Interacting with Others

In Matthew 5:38-42,  Jesus contrasts what we have heard ("eye for eye, and tooth for tooth"), with what He is telling us ("do not resist an evil person"). He gives 5 examples of what He means. 
1) If someone slaps us on one cheek, turn the other cheek to them too.
2) If someone wants to sue us and take our shirt, give them our coat as well.
3) If someone makes us go one mile, go a second mile with them.
4) We are to give to the one who asks us for help.
5) We are not to turn away from someone who wants to borrow from us. 

Similarly, the parallel passage in Luke 6:29-31, outlines 
1) turning the other cheek to the one who slaps us, 
2) giving our shirt to the one who takes our coat, 
(point 3 above is not repeated in this passage)
4) giving to those who ask us, and 
5) not demanding people return our stuff to us.  

He finishes this section by commanding us to "do to others as you would have them do to you."
This teaching is HARD. It goes against our natural inclinations as humans to get revenge, defend our stuff, and judge if those asking for help are WORTHY. 

Christians, in the United States in particular, have struggled with these commands. We idolize the patriot, the underdog, and the hero. We defend our possessions with deadly force. We seek revenge when we feel wronged. If someone slaps us, we punch back. If someone sues us, we counter sue. We resist being asked to do things and try to get out of unwanted commitments as soon as possible. We refuse to help those asking us to help them. 

May we REPENT of our attitudes and behaviors that run counter to Jesus' commands. May we APPLY these teachings, not as intangible "goodwill" that doesn't require action of us, but as commands that should shape our lives. 

How do we want to be treated? That is how we should be treating other people, including our political opponents, people of other religions and nationalities, and those on the margins of society.