LOVE'S ETHICS

Matthew 5:38–42 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Main Idea: God desires for his children to base their ethics on love and not the law.

Key Question: Do you look for opportunities to demonstrate God’s love?

1. Love’s Ethics: No self-honor (v. 38-39)

Matthew 5:38–39 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

1 Peter 2:20–23 NKJV

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

1 pet 2:20-23

2. Love’s Ethics: No entitlement (v. 40)

Matthew 5:40 NKJV

If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.

Exodus 22:26 NKJV

If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down.

James 4:6 NKJV

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

3. Love’s Ethics: No minimum (v. 41)

Matthew 5:41 NKJV

And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

1 Corinthians 6:7–8 NKJV

Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!

4. Love’s Ethics: No stinginess (v. 42)

Matthew 5:42 NKJV

Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

1 John 3:16–18 NKJV

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Hebrews 13:16 NKJV

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.