Think on These Things Thursday

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Matthew 5:38-42

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 cloke 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.

It is so easy to get frustrated with people and to be unkind to them. However, if we remember that we are nothing by servants of God and put away our pride, we would probably be less likely to get bent out of shape. If someone truly is unkind, we are to take the high rode, and NOT stoop to their level.

The portion of this passage that talks about if you are compelled to go a mile, go with him two is referring to when Roman soldiers would tell a Jew to carry their belongings. By law they only had to carry it one mile. Jesus is saying to love our neighbor (even if they are occupying your country) and to go the extra mile, literally. This would be quite a sacrifice. Instead of going two miles out of your way (one with the soldier, then returning), you would now have to go 4 miles out of your way. If Jesus told the Jewish people to do this for a Roman soldier, I think that He would expect us to be kind and go the extra mile for others in our lives.

We also need to remember that anything we have belongs to the Lord, so if someone needs to borrow it, we should allow them to. After all, our belongings are God's. He will take care of it. If He doesn't, then we either didn't need it or He has something better in store for us. Having said that, I DO think that we should be good stewards of our belongings. I don't volunteer my belongings to others who do not take care of their own things or tend to lose their belongings like I would someone who takes care of their belongings. I do usually loan things to people if they have a true need, even if I don't really trust them and count on God to take care of it. :o)