Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭38‬-‭48‬ 
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? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Sometimes the best moves in life are a matter of perspective. I love the scene in The Patriot, where the American colonies are fighting against the British (called RedCoats), in the final battle scene of the movie. The British see the American Colony troops retreating. Without waiting for an order from the General, the leader of the Dragoons (the British name for the Cavalry) comes into the battle from the side and tries to go in for the kill and the glory. The General says: “Darn that man! We shall see who gets the glory when this day is done.”

What ended up happening was the American colony troops had split forces and half of them were hiding on the other side of the hill. When the first half retreated back, they laid down in front of the second half, who had their weapons ready and got off the first volley of rounds into the British troops. The Americans won this battle, though vastly outnumbered.

As I think about the temptation to repay evil for evil, Jesus had a few reasons to clarify this law. First, he wanted his followers to be humble and kind, not brutal and violent. And second, he had great plans for them.  God always has great plans for us. If we go off “half-cocked”, without waiting for God to call us to action, we circumvent his winning strategy and may lose the spiritual battle we are waging.

God sees this from a much wider perspective than we do. He orchestrates people to meet and interact with others in precise timing to accomplish his will and, many times, to draw them into saving grace.  

So we can look at these commands in a different light. What if, instead of focusing on paying people back, I didn’t get distracted from God’s call on my life? What if I waited for his lead and saw his glory revealed? It would be incredible.

So obedience to God is good because God is righteous.  But it is also our wisest and smartest decision, because God sees what we cannot see at the time and he has better plans for us that we do for ourselves.

Thank you, Lord, for helping me see that following your ways always turns out better than me taking charge and going for what I think is fair and right. Lord, give me patience and perseverance to wait on you, I pray!