Having Your Rights Read In God's Kingdom
#16 Sermon on the Mount 10/14/90
Text: Matt. 5:38-41 E.B.C.
HAVING YOUR RIGHTS READ IN GOD'S KINGDOM
A. The battle cry of the 80's and these early 90's must be "give us our rights" - Human rights, civil rights, women's rights, children's rights, animal rights, property rights, worker's rights, prisoner's rights, and a host of other rights.
B. The selfishness which motivates much of these demands can be confusing at times. Some will fight for the right to teach their children at home while others, even in the same school district, will fight just as adamantly for the right to have their child taught at school. Some are so adamant regarding their personal rights they even reserve the right to be wrong. Like President Bush who, when running for election, stated, "Read my lips, no! tax increase during my administration" and then later defended a tax increase by stating, "I reserve the right to change my mind."
C. Although demands for personal rights is the norm today, there are times we don't want to hear about our rights. When I was much younger than I am now, I used to stay up late to watch that fascinating late night cop show "Hiawii 5-O". They always seemed to get their man and every show would end with those famous words, "Book him, Danial." That is the one time our rights seem to be taken seriously, when we are arrested. Our rights, in such a case, are guaranteed by the law of the land of our citizenship.
D. But I wonder what the reading of our rights would sound like for our citizenship in God's kingdom? Would we have the right to remain silent, or the right to a lawyer? Would anything we say or do be used against us? Or, do we have any rights at all under God's rule?
I. THE PRINCIPLE OF GOD'S LAW STATED (V. 38).
A. Imagine yourself being arrested in God's kingdom. You wonder what will happen to you now. The arresting officer begins to read you your rights, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth!" There is a pause. "That's it," you say. "What does this mean?
B. That little statement tells you at least three things about the principle of God's law. First, it tells you that God is just. Whatever punishment will come your way will be equal to, but will not exceed, the crime you committed. Remember Exodus 21:23-25? "...you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise" (Ex. 21:23-25).
C. The second thing you learn is that God's law is merciful. While under God's law you will be punished, the punishment will be merciful in that you will be protected from those who would wish to meet out retribution far beyond what the offense deserved.
D. Thirdly, you also realize that in God's rule of law there are no death squads or vigilante groups. Rather God's law is judicially applied. Keep in mind that every time the "eye for an eye" principle is described in the Pentateuch it always has to do with the civil justice system and is never given to individuals to administer. That is why God said, "Vengeance is Mine, and retribution" (Deut. 32:35). So often, we would love to help God out with this job, wouldn't we? Okay, so far you seem to be in pretty good, hearing your rights read under God's law isn't that bad, right? Wrong!
II. THE PRINCIPLE OF GOD'S LAW PERVERTED (v. 38).
A. Just when you thought things would work out just right for you, along come several so-called religious advisors. They seem to be well respected by everyone for their extreme piety. But to your horror, you discover they are no friends of yours. For they know just how to twist the law to their advantage so that you will be punished according to how they would like - they want to make themselves look good at your expense. Sad for you, and for all of us, for the principle of God's law has been perverted and has been turned into license for individuals to gain personal vengeance. You discover that, over the years, evil men all over this land have forced their evil intentions upon people by doing with God's law what was never intended. But if you think this is bad, wait till you hear the rest of the story.
III. THE PRINCIPLE OF GOD'S LAW APPLIED (v. 39-42)
A. As suddenly as these religious advisors appeared they disappear again and you are left alone in the grasp of the arresting officer. What he had begun to say he now continues, "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 him who is evil;" As these words enter your ears a great sorrow and shock ravages your body for these words could have only one meaning to you as an individual. While your rights in the court of the land may be well protected, your personal rights, as a special servant of the king, do not exist. For example, you could not return punishment against those evil religious advisors who wished to exploit the law against you.
B. Amidst your confusion, the arresting officer is speaking again, "But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you."
1. You understand what he is saying all too well. When someone insults your dignity by slapping you you are to turn so that he might further insult you by striking you on the other cheek. But this only seems unjust until you remember something one of the Apostles said about Jesus, the son of the king who died that you could have citizenship in God's kingdom. He said that you had been called to suffer for God "since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 'Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:21-23).
2. Its all beginning to make sense to you now. In God's kingdom, not only must you be willing to loose your dignity, but also your right to security. While in the court of the land, should you be so poor as to have to pay your suitor with your own clothing, you were never obligated to give up your coat because often it served as your blanket at night as well. It was your single means of security. But a citizen of God's kingdom, as you are, should be willing even to become insecure for Jesus'sake.
3. Not only is your dignity and your security at stake, but your right to liberty of movement is in danger as well. Any oppressing army soldier could ask any citizen of the oppressed land to have his gear carried for the distance of a mile whether it suited the person or not, but God's rule asks you to be willing even to carry it an extra mile. If, giving up your liberty, allows you to give testimony for your Lord you can be encouraged that the freedom you have in Him far outlasts any so-called freedom that this world cannot give.
4. Finally, the words of the arresting officer alert you to the fact that even the right to your personal property is not assured. When someone comes in genuine need and asks to borrow from you you are to be generous with what you have.
C. As you hear your rights, or lack there of, in God's kingdom read to you rather than holding a press conference decrying the loss of your personal rights you quietly pause to reflect. As you are doing this, a small soothing voice speaks to your heart. It says, "The only person who is nondefensive, nonvengeful, never bears a grudge, and has no spite in his heart is the person who has died to self. Are you willing to do this for me?"
CONCLUSION
A. As these words are still reverberating through your mind your thoughts go back to two verses of Scripture you thought you had long forgotten. Romans 14:7,8, "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord. or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
B. Now you realize what it is that God wished for you to learn through this experience. Suddenly a multitude of Biblical examples come to your mind. Like Abraham when he gave the best land to his nephew Lot. Like Joseph when he embraced and kissed his brothers who had so terribly wronged him. Like David who did not take advantage of the opportunity of taking Saul's life, who was seeking to take his. Like the prophet Elisha who feed the enemy army of Assyria. It was like Stephan who, as he was being stoned to death, prayed for those who were stoning him.
C. You fall to your knees, joy flooding your heart, and you clasp your hands in prayer, uttering humbly these few words: "Thank you God, for finding me worthy to suffer for you because thereby I know for certain that I am your child and a citizen of heaven."