Leviticus 12:1-2, 9-18; 1 Corinthians 3:10-23; Matthew 5:38-48
It’s interesting to hear people who don’t know much about the Bible quote something from the Bible. They often accurately quote the words that are found in the Bible. But almost as often, they quote the words out of context or apply them in an inappropriate way. When they do, it’s likely that they are trying to justify themselves in some way. It seems that, even though many don’t believe the Bible, people still desire to have the Bible back up their words, actions, or motives — even if to do so they have to wrongly apply what they quote.
One good example of this is “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” This passage is often used to justify taking revenge on a person who has done something to hurt another. The victim of this wrong wants to even the score and finds this passage useful for this. But Jesus makes it clear that this passage was never intended for this purpose. It does not justify personal vengeance, but was given to move the matter of justice out of the hands of individuals and into the realm of civic government. It actually prohibits revenge by taking the right to justice and punishment away from us. In contrast to the way people try to use this passage, Jesus tells us that instead of seeking revenge, we are not to “resist the one who is evil.” Instead, we are endure injustice, unfairness, and even personal loss as a witness of Christ to those who have harmed us.
Another passage that is often rightly quoted and wrongly applied is Jesus’ statement to “be perfect as Your Heavenly Father is perfect.” In response to this impossible standard for us, there are Christians who argue that Jesus would never demand something of us that we could not do. They conclude that it is within our ability to be perfect, to be without sin. But the perfection to which Jesus calls us is intentionally beyond our ability. Wrongly understanding and applying this moves us away from God’s grace and focuses us on what we do rather than what God has done for us. It makes God’s gift into our work. It robs us of the holiness and righteousness that Christ has secured for us with His blood and given to us by grace through faith.
God does not want you to be foolish or to be fooled. He has given you His Spirit so that you could both know His Word and rightly apply it. When you are wise in His Word you will not find fear, condemnation, need for vengeance, or lack of holiness, but the assurance that you are holy and perfect in God’s sight because “all things are yours” in Christ.
Click here to listen to the sermon "Rightly Quoted, Wrongly Applied" (or right-click to download the MP3 file).
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