“39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But 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; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:38-48)
In the latter portions of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus exhorts his followers to pursue peace at all costs, even when someone hurts us; abstain from inflicting any pain or negativity on others; and restrain ourselves and help others unconditionally, even if they wish us ill. This is the only way that we can help others change and improve themselves. Only by us spreading the light will it reach others and transform them. Self-restraint and pacifism are more powerful than any aggression. Evil simply spawns further evil. Only by doing good can we transform others and the world.
Kindness flows when we put others before ourselves.
