Christian Counter-Culture: The Message of the Sermon on the Mount (John Stott) Part 7

 I think this section is really important and part of its importance lies in its emphasis on interpersonal relationships. Jesus isn't talking about government or other groups, He's talking about individuals and how we treat each other.

In particular, the note about praying for people even if we don't like them reminds me of a story I heard (or read, I don't recall) when I was a teenager, of a woman who was appalled by Madonna's music and exhibitionism. And so she started praying for Madonna. At first it was kind of begrudging, like "God, I know I'm supposed to pray for this person but I don't wanna but please bless her anyhow," and after a while of daily prayer, it was very much out of love, like "God, please be with Madonna and turn her heart. Show her where she's gone wrong and help her come to You." Prayer changed her heart, even if nothing changed for Madonna.

And so I try to do that. I try to pray for people I don't like. I try to treat everyone with love, as God would have me do. I don't always succeed, because I'm human, but the intent is there, and intent matters.

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"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 an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5.38-48 (NRSV)

Notes from my HarperCollins Study Bible

• Proportional retaliation was okay; Jesus said nope.
• Coat = clothes; cloak = jacket.
• "Love your enemies" was a known thing.
• Perfect = whole, complete, mature.
• Voluntary poverty, following Jesus.

A Christian's righteousness: non-retaliation and active love.

Passive non-retaliation.

• Law of Moses both civil and moral.
• Quote is instruction for judges, not for the general public. Compensation to victims is meant to be equal. If the perpetrator having the same done to him will do nothing to help the injured party, then alternatives must be found.
• Pharisees were trying to justify personal revenge. That is the opposite of what was meant.
• Personal relationships ought not be governed by legal restrictions.
• No revenge allowed.
• Return good for evil; give more than is asked.
• The only limit to our generosity should be based on love.
• True love = caring for both the individual and society.
• Requires action.

The fact that the state has been instituted by God does not preserve it from abusing its power and becoming a tool of Satan. (p.110)

• State has different duties & functions from the individual.
• Vengeance is not for us to exact, it is of God.
• Take care of your enemies.
• Justice = good. Vigilantism = not good.
• Personal attitude of mercy, not justice.

"Hate multiplies hate. in a descending spiral of violence" and is "just as injurious to the person who hates" as to his victim. (Martin Luther King Jr) (p.114)

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend" for it has "creative" and "redemptive" power. (MLK Jr) (p.114)

Active love.

• Interpretation is "I only have to love my neighbour; strangers aren't included so hating enemies is fine actually."
• WRONG!
• Ignores instructions to leave gleanings for the poor and for travelers/non-locals, and to treat strangers who are passing through as if they are locals.
• Also ignores instructions to return lost belongings and to be hospitable to outsiders.
• True love = service, not sentiment.
• Practical, humble, sacrificial
• Words can express love, both in how we address others and how we address God on their behalf.
• Chrysostom: 9 ascending steps.

1. Do not do evil.
2. Do not avenge evil.
3. Be quiet.
4. Suffer wrongfully.
5. Surrender extra to the evildoer.
6. Do not hate enemies.
7. Love enemies.
8. Do good for enemies.
9. Pray for enemies.

• Begin to pray even while we dislike people; no good to wait until we feel love for them!
• Prayer can nurture love.
• It is only through loving our enemies that we prove our faith.
• Common grace = love shown equally to good and bad people; saving grace = how we can believe, repent, and be saved.
• Creation is an expression of God's common grace.
• All people are capable of love.
• All human love is tainted by self-interest.
• We ought to do more than non-believers.
• Be peculiar, extraordinary, unusual in our love (actions).

"The cross is the differential of the Christian religion." (Bonhoeffer)

• Perfection here is about love, not who we are.
• Go beyond refusing to return evil for evil: return good instead.
• Retaliation is the way of the world (bad ↦ bad, good ↦ good).
• Overcome evil with good instead.

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The challenge here is a big one. It's not enough to simply pray for others, not enough to simply avoid retaliating when others wrong us. Human nature is to seek revenge, to hold the needy in contempt, to enjoy watching nasty people get their comeuppance.

We are meant to fight our natural inclinations.

Brother Juniper was a companion of Francis of Assisi, and he took all of this to the next level. My favourite story about him is how he'd been told by his superiors to stop giving his clothing away to people when he was out and about, so when he met someone who needed clothes he told the man that he couldn't give him his tunic, but he wouldn't stop him from taking it!

While it is important to consider personal safety and well-being, I think we (as Christians) need to be more serious about this aspect of our faith. My father, like his father before him, is someone who is known in his community as a person who will always help the needy in whatever way he can. He has been known to give hungry people a sandwich, to offer bus tickets to people who just need to get somewhere, and to drive homeless folks to a shelter if it's close to the cutoff for the night. He is also a great listener and often has good advice, grounded in Godly wisdom. My grandfather used to let people sleep in his house if they had nowhere else.

It's harder these days to give cash to those in need because our society is so used to using electronics for everything. Even bus tickets can be hard to come by, as some places don't use paper tickets or cash anymore, instead having cards that you can recharge.

But you know, doing what you can is important. I recall once giving a woman some cash on my way to buy groceries, after she approached me in the parking lot. She was just trying to get enough for a bus home or something I think, but I had a $20 on me so I gave her that and she met me outside when I was done my shopping; she'd waited to tell me that she used part of the money to get a nice meal at a nearby restaurant and had enough to get a bus home. She was so surprised and grateful for my gift that she used it well and wanted to tell me that she'd done so.

I know that some people who are begging us for help are grifters, and it can be so difficult to want to help people when we're worried that we might be scammed. But I think, as Christians, it's important to assume that if someone is asking then the need is real. I also think that it's okay to be sensible about our giving. We all have expenses, and if it makes more sense to have a set amount that we give to charity and then not carry cash for people on the street, that's fine. Sometimes people really need an ear, so it's worth offering to take someone for a meal or a coffee and a chat.

Let's move on to other things we might encounter. It can be so hard to treat others with respect when we know that they're being jerks to us or about us, but I think it's important to do so. Don't stoop to their level; rise above it. But don't just lie down and take it. You're allowed to stand up for yourself. But do it without resorting to personal insults and whatnot; that's neither respectful nor loving. And if things don't improve, stop putting yourself in that position. Get a new job, find new friends, etc. But also continue to pray for the people who were mistreating you, because they obviously need it.

I'm not great at any of this, but I am trying. That's part of the Becoming for me, and I'm sure it is for you, as well.

Peace & Blessings.