Oaths, Retaliation & Enemy Love

UPSIDE DOWN: JESUS & THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT Week 5 – Oaths, Retaliation and Enemy Love He had tried to build bridges between the Muslims and Christians in his village. It was all I could do to find any love for such hate-filled terrorists—or to pray for them. The gift of salvation is freely given. To be transformed into the image of Jesus is costly. “…that Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, will be more fully formed in us. In Jesus’ Name, amen.” Matthew 5:33–37 “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ But I say to you, make no oath at all… But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes,’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of the evil one.” Matthew 12:36–37 “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Kingdom speech is powerful in its simplicity and refreshing in its clarity. 1 Samuel 3:19 “And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.” Proverbs 18:21 “The power of life and death is in the tongue.” James 3:8–11 “The tongue… is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men… From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.” Before we speak, we need to check in with the Holy Spirit. Amen? Matthew 5:38–42 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye…’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person… turn the other cheek… go the second mile… give to him who asks of you.” Walter Wink wrote: “‘Turn the other cheek’ suggests the passive, Christian doormat image. ‘Resist not evil’ seems to crush opposition and encourage submission. ‘Go the second mile’ becomes a platitude. But Jesus never acted this way. The misunderstanding lies not with Jesus, but with our interpretation.” The Bible is a cultural translation, not just a linguistic one. Jesus offers a way to oppose evil without mirroring it—without losing your dignity or self-worth. Matthew 5:43–48 “You have heard… ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good… Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” “Hate your enemy” may have been a common phrase, but it’s not biblical. Scripture makes that clear: Job 31:29–30 “Have I rejoiced at the extinction of my enemy…? No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life in a curse.” Proverbs 25:21–22 “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread… if thirsty, water… for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Last Friday, Islamic terrorists attacked a worship service in Yaribori, Nigeria, killing Pastor Emmanuel Na’allah and a recent convert, and abducting a woman. Reverend Emmanuel Na’allah “Bring Your enemies to repentance—or render them incapable of harming Your people. In Jesus’ Name, SAVE. Amen.” Matthew 5:43–48 (repeated for emphasis) “…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Jesus was perfect, but not obsessive. He doesn’t call us to be neurotic or self-condemning. R.V.G. Tasker: "Perfection refers to uprightness and sincerity of character. While sinless perfection is impossible, godliness is attainable." Maturity isn’t about age alone. How do we grow into Christ? Two words: Press on. Hosea 6:3 “So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord…” Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained it… but I press on…” Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity…”