This study was first taught on May 12, 2010

Topic: God’s Standard for Living With Others (1)

No audio available for this study.

---

Background
Last week, we saw that God’s standard for oath taking is, “Do not swear ahead of time what you may not be able to fulfill.” [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance]. We noted that the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines ‘forswear’ as used in the KJV as taking “an oath to fulfill an event before the event occurs, yet being unable to fulfill the vow when the event does happen.” We said that since we don’t know what may happen in the period between when the oath is taken and when it is to be performed, Christians are admonished not to swear at all, and definitely not by anything that they do not have control over, which is pretty much everything: heaven, earth, Jerusalem, your life, the life of someone else, including that of your child, and time. In straight forward terms, the message was, “do not make vows!” If, however, you make a vow, or have made a vow in the past, please do not delay to perform it. Talk to God about it and ask for His help in performing your oath or fulfilling your vow or promise.

Oath taking includes swearing-in for political appointees, signing Guarantor Forms, signing bank Loan forms, and civil oaths, such as, Age Declaration, Affidavits, testifying in court, etc. All such oaths must be truthfully taken and promptly discharged, even at the cost of ones life! For this reason, Christians must listen carefully, and not be hasty to make commitments. We must literally, first sit down to count the cost (and even sleep over matters) before making promises. Oath taking, even as an elected officer or a political appointee, must be taken seriously, lest you sin against God, when you are found to be unable to perform what you had sworn to.

We concluded that as Christians, our disposition to oath taking, vows, and making promises should be: (a) listen carefully, (b) think deeply, and (c) tread cautiously, before uttering any word, or making any commitment in writing. And if you must speak, let your words be few and relevant. Most times, a simple “Yes” or “No” is all that is needful.

We observed that non-performance of oaths and vows is a sure way of losing our place in God’s presence. God Himself does not say things that He is unable or unwilling to do. This is why we have such confidence in His word; for we know that if He says it, it is done! And if we are indeed His children, then our word should be our bond, no matter the intervening circumstance.

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 5:38-47
Our scripture text tells us how we are to relate with others in the environment in which we live or work. It tells us what not to do on one hand, and what to do on the other hand. For the next few weeks, we shall consider these issues as “God’s Standard for Living With Others”
The first in this mini-series is how we are to treat people who cause us harm. May the Holy Spirit help us to imbibe and live out God’s standards, as we study tonight, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Exodus 21:22-36; Leviticus 24:17-22; Deuteronomy 19:21; Leviticus 19:18; Romans 12:17-21; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Hebrews 12:14; Proverbs 20:22; 24:29; 1 Peter 2:18-23; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 1 Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:12-18; Matthew 18:15-35; Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32; Philippians 2:14-15.

Conclusion
In this first installment on God’s standard for living with others, we are admonished not to retaliate or avenge ourselves; rather, we are to forgive those who offend us; and forbear with those who oppress us and cause us harm. The simple rule for believers is do not pay back those who hurt you evil for evil; and do not fight back those who oppress you.

The essence of ‘an eye for an eye’ is for us to avoid other people’s eye on one hand; and to leave the matter of justice with the judiciary, on the other hand. We are not to take matters into our own hands and engage in extra-judicial punishment on the offender. ‘An eye for an eye’ was also intended to help judges make righteous judgments such that the punishment fits the crime. The Christian should see God as his Judge, and not take matters before human courts. Where a matter needs to be resolved, the church is the best place to get that justice. We must seek peace in every situation, as much as is possible.

While forbearance is our disposition to those who cause us harm, we are nonetheless not to give room to the devil and his demons, not even for a moment. Rather, we are to totally resist them. Thus, the Christian engages in battle against the devil and his demons spiritually; but physically, he is meek and humble towards human beings (Matthew 10:16). Indeed, as we resist the devil, he flees from us, and we are better able to deal with hurt from people.

The anti-dote for retaliation, retribution and revenge is forgiveness and forbearance. We are to always remember that we are sinners who have received God’s forgiveness and so, we should dispense doses of forgiveness to those who offend us. God’s message is that Christians should reflect His own forbearance with man, and live peaceably with others, as much as lies within them.

---

Back to all Bible Study Outline List