The Old Testament has a lot to say about how the Hebrew people were to deal with situations when wronged. It advocates for a fair system of recompense which reflects the very heart of God’s character. Today we have been inexorably drawn into a fault, claims and compensation culture, which looks nothing like what God intended. When something goes wrong, we believe that there is always someone to blame and that they should pay for it. This has bred an attitude of discontent and greed. There are occasions where it is appropriate to make claims but there are many more where the claimant takes advantage of the system to get whatever they can – money for nothing. For the believer, God’s grace is sufficient. Contentment in Christ brings peace of mind, without the need to recourse to our rights and to worldly gain.
1 Corinthians 6:7
“To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?”
When people were wronged in Jesus’ day, they looked to the law of Moses to make things right again. It was normal to seek recompense, even to the point of death (Lev. 24:17; Deut. 19:21). However, in Matthew 5:38-39, Jesus makes the controversial claim that this is no longer the case. If you have been wronged, you must not seek revenge. Instead, you must forgive and love your neighbour:
“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
These words are from the Sermon on the Mount, which is often read as a series of disjointed life lessons. I am convinced that the message has a far more coherent theme, the theme of the heart. The heart of a person reveals who they really are. As Jesus teaches and equips His followers to walk the Christian path, He is chiefly concerned with the motivations behind their actions rather than the actions themselves. However, if we are Christians, our outward actions should reflect the inner heart change that Jesus has made possible.
As Christians, our outward actions should reflect the inner heart change that Jesus has made possible.
Not only was this teaching counter-cultural then but it remains so today. Forgiveness is difficult, even for the Christian, as it is so counterintuitive to our old nature and the cultural norm. The good news for the believer is that we are not left to our own devices. Since obtaining forgiveness for our sins through the cross of Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit who helps us to live the new life that we have been called to. As we allow the light of the gospel to affect our conduct towards others – especially towards fellow believers – we reflect our changed hearts. As we do good and forgive those who have wronged us, we are in turn reflecting the light and forgiveness of Christ towards this dark world, which so desperately needs it.
Forgiveness is at the very heart of Christianity; Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins.
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