38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.”  39 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. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.REFLECTIONSWritten by Sam DarmoJesus is teaching beyond the principle of retribution that was taught in the Old Testament which taught that retribution for wrong done was controlled, limited and the punishment fitted the measure of the crime committed. Yet God in His mercy did not give us what we deserve but showed us grace by giving what we do not deserve. Jesus’s teaching is easy to understand if we understand the grace of God and the complete forgiveness we have in Jesus His Son. God acted this way towards us in Christ as we sinned against Him defiantly but with the end result of transforming our lives by the power of His love through Christ.As born again believers, do we then show the power of God’s love through our lives by living in the way described here? Or, do we resist, fight back, hold on to our earthly possessions, and resist being forced? Or do we, like God, in Christ forgive, love and give all things for the sake of glorifying God and magnifying His gifts of Mercy and Grace?ABOUT THE AUTHORSam is an Assistant Minister at our Fairfield Morning Church and our Bossley Park Assyrian and Arabic Churches.