Patience and truthfulness

Concerning bearing injuries, serving everyone, and being free from anger, he said: “To the one who strikes your cheek, offer the other as well; and do not stop the one who takes away your tunic or cloak. Whoever becomes angry is liable to the fire. If anyone compels you to go one mile, follow him for two. And let your good works shine before people, so that when they see them they may marvel at your Father who is in heaven.” We must not resist in retaliation. He has not wanted us to imitate wicked people, but has exhorted us through endurance and gentleness to lead everyone away from shameful conduct and the desire for evil. We can demonstrate this from many among you who have changed from violent and tyrannical ways after being overcome by what they saw: the steadfast conduct of their neighbors, the extraordinary patience of fellow travelers when they were defrauded, or what they experienced with those who did business with them. Concerning not swearing at all, but always speaking the truth, he commanded: “Do not swear at all. Let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no; anything beyond these is from evil.” And he persuaded us that God alone must be worshiped, saying: “The greatest commandment is: You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him alone, with all your heart and with all your strength—the Lord God who made you.” When someone approached him and said, “Good Teacher,” he answered, “No one is good except God alone, who made all things.” Those who are not found living as he taught should be recognized as not being Christians, even if with their lips they speak Christ’s teachings. For he said that not those who merely speak, but those who also do the deeds, will be saved. He said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. For whoever hears me and does what I say hears the one who sent me. Many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not eat and drink in your name and perform mighty works?’ Then I will say to them, ‘Go away from me, workers of lawlessness.’ Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when the righteous shine like the sun and the unjust are sent into eternal fire. For many will come in my name, outwardly clothed in sheep’s skins but inwardly ravenous wolves. You will know them by their works. Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And we ask you also to punish those who do not live according to his teachings but are only called Christians.