But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 5:39
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Job in trying to understand why evil has befallen him stated:
Job 31:29-30 If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: 30 Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
He did not wish evil upon those that hated him.
Proverbs 24:17-18 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
It has to do with loving others as yourself.
Luke 6:27-31 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
When reading Matthew 5 it must be taken into consideration that Jesus is speaking to OT Jews expecting the restoration of the kingdom of Israel; the kingdom of heaven. This will take place in the millennium. No new birth has taken place, there are no Christians, no Gentiles. The second coming is hot on the heels of the first coming up until Israel rejects its King and Messiah. Everything from Acts 7 to Philemon had not and did not have to come.
Some of the principles of Matthew 5 carry over as far as doing unto others as you would have done to you, not recompensing evil for evil, etc.
Salvation is of the Jews.
John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
It was the Jews who were to take the gospel to all nations being persecuted along the way.
Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
It was the OT prophecies of the coming King and kingdom that were being fulfilled.
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