Good morning. You have
heard that it was said “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for tooth”. But I say to
you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also. Sometimes I like to imagine scenes in the Bible.
Perhaps you have imagined this one yourself. Imagine that you are standing
face-to-face with someone and they slap you on the right cheek. I read
somewhere that this means slapping with the back of the hand. This actually
makes sense. In order for them to slap you with the palm of their hand, they
would have to slap you with their left hand (Picture that in your mind). That's
not impossible, but only 10% of the world is left-handed – so it's not very
likely. So let's assume they slap you with the back of their right hand
(Picture that). Now imagine turning your head slightly to the right so that
your left cheek is facing them. It is now impossible for them to slap you with
the back of the right-hand (of course they could punch your lights out). Most
likely they will be startled and confused. It is even possible it will diffuse
the entire situation. I'll let you try it first and let me know what happens.
You have heard that it was said “you shall love your neighbor, and hate your
enemy”. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute
you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. That's very
tough to do. We want to get back at them, not love them. Who knows – it may
work like turning the other cheek. You may even one day become good friends.
Father thank You that the reader walks in love, praying for those who come
against him/her. He/she is a shining light to those in the world. Was that a leprechaun
I just saw run by 😊
Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me
Good morning. Paul then gives a list of a lot of things that he has gone through as an apostle. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. There could be many people that you listen to either in church or through the Internet or other means; but there was only one person (as a general rule it was a person) that lead you to Christ. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. He was saying that just like a child imitates his or her father, they were to imitate him. He says that again seven chapters later. Since it is easy to forget some things about people we have not seen in a while, Paul says that he sent Timothy to them to remind them of his ways which are in Christ, just as he taught everywhere in every church. Some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. I shall find ou...
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