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High Road ChristianityMatthew 5:38-41 “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.” What do we gather from the teachings of our Lord in these verses? First, we are asked by Jesus to forfeit our lawful right to retaliate. No doubt this would limit added violence instead of encouraging it. I heard a preacher once say in a sermon that true forgiveness is when you give up your right to retaliate. Next we are taught that if a man sue you and is awarded your inner garment, then also give him your outer garment. When Rome governed all Israel by law they could ask any Jew to carry their belongings for a mile. Jesus said, if they ask for a mile give them two miles. Would you consider yourself to be a second mile Christian? This type of Christian living is what I call high road Christianity. High road Christianity is doing more than what is just required. For example; in giving, why stop at 10%? Why give a man the other cheek? Why give him your cloke also? Why go the extra mile? Why do more than what might even be required by the law of God? Because of what Jesus said earlier in this sermon. Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”