Free Essay

Mathew

In:

Submitted By pbears53
Words 935
Pages 4
Running head: FAITH INTEGRATION PAPER 1

Mathew 5:44

Patrick Fries

ASB 1098 – BIL 102
March 3, 2012

I have read and understand the plagiarism policy as outlined in the syllabus and the sections in the Student Catalog relating to the IWU Honesty/Cheating Policy. By affixing this statement to the title page of my paper, I certify that I have not cheated or plagiarized in the process of completing this assignment. If it is found that cheating and/or plagiarism did take place in the writing of this paper, I understand the possible consequences of the act/s, which could include expulsion from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Mathew 5:44 2

Few tasks an person faces are more emotionally or mentally challenging than that of managing conflict. And yet, conflict is a fact of life in this world, so it’s crucial that all people learn how to manage it with an eye toward positive closure. Over the course of a lifetime, every eperson will have countless opportunities to work with others through relational, philosophical and methodological differences. On occasion those differences may lead to personal strife, and the person’s opponent may appear to be an enemy. At such times the words of Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount will take on added significance:

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:44)

What is Matthew 5:44 telling us? Love your enemies, “ It is impossible to love the conduct of a man that curses and reviles us, and injures our person or property, or that violates all the laws of God; but though we may hate his conduct, and feel deeply that we are affected by it, yet we may still wish well to the person; we may pity his madness and folly; we may speak kindly of him, and to him; we may not return evil for evil; we may aid him in the time of trial; and seek to do him good here, and to promote his eternal welfare hereafter.” (Barnes)

Bless them that curse you. “The word bless here means to speak well of or to. Not to curse again, or to slander, but to speak of those things which we can commend in an enemy; or if there is nothing that we can commend, to say nothing about him.” (Barnes)

Another translation of Matthew 5-44 is, “Jesus freely acknowledges that we will have enemies, yet we are to respond to them in love, trusting that God will protect our cause and destroy our enemies in the best way possible, by transforming them into our friends.” (Guzik)
Mathew 5:44 3 After reading this scripture one must ask themselves how do we learn to forgive our enemies? How do we show love towards our enemies? How do we not try and defeat or humiliate our enemies?

On November 17, 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a sermon at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. It was based on this very passage of Scripture, and the sermon’s title was “Loving Your Enemy.” Through the course of his sermon, Dr. King suggested three ways by which we can do just that.

First, we must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. Such forgiveness doesn’t mean that we ignore the wrong committed against us. Rather, it means that we will no longer allow the wrong to be a barrier to the relationship. Forgiveness, according to King, “is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning.”

Second, we must recognize that the wrong we’ve suffered doesn’t entirely represent the other person’s identity. We need to acknowledge that our opponent, like each one of us, possesses both bad and good qualities. We must choose to find the good and focus on it.

Third, we must not seek to defeat or humiliate our opponent, but to win his or her friendship and understanding. Such an attitude flows not from ourselves, but from God as his unconditional love works through us. (King Jr)

After doing my research into Matthew 5:44, I have a much better understanding into what God expects from me when dealing with my enemies. Enemies will come into our lives and how we deal with them will truly determine if we are followers of the Lord. What we must do is to try and find the good in

Mathew 5:44 4 all of God’s people and to use that as motivation to love them. If we spent more time forgiving and loving our enemies I believe this will give us more time to focus on ourselves and our relationship with God. This will also allow us to communicate better with others because we will not be so clouded with emotion when dealing with others. When we learn to Love our Enemies and forgive them we can truly communicate with everyone. We spend too much time holding grudges and trying to get even with people we cheat ourselves of finding the good in everyone.

APPENDIX A 5
References
Barnes, A. (2011). Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. Retrieved March 03, 2012, from http://www.studylight.org/com/bnn/view.cgi?book=mt&chapter=005

Guzik’s, D. (2003). David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible. Retrieved March 03, 2012 form http://www.studylight.org/com/guz/view.cgi?book=mt&chapter=005

King Jr, M. (1957) Loving Your Enemies. Retrieved March 03, 2012 from http://www.mlkonline.net/enemies.html

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Haha

...to run to the back of the truck. And then we seen the guy pull a gun out of the back of the truck. So we took of threw almond trees as fast as we coulA SCARY SITUATION I have had a couple of dangerous and tough situations in my life. I was once riding dirtbikes with my friends and we got a gun pulled on us. We were really scared. So we turned the bikes around as fast as we could. I was riding with my best friends Mitchel and Mathew. At first we were at mitchel and Mathews house. So we decided to go for a little dirt bike ride. When we took off Mathew noticed that his bike was smoking. So he thought maybe we can ride with no problems. But that was not true, the bike started sputtering so we turned around, and thats when it all started. After we turned around and we seen a truck coming towards us so we slowly turned off the road. After we got onto the dirt the truck turned in front of us. So then we thought ‘oh its just somebody messing with us’. But we were wrong. One of the d. And when we got back to the house we told Mitchel and Mathews mom what happened. \ That is the end of my very scary moment. I have lots of other scary moments such as breaking my nose and crashing a dirt bike. But this was one of the scariest moments ever. There are probably a lot more scary moments to come, but until then that was my scary...

Words: 299 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Mathew 13: The Parable Of Weed

...Mathew 13:24-30 Parable of weed, it is parable of these verses. A master in this story compares to God and Jesus, wheat compares to people who believe in Jesus, and Enemy compares to devils, sins, and Satan which trying to damn people, and weed compares to people who denied God and Jesus. One day master sowed the seeds, but few days later an enemy sowed the weeds, when wheat started show up, weeds started show up too, but master let wheat grows with weeds, and he will wait until harvest then burn the weeds and put wheat in his barn. In these days, many people are living in sins, and don’t worry about consequences of living in sins because they do not get punishment in their life on the earth. However according to this parable,...

Words: 300 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Mathew Effect Rhetorical Analysis

...way that Gladwell introduces us to the idea of the “Mathew Effect.” He argues that being among the best at something, is not a result of innate talent but rather it is having the good fortune of being in a skill-learning environment at the right time and in the right place. In some cases, the conducive environment is simply being the right age with the right resources available. When age and resources line up at the on-set of learning a skill, this initial advantage accumulates; it exponentially increases over time. The result of successive advantages leads to what is mistaken as natural ability....

Words: 424 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Mike Mathews: An Analysis Of Three Values

...Mike Mathews was a socially awkward, thirteen-year-old African American. He didn’t have a father, lived alone with his mother in a small apartment in a crowded neighborhood flat. His mother worked two jobs just to afford their living. Without a father figure to look up to, Mike was a very quiet and had a low self-esteem. He had trouble communicating with people and fitting in a crowd. But that all changed one night. It all started in seventh grade, when Mike was invited to a party thrown by his class fellows. He was never the social type and thought it would be a good opportunity to make some new friends. In the party he noticed that most of the ‘cool’ crowd was in a corner. When he approached them it turned out they were doing drugs. Mike got offered a joint and because of the atmosphere he was in he got peer pressured into smoking it. It was a feeling like never before, he wanted more. So he started hanging out with those kids and selling drugs on the street. He became a hustler, his mind got corrupted and now he was fascinated with material objects....

Words: 1372 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Mathews Vs Christie Case Study

...Mathews v Christie In the case of Mathews v Christie, the plaintiffs were registered proprietors of the neighbouring property to the defendants and were seeking compensation for damages caused by contractors hired by the defendants. The respondents held the property on trust for the mother of the second defendant; at the time the defendants were redeveloping the property. In the process of redevelopment, the defendants had planned to renew the common boundary fence between the two-neighouring properties. However before doing so, the ivy screen that had grown on the plaintiff’s property for years needed to be removed. The reason being that the ivy had infested the tree on the defendant’s property, whilst using the common boundary fence as support to grow. The defendants had notified the plaintiffs about the...

Words: 1034 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Mathews vs. Eldridge: a Case Review

...The Mathews vs. Eldridge Case: A Review of the Significance of Due Process. In my opinion of the case Mathews vs. Eldridge was a valid claim in such that Mr. Eldridge wanted to be heard and felt as if his social security benefits had been unjustly terminated. In review of the case it is found that the Mathews vs. Eldridge case established a new precedence in deciding if due process is appropriated. The result of the case was that there should be a balance between “the interests affected and the administrative burden.” (www.invisipress.com). Mr. George Eldridge had been a Social Security beneficiary from June of 1968 up until July of 1972. His original Social Security disability benefits were noted as being because of back strain and chronic anxiety, later Mr. Eldridge contended in a written reply to the administration, after being told his benefits were to become terminated, that he had spinal arthritis and that there was enough formal documentation to determine disability benefits presented at earlier dates. The agency proceeded to terminate his benefits and informed him that he had the right to file a rebuttal within six months to be heard for reconsideration. Mr Eldridge did not do so; though Mr. Eldridge had been offered a post-termination procedure in which an oral evidentiary hearing was to be included, he instead chose to bring suit and argued that Fifth Amendment Rights had been violated. The suit claimed that Mr. Eldridge’s benefits had been terminated in violation...

Words: 678 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Mathew Brady's Nineteenth Century: Photographers Of The 19th Century

...Photographers of the 19th Century – Present Mathew Brady (Brady) was born in 1823 in Warren County, New York, to Irish immigrant parents, Andrew and Julia Brady. Brady moved to New York City at the age of 16 or 17 where he took his first job was working in a department store as a clerk. Brady started a small business that manufactured jewelry cases shortly after he started working as a store clerk and in his spare time he studied photography. He studied photography under a number of teachers, which included the famous inventor of the telegraph, Samuel F.B. Morse. Brady seemed to have a natural gift for photography and by 1844 had started his own photography studio in New York. By 1845 he started exhibiting his portraits of famous Americans....

Words: 305 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Two Brothers

...“Town up ahead, 3 kilotimers” my little brother Mathew said with confusion as he attempted to read the street sign. “Big brother, what does kilotimers mean is it something we can eat?” he asked. “First of all its kilometres” I corrected “and second it’s how far away we are from the upcoming town. Not something we eat” I answered with a grin on my face. Mathew is my younger brother, with his long dark thin hair and his bright blue eyes. He was covered in dirt, his green jacket, grey pants and his adorable orange racing t-shirt. His favourite toy was an action-man figurine which he took everywhere, he kept in his back-pack along with his other “collectable toys”. After our parents past away from a radioactive explosion I found myself relying on Mathew just as much as he relied on me. I relied on him to tell me where we are for he had much better eye sight than I did, for the radiation that had created this barren wasteland had caused major damage to my eyes restricting the amount of light entering them making it hard to make out object or even words in this world where the sun only comes out as a miracle. As we came closer to the seamlessly abandoned town the common stench of decomposing bodies focused me to breathe through my mouth unlike Mathew for he had no sense of smell. “Still not used to the smell yet big brother?” Mathew said with a grin on his face. Mathew didn’t need a sense of smell to know what is around us he would always use my facial expressions to say make out the...

Words: 973 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Charlotte Mcmann's Fact Patter

...In the Fact Patter, Charlotte McMann developed a methodology to help individuals identify their perfect fit for a running shoe. McMann spent most of her time researching and conducting tests which received a high percentage of approval rating. She then decides to maximize her benefits by opening her own retail store. Mathew her lawyer recommends her a couple of ideas, one being opening a Limited Partnership, and suggesting himself as the Limited Partner, offering contributions towards the opening of her business. Throughout the processes of Charlotte opening her business and gaining profits she faces numerous difficulties. Mathew Stinson, suggested Charlotte to operate her company as a Limited Partnership and offered himself as the Limited...

Words: 1896 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Capital Punishment: the Legal Murder

...Prejan) and Sean Penn (Mathew Poncelet). Dead man walking follows an epic experience of a nun, Sister Prejan, with a convicted murderer and rapist, Mathew Poncelet. The movie debates many complex political, religious and ethical issues concerning capital punishment, going through the experience and knowledge of the movie cast. Yet, it intelligently criticizes the law of capital punishment and describes it as an immoral and injustice act of murder. furthermore, Mathew Poncelet who faces death penalty is constantly seen to be facing some form of torture and denial from the society; his life becomes an instrument of the political world while he constantly tries to save himself but fails; however, Mathew’s death brilliantly questions the legitimacy of the death penalty law. The movie criticizes the injustice role of the government on the death penalty law, describing it as propaganda by the government to raise support in expense of a human being’s life. This is particularly evident in the start of the movie, when the governor is shown speaking to supporters and ordering the death of Mathew Poncelet. Although Mathew receives the news of his death, we see him fighting for his life in courts. In the pardon board scene, which is described as being appointees of the governor with enormous power, shown mostly in close up shots, seemed not interested in considering Mathew’s life in anyway; none of the appointees show any gesture or movement towards Mathew, almost as if their decision...

Words: 1385 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Why Four Gospels? Book Critique

...that, this work will first analyze the historical background and reality context of the composition of each gospel. The author David Black has published over 100 scholarly articles and book reviews in such journals as Novum Testamentum, New Testament Studies, Bible Translator, Journal of Biblical Literature, and many others. He also serves as Professor of New Testament and Greek and the Dr. M. O. Owens Jr. Chair in New Testament Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. SUMMARY The book starts by bringing up a description of the development of the gospels, and a not very known basic historical fact is that the Gospels were written through a not so brief period of time. The “Gospel according to Mathew” was published in 42 AD, and there was a 20-25 years gap between its publication and the publication of “Luke’s Gospel” and “The gospel according to Mark”. And than, another huge gap between the publication of those and finally “The Gospel of John” being published in 96 AD, so there was a 54 years interval between the publication of the 4 Gospels, and that fact shows that sometimes God likes to act in a way that takes time, seems unusual to human eyes, but in the end everything fits and make complete sense, because “The Gospels” are the foundation and most important books on the Bible until today. In the first part Black exposes that the Gospels are the most important part of the written tradition handed on by the twelve apostles by virtue...

Words: 3283 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Acute Myocardial Infarction

...Cardiac – Coronary Artery Disease/Acute Myocardial Infarction Topic: Cardiac – Coronary Artery Disease/Acute Myocardial Infarction 1 Cardiac – Coronary Artery Disease/Acute Myocardial Infarction Table of Contents Introduction...................................................................................................................3 Patient’s profile..............................................................................................................4 Pathophysiology...............................................................................................................................5 Clinical manifestations...................................................................................................................6 Short of breath and ‘light headed’...................................................................................................6 Nauseous and uncomfortable feeling...............................................................................................6 Crushing substernal chest pain .......................................................................................................6 Modifiable and Non-modifiable risk factors.................................................................7 Laboratory tests results and ECG findings................................................................................7 ECG (Electrocardiogram)....................................................................

Words: 1624 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

New Testament Bible Dictionary Project

...Krystal Collier L27262620 BIBL104 July 1, 2015 New Testament Bible Dictionary Project: Matthew The origin of Mathew was accepted by the early church, it is the first of the four Gospels. Mathew is the author of this book. We know this to be true because Mathew was a tax collector before following Jesus. He speaks of money in forms that appear nowhere else and in ways only someone who dealt with money would speak. Mathew is written in the forms of miracles, he reports many miracles Jesus performed. Mathew is dated as early as AD 60, no later than AD 65. Mathew was intended for everyone but refers to Jewish practices and does not explain, this is taken to mean Jews were the intended audience. Mathew shows that Jesus is the realization of the predictions of the Old Testament. The book of Mathew begins by tracing the genealogical blood line of Jesus to the King of David and to Abraham, the father of all. Mathew gives us his eyewitness account of the coming of Jesus, His crucifixion and His resurrection. Jesus gave his predictions for the end of times when He would return to judge the nations. Barnabas Barnabas was a Levite form the island of Cyprus. He was a cousin of the evangelist Mark. Barnabas supported poorer members of the church by selling his field he acquired after relocating to Jerusalem. His traits gave him leadership and influence. He began a movement towards Christianity in Antioch, from there he sought out Paul at Tarsus. They became associates and started...

Words: 551 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Information Warehouse

...Name Course Institution Date Contrasting aspects in Mathew 5: 20-48 Mathew 5: 20-48 is one of the key sections that introduce the Jesus Sermon on the Mount. In this chapter, Jesus said “it has already been said in the old time and I also say unto you”. This states that Jesus is correcting Pharisees and scribes false interpretations and hence providing the exact meaning that is indicated in the law of the Old Testament. There are two important aspects that are reflected in this chapter, that is • There are cases where Jesus says, “You have already heard and has also been said”. This indicates that he quotes the statement from the law of the Old Testament • There is also another case where he says “i am saying to you”, means that he is telling the people an idea that is consistent with the law of the New Testament. Therefore this acts as a contrast to the new law with direct quotes from the Old Testament. For instance the Old Testament states in Exodus chapter 20: versus 14 “that you shall not engage in adultery”. In the New Testament Jesus provides a strict law that states that whoever looks at a woman for lust he has already committed adultery with her won heart. In this case Jesus uses the law in the Old Testament and defines it again in the New Testament in a stricter approach. Hate your enemies and love your neighbour is also another contrasting part. In Leviticus chapter 19: 18 states that you love your enemies and some other parts of the Old Testament...

Words: 556 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

They Bought in Case Analysis

...Bought In. Now They Want to Bail Out. Menswear chain Mathews & Co.’s Chief Technology Officer, or CTO, Barry Golding is angling for budget to implement CRM software and has championed the effort for months, touting CRM’s far reaching potential to company department heads but during the project’s latest planning meeting, the executives involved express disappointment when they see that the initiative won’t give them everything on their wish lists. One department head is disappointed that so few of her “must have” items are in Barry's latest plan. Another is sour on the project now that he's discovered he won't get any payback for two years. The CEO, who has given the project his blessing, isn't present to back up Golding, and after the meeting Golding leaves without a sense of what he could have done to keep the department heads on his side. What Went Wrong? Thankfully, Julie, a teammate of Golding’s, brings to light that Barry has fallen victim to the “blue-sky paradox”. The blue-sky paradox, explains Julie, occurs when project leaders, in an effort to “sell” their project for buy-in or budget reasons, asks stakeholders to dream big. In doing so, these project leaders often encourage expectations to be set so high that they can’t be met—setting people up for disappointment. At this point in the project, Golding has essentially shopped around results, which he’s not yet sure the program will be able to deliver on. Mathew & Co.’s CEO has asked him to increase “closet-share”...

Words: 1509 - Pages: 7