Jesus Changed the Rules

In Matthew 5, Jesus changes the rules on how we treat our enemies. He is talking to a group of people and changes the rules and tells them to love their enemies.

Who does Jesus identify as an enemy?

An evil person

Verse 39, “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.“ (NKJV)

 

Those who sue you.

Verse 40, “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.” (NKJV)

Those who compel you to go one mile. The person who would persecute.

Verse 41, “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” (NKJV)

When you see these people, your response should be different from the world’s response—that’s loving your enemy. Jesus said, “Do for your enemy what you would do for your friend.” Here the whole rule has changed—love your enemy. There should be something in us that we will respond differently than what the world responds. This would require you to go way beyond your ability to do it.  We love our enemy by responding differently than our natural response. You hit me—the natural response is to hit back. You sue me—the natural response is to sue you. There should be something in us that should respond differently than what the world responds. We all have our off times, but the more we display His character—we act like Him.

Verse 44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

“This is grown folk Christianity.”—Pastor Billy Johnson

Jesus changed the rules because it shows we are children of the Father. The Word of God can hit a dead spirit and a spirit can be reborn. You cannot do this in your own strength. The Word gives you the power. Nobody has arrived yet, we are all on a renewing transformation. Quit thinking that this is a book for information—this is a book of transformation.

 

“This Word can change your life”—Pastor Billy Johnson

Verse 45. “That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

 

God says, “I am blessing you before you deserve it.” He doesn’t make you do right before He does good for you. The very nature of God is good to all. Don’t wait for people to be so deserving of your credit—give it to them before. We wait and give our best to the best. God gives His best to the worst, so they can become the best.

“God doesn’t make you do right before He does good for you.”—Pastor Billy Johnson

 

Deuteronomy 19:21

Leviticus 24:19-20

If you only respond to those difficult situations as the world responds, there is no difference—there should be a distinction. A soft answer turns away wrath. If it is possible, as much as it depends on you—live peaceably with all men. If you try to get revenge for yourself, you move God out. God can do better! God is redemptive and He will make sure the situation works out right. Love is a choice, not a feeling.

Romans 12:14,17-18

“We love our enemy because it shows who our Father is—His DNA is in us.”—Pastor Billy Johnson