Responding With Grace

Introduction: What kind of lens do you see people when they do you wrong? Who do you see as the enemy? Someone often asks, “How can I come out on top.” Do you ever ask yourself, “Is there some way God can receive glory from this moment of conflict?” Or, “What way could I respond that would allow for the best possible outcome for both parties? If we are endeavoring to live like our Savior, then we must understand how and why we can respond with grace to those that sometimes don’t deserve it.

1) The Believer’s Response

A. When tempted with retaliation

Resisting evil can be carried out in two different ways:

Running away in the opposite direction.

Retaliating

Rom 12:17-19 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. [18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. [19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Jesus commands us to “not resist” evil. (Not saying it’s okay for you to commit sin, but rather don’t take that moment to feed but follow the Lord; don’t rob God of glory)

The culture says, “take your life and get what you want” Jesus says, “I gave you my life, you belong to me.”

Jesus provides us with a few examples:

When people smite you

Let’s be honest, a slap in the face has been a highly provocative insult throughout history.

Jesus was not saying, “literally turn your others cheek, but rather choose not to repay their evil with your own.

Jesus is our best example: Jesus could have hurled his enemies into Hell fire, but His chose a life of restraint for the purpose of the Fathers glory.

This does not mean we always passively suffer the assault of the assassin, bully, or the thief.

We turn the other cheek when the interest of Christ’s kingdom demands it.

When people sue you

Inner garment = (tunic) robe-like worn next to skin.

Outer garment = (cloak) protect from the weather.

Sense = justifiable lawsuits ( Example: enormous debt and not able to pay)

Jesus is saying, don’t just give half you owe and swindle out of the rest, but rather take the position of beggaring yourself, not bankrupting yourself

Not merely legal grounds, but moral grounds; law of love; working fingers to the bone to pay them back.

When people seize you

Have you every heard the phrase “draft dogger?” Someone trying to dodge the call to serve those in authority over you.

Today’s mentality is to perform civil disobedience; strikes and confrontation; defiance for authority.

I urge Christian families to teach their children how to honor God while respecting authority!!!

On a simpler note: young people need to understand that God is requiring

When people supplicate you

Hebrews were only obligated to lend money when it was charitable purposes / not interest charged / debts given in seven years. (legislation for charity)

The Christian’s charitableness is not governed by “law” but rather by “love.”

Believers should be eager to relieve the wants and woes of the less fortunate.

The advent ushered out the law mandate and replaced it with the love mandate.

Rom 12:20-21 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

B. When tempted to hate your enemies

What kind of people would they be?

Those who speak into your life by way of person insults.

Those you curse you, hate you, despitefully use you and persecute you.

Jesus mandates the kind of response you should have toward those kinds of people.

Jesus calls the believer to “love” their enemy: bless them, do good to them and pray for them.

Quote: “Since Christian love is an act of the will, and not simply an emotion, He has the right to command us to love our enemies.” (Warren Wiersbe)

Example: Jesus loved you when you were an enemy!!!

It is easier to love your enemy when you are praying for them. It takes the poison out of your attitude.

2) The Believer’s Identity (answering why)

A. You are a child of the Father

Notice how the Father responds to saints and sinners (v45)

You are the product of the person of the Father. What kind of product is that?

You are born-again

Darkness to light

Death to life

Bankrupt to wealth

wrath to mercy and grace

weakness to strength

Without hope to hope secured

Matthew speaks first hand about the Publicans.

They were the lowest of the low.

They were greedy always looking for a way to comfort themselves with worldly things.

Illustration: Marquis de Lafayette was a French officer who provided invaluable assistance to George Washington and the struggling American army. After the war was over, he returned to France and resumed his life as a farmer of many estates. In 1783, the harvest was a terrible one, and there were many who suffered as a result. Lafayette’s farms were unaffected by the devastating crop failures. One of his workers offered what seemed to be good advice to Lafayette, “The bad harvest has raised the price of wheat. This is the time to sell.” After thinking about the hungry peasants in the surrounding villages, Lafayette disagreed and said, “No, this is the time to give.” God blesses us not just for our own benefit, but also so that we can be a blessing to others in need. The tendency to hoard and try to build up more and more is a dangerous one, and the best antidote to greed is to be a generous giver. There is certainly no shortage of people in need today, and while we cannot meet every need, if we do what we can, God will multiply resources so that it is enough.

B. Satan is your enemy

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The greatest victory Satan can win is to fool you to think the instruments he uses against you are your enemy.

Satan’s primary weapon against you are people.

To miss identify the enemy is to rob God of His glory.

God gets glory when you chose to love people instead of fighting with them.

Any victory that comes from fighting is a victory or “war” not of “peace.”

3) The Believer’s Reward

A. Who receives rewards

What is the purpose of a reward?

Meaning = the operation of reward ranges from the consequences resulting from dealings between people to God’s compensation for obedience or disobedience, from the consequences of actions felt in this life to divine recompense in the life to come. (Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1855). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.)

Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

When a believer lives outside of their identity, they forfeit heavenly rewards.

When a believer lives outside of the identity, they leave the pew, rob God and lose interest in winning the lost.

Lastly, notice what Jesus commanded the believer to do: “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

Completeness, maturity.

The Father loves His enemies and seeks to make them His children. Will you be respond to people in a way that God can use your words and works to drawn them to Him?

Conclusion: When you run or retaliate the devil wins, but God wins when you respond with grace. Who’s side are you on? Do you care more about winning or succeeding? There is a difference: Winning can be the result of doing “whatever” it takes to come out on top; Succeeding is someone who does what is right.

Believer: You are a spiritual winner all because Jesus followed the will of the Father. Will you follow Jesus’ example when evil treatment comes your way?

Unbeliever: You have no future hope in your current position. Jesus responded to your lost condition by providing “grace” so you might therefore have hope beyond this life. Will you respond to the grace Jesus is offering you today?