Wednesday, July 8, 2009

It's Not Always Easy, But It Can Be Done


(Photo source All Posters)

How many times have you heard the saying "turn the other cheek?" I have, more times than I can count. When someone is causing you trouble & grief, the last thing on our minds is going to be turning the other cheek. To respond in such manner looks like a weakness on our part. However, in all actuality, it is a great strength.

There were several times in Scriptures where JESUS had to do this very thing. So when HE tells us in Matthew 5:39 "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also," HE'S not asking us to do something that HE Himself hasn't had to do. Is it always easy...by any means, No! But just because it's not easy doesn't mean it's impossible.

"Yeah ok, but if I let that person get away with what they did to me, I'll look weak & others will begin to think they can mistreat me and I'll just let it slide." This thought is a legitimate one, but what we need to learn is not to walk after the flesh but after the spirit. Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." When we learn to walk in love, the agape kind of love, you are better able to 'make the decision to be motivated by that love rather than your own human feelings.' (quote from Kenneth Copeland)

So the next time you are faced with a situation that requires you to turn the other cheek, remember Romans 5:5, which tells us, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." The more we walk in love, the more power we truly have.

Matthew 5:38-48 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

8 comments:

Lori said...

I love how you incorporated so much Scripture in this post. Very good post.

I wanted to comment on your Fig Preserves too, but I have a terrible time leaving comments sometimes! I guess it's because of my dialup. Anyway, would you believe I've never even seen a fig...much less eaten one??? I know. I know. :) I must live in a cave. :) Those neatly filled jars sure do look good though.

Keeper of the Home said...

Lori ~
Hey there cave dweller! *big grin* There are several fruits and veggies that I have only heard of but never seen or tried. So we're even! T be honest, I never was a fig fan before until I made preserves a few years back and realized they were pretty tasty. They have a fall-ish flavor to me. (if there is such thing as a fall flavor.)

~Mrs. M

Lori said...

Hey Mrs. M!

You asked about putting a line through a word...tried emailing but couldn't get it to go through. :) So I'll just answer here.

When you create a new post in blogger, there are two tabs: HTML and COMPOSE. You can write up your post in COMPOSE mode. Suppose you want to put a line through the word gold. Click on the HTML tab, find the word gold. Just before the word, type this:
< strike > Don't put any spaces there...I had to or blogger wouldn't publish my comment. Write the wordl gold, then type this (with no spaces):
< /strike >
Hope I haven't confused ya!:)

Renee said...

Such a beautiful and moving post. Thank you.

Farming On Faith said...

Thank you for the wonderful devotion~let us always be reminded to let handle our battles!
So good!
Carrie

Keeper of the Home said...

Lori ~
I did get your email. Thank you so much for the help.

~Mrs. M

AngelRhoden said...

If we can only remember He asks us to do things for a purpose even if we don't understand it! I still struggle with things like that, but I'm so thankful He's patient with me! Thanks for writing what the Scripture says.

Flat Creek Farm said...

This is a great reminder and devotion for today. Thank you! Think I shall come back and re-read tomorrow as well :) -Tammy