on the Mount properly is to remember that Jesus’ stipulations deal directly with interpersonal relationships within the covenant community and, secondarily, with those outside the church. It is not as if He has nothing to say to the structures of society, it is just that we err if we treat Christ’s words here as primarily dealing with law courts, warfare, and other broad societal and governmental concerns.

Consider today’s passage in which Jesus discusses the Law’s “eye-for-an-eye” justice (Matt. 5:38–42; see Ex. 21:23–25). Many assume He is saying that the so-called lex talionis is wrong, but such interpretations make Christ one who denies the goodness of God’s law (Rom. 7:7), not the one who fulfills it (Matt. 5:17–20). As God Himself, Jesus knows that eye-for-an-eye justice is wise, instituted to ensure that the punishment fits the crime. Justice in ancient Israel’s tribal system could have easily become endless feuding without this law. Without the lex talionis, in ancient times my family might kill you to avenge your breaking of my leg, your family might then kill my family, and so on. Today, news of young girls being raped or killed as punishment in some Islamic countries for “violating” their family’s “honor” reveals the righteousness of the lex talionis.

Eye-for-an-eye justice was given to the courts in Israel to ensure that victims received adequate restitution. However, the lex talionis was never intended to justify retaliation for everyday, personal offenses. This is what Jesus is talking about in today’s passage. A slap on the “right cheek,” which basically amounts to a personal insult, must not be returned in kind (Matt. 5:39). Believers give up their law-given right to keep their outer cloak (5:40; see Ex. 22:26–27), that is, we may not appeal to our legal rights every time we are wronged. The lex talionis restrains vengeance to help us cultivate a generous heart that overlooks personal offenses and forgives for the kingdom’s sake. In short, Matthew Henry says, “Christians must not be litigious; small injuries must be submitted to, and no notice taken of them; and if the injury is such as requires us to seek reparation, it must be for a good end, and without thought of revenge.”

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

The last point of Matthew Henry’s quote is important since there are times when seeking reparation may in fact be the best way to love our neighbor and keep him from sinning further. Such occasions, however, will be few and far between. We are to endure insults and offenses meekly, doing extra even for those who do not deserve it (Matt. 5:41). When someone asks you for a favor, volunteer to go above and beyond their request.

Thank you… Ligonier Ministries

What Should I Do During Times of Adversity?

You will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel.  Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.  1 Chronicles 22:13

David spoke wise words to his son Solomon before Solomon embarked on two assignments that were guaranteed to involve adversity – building the temple and ruling as king.  David reminded him to follow the Lord’s commands and to be strong and courageous.  Moses similarly advised Joshua to “be strong and of good courage” as Joshua was about to walk into a similar challenge rife with adversity – leading the nation of Israel into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 31:7).  Following Moses’ death the Lord spoke to Joshua and reiterated the command to “be strong and of good courage,” instructing him also to obey His Word and to remember that He would be with him wherever he went (Joshua 1:6-9).

Though you are not leading multitudes into the Promised Land or reigning as a king, you do understand adversity.  The same directions given to Solomon and Joshua to prepare them for challenges are applicable to your in whatever difficulty you will face.  You are to be strong and courageous and continue moving forward in the midst of your adversity because God is faithful and will be there with you.  Your strength and courage are based on His power.  You are to live according to the principles of God, relaying on His promises and resting in His power.

There are seasons when it is not easy to believe God is faithful.  Friends fail you; your health deteriorates; your plans are thwarted; a fellow believer betrays you.  In times like these, it is hard to harmonize God’s dealings with His vows of love and protection.  But always remember His steadfast love and His faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:24 says, “’The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’”  You need to wait on Him.  He will, in His own time, demonstrate that He has neither forsaken nor deceived you.  Great is His faithfulness in the midst of adversity!

Lord, I thank You for another day to live for You and serve You.  I do not know what difficulties I may encounter this day, but I do know that You have already gone before me.  Today I will live by Your principles as stated in Your Word.  Help me be strong and courageous today.  Remind me constantly of Your steadfast love and enduring faithfulness.  May You be glorified in my response to the challenges of this day.  Amen

Thank you… Dr. Danny Wood, Birmingham, AL

"He is precious."  1 Peter 2:7

As all the rivers run into the sea, so all delights centre in our Beloved. The glances of his eyes outshine the sun: the beauties of his face are fairer than the choicest flowers: no fragrance is like the breath of his mouth. Gems of the mine, and pearls from the sea, are worthless things when measured by his preciousness. Peter tells us that Jesus is precious, but he did not and could not tell us how precious, nor could any of us compute the value of God's unspeakable gift. Words cannot set forth the preciousness of the Lord Jesus to his people, nor fully tell how essential he is to their satisfaction and happiness. Believer, have you not found in the midst of plenty a sore famine if your Lord has been absent? The sun was shining, but Christ had hidden himself, and all the world was black to you; or it was night, and since the bright and morning star was gone, no other star could yield you so much as a ray of light. What a howling wilderness is this world without our Lord! If once he hideth himself from us, withered are the flowers of our garden; our pleasant fruits decay; the birds suspend their songs, and a tempest overturns our hopes. All earth's candles cannot make daylight if the Sun of Righteousness be eclipsed. He is the soul of our soul, the light of our light, the life of our life. Dear reader, what wouldst thou do in the world without him, when thou wakest up and lookest forward to the day's battle? What wouldst thou do at night, when thou comest home jaded and weary, if there were no door of fellowship between thee and Christ? Blessed be his name, he will not suffer us to try our lot without him, for Jesus never forsakes his own. Yet, let the thought of what life would be without him enhance his preciousness.