CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
Matthew 5:38-42
In Matthew 5:38-42 Jesus gives an example of being treated wrongly but focuses on not returning the wrongdoing with revenge. He uses examples of the “Old Testament Law” from Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:12 to show that in a person’s treatment of another, if done unjustly, should be equally returned to the oppressor as their punishment for treating another in a wrongful fashion. This was intended by God to be a guiding factor to keep one from treating others wrongly, not as a means of retribution.
This is an example of how Satan twists the commands of God in the eyes of man to keep him from being obedient to God.
This is an example of a command given by God that was intended to be a “good” guideline to help man treat his neighbor with respect, but was twisted into a hateful and revengeful retribution which was reflective of the ways of this world in Satan’s view.
We too carry this same attitude in the sinful nature of this world that attacks us each day. We are quick to point out the faults of others (as if they are in need of being punished for their sinful actions) but are blind to the same faults that we exhibit. This is a great example of the sinful ways of this world in which Jesus came to set us free from. The attitude – the mindset of the sinful ways of this world is the attack of Satan on mankind. Jesus came to set us free from the chains that Satan ties us in – He came to set us free from the mindset and the cold sinful heart that is our sinful nature. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6a). Jesus is the way out of the chains that Satan has us bound in; Jesus is the truth that gives life eternal in the realization of the gift that He is for us in the salvation that He, and only He can provide; Jesus is the life that is true and eternal, forgiven and set free from the chains that the sinful nature of this world binds us in. Jesus teaches us in John 3:3 as He spoke these words to Nicodemus (HCSB), “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” In John 14:6a (NKJV) Jesus states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” But we must also realize the reasoning for Jesus saying this as we learn in John 14:6b, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus explains this in John 3:16, the most memorized verse in all the Bible, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” But simple memorizing a Bible verse without opening your heart to the way, the truth, and the life that is found in it is simply living in a false since of salvation. We cannot twist (or allow Satan to twist) the words of God into a false since of salvation in Christ Jesus. We cannot allow Satan to rule our lives any longer. We must stand up – in Christ Jesus – and repent from our sins and begin – today – seeking the way, the truth, and the life that is only found in believing in the Savior of the world – Jesus – and follow in His footsteps.
Dear LORD,
We are lost in the trickery and twisted ways of the sinful nature of this world. Please help us to see the evil ways of the sinful nature so that we would gain a desire to be set free from them. Please help us to seek Jesus in repentance with a desire to be born again as Jesus teaches us in John 3:3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” In Jesus name I pray, amen.