“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:38-48
“And concerning our being patient of injuries, and ready to serve all, and free from anger, this is what He said: “To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak or coat, forbid not. And whosoever shall be angry, is in danger of the fire. And every one that compelleth thee to go with him a mile, follow him two. And let your good works shine before men, that they, seeing them, may glorify your Father which is in heaven.” For we ought not to strive; neither has He desired us to be imitators of wicked men, but He has exhorted us to lead all men, by patience and gentleness, from shame and the love of evil. And this indeed is proved in the case of many who once were of your way of thinking, but have changed their violent and tyrannical disposition, being overcome either by the constancy which they have witnessed in their neighbors’ lives, or by the extraordinary forbearance they have observed in their fellow travellers when defrauded, or by the honesty of those with whom they have transacted business.”
Justin Martyr (c.100-c.165) in First Apology 16 entitled “Concerning Patience and Swearing” (Roberts-Donaldson English Translation).
I had one of those light bulb moments today as, for the third day in a row in exploring the link between ‘neighbor’ and ‘generosity’ in early church writings I saw the term ‘imitator’ used. Here was my realization.
Few of the Christians in the early church had access to any portions of Scripture. So how would they know how to live? They would hear the teachings of the apostles passed on to them and imitate their teachers.
Justin Martyr encourages us to obey the teachings of Jesus because it can really have an impact on others. The lost can be won by the constancy, the extraordinary forbearance, and the honesty of a neighbor.
Think now of a neighbor who does not know Jesus. Would they say you generously exhibit constancy, extraordinary forbearance, and the honesty? If not, double down. If so, stay the course. Why? You may be the only Jesus they see.
Love your neighbor. Kill them with kindness, constancy, extraordinary forbearance, and honesty.