Honesty and Meekness

One of the big misconceptions is that if people are good enough and obey God’s commands, they will be saved.  Romans 3:19-20 contradicts that belief.  “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”  The purpose of the Law was not to show how to be saved, but to make people aware that they had gone too far.  It’s like a fifteen mile an hour speed limit in a school zone.    While there may not be any kids in the way, if you exceed the limit, you are still breaking the law and may receive a ticket because the maximum speed allowed is fifteen miles an hour through that zone.  It really doesn’t matter whether you think a higher speed would be safe or not, you are still breaking the law if you go faster, and when kids are present even that may be too fast.  The law established the maximum limit, but what is actually required is much different. 

In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus used the example of making promises and taking an oath to convince people of one’s sincerity.   “Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” 

In our day there is lot of emphasis on having a document notarized and witnessed to probe that one means to keep his promise, and people still try to wiggle out of fulfilling the obligation.  Under the law, they were required to fulfill their contract, but Jesus said the standard is much stricter than that.  There should be no need for such an oath or contract, but just a simple promise should be enough.  We have little or no control over what we try to door the things we might base our oath, so we ought not use them.  The very act of swearing or signing a contract implies we are not committed to keeping our promise or that we do not trust the other person.  We need to remember that Revelation 21:8 says, “…all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”  It doesn’t matter whether you signed a contract or took an oath or not.  You are still obligated to do what you said.   

  Under Roman law, soldiers and law officers were permitted to use physical force against those who opposed them, and were permitted to force a person to carry their equipment or take his coat for their own use within certain limits.    Under Jewish law, a person had the right to be recompensed for any loss they might suffer, and the Jews regularly took offense when people ignored their rights.  In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus said they should not insist on getting their rights.  “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 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.  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.”

Insisting on one’s rights and opposing the injustices would cause even more conflict between the two cultures., and the Romans ruled over Israel.  Ecclesiastes 10:4  tells us yielding can reduce those conflicts.  “If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. “    While it doesn’t always solve the problem, we can trust God to take care of it if they don’t back off.  Romans 12:18-21 instructs us, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  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.  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”  

Jesus continued along the same line in Matthew 5:43-48.  “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” 

People tend to react in the same way they are treated.  By treating those who do like us in a kind and friendly manner, we can often change their attitude toward us, no matter how far gone and wicked we may consider them.   God treats all people equally,, and if we want to be like him we will need to do the same.  Instead of demanding they respect our rights, we need to respect theirs.  When we do, we increase the likelihood they will respect ours.  Unfortunately some people will not respect other peoples rights anyway.   This does not mean we just lay down and let them walk all over us.   As Romans 12:18 said, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. “  We need to make the effort, but if they refuse we are not obligated to give them everything they demand.  At the same time, we must not be selfish if we wish to please God.