Good morning! How are we faithing? It's cold outside this morning! Reading some stuff this morning led me in a different direction than I thought I was going. Remember hearing, "eye for an eye, tooth for tooth"? It is very interesting to see why and the purpose of these rules in the old testament. Look at the context this comes from;

Ex 21:22-25
"If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
NIV

Lev 24:17-22
"'If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death. Anyone who takes the life of someone's animal must make restitution--life for life. If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. As he has injured the other, so he is to be injured. Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a man must be put to death. You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.'"
NIV

Deut 19:16-21
If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse a man of a crime, the two men involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his brother, then do to him as he intended to do to his brother. You must purge the evil from among you. The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you. Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
NIV

How interesting. That last set is very telling because it talks of purging evil. These were rules that most laws in the world were based on. Our lesson is not those laws today but our behavior towards others. Retaliatory behavior is not condoned by Jesus and our faith. We're not talking about protecting your family or self defense but things as simple as "I'll get them for..." or "I'll pay them back...". Those attitudes are not in step with the forgiveness we enjoy from our savior. We as believers need to pass on that same forgiveness even when we want to smack the tar out of someone. This goes beyond the physical too! What is your attitude? How do you think when you are wronged? Yes we all get ticked and lash out sometimes when first wronged but an attitude change must come and it can only come by Jesus and the filling our hearts and minds with the Word. Read those verses again and read this as a completion of the law;

Matt 5:38-42
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' "But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. "And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. "And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. "Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
NAS

People are not surprised when we forgive but they sure take notice when we go further. If we are to show compassion like God did to us, we need to step out on faith beyond guttural feelings and stand on righteousness believing that these things are done because it is right. Love and grace goes further than retribution. We love because we have been loved. It ain't easy lots of times but it certainly is proper and we are much better off.  

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for seeing us through the rough patches. Help us seek your love and grace and see things that happen for what they are. Help us understand justice and righteousness. Lord we struggle as you know with being hurt and being able to forgive. Help our hearts heal quickly and supernaturally so we can be ambassadors for you. We lift those in trouble today, grant wisdom and peace on their hearts and minds, in Jesus name, amen