Pastor Jason discusses the conflict between revenge and forgiveness, referencing Chinese proverbs and biblical teachings. He emphasizes Jesus' command to love enemies and the values of unity, sympathy, brotherly love, tenderheartedness, and humility as outlined in 1 Peter 3:8-12. Jason argues that Christians should bless those who harm them, citing Psalm 34:12-13, which promises a blessed life for those who do good and seek peace. He concludes that true Christian living involves suffering injustice without retaliation, trusting in God's future blessings and inheritance.

Revenge and Its Cultural Context

• Pastor Jason shares his childhood fascination with kung fu shows, which often revolved around themes of revenge.
• He discusses the Chinese sayings "有仇必报" and "君子报仇十年不晚" which advocate for revenge.
• Pastor Jason contrasts these sayings with "冤冤相报何时了" and "an eye for an eye only makes the world go blind," which question the morality of revenge.
• He poses the question of whether revenge is the right way to live, presenting two opposing views: taking revenge (orange way) versus not taking revenge (purple way).

Christian Ethos and Loving Enemies

• Pastor Jason introduces the Christian ethos of loving enemies, citing Jesus' command to love enemies.
• He references First Peter, where Peter encourages Christians to live lives of holiness and to bless instead of retaliating.
• The theme of First Peter is to live out loving lives that show how Christians love their enemies.
• Pastor Jason emphasizes that Christians should not retaliate but should do good to those who harm them.

Values of the Church

• Pastor Jason outlines five inward values that Peter espouses in First Peter 3:8-12: unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, tender heart, and humble mind.
• He explains each value in detail, using unique Greek words and their meanings to illustrate their significance.
• The values are presented as a mirror, with unity of mind and humble mind being similar in nature.
• These values are meant to guide the attitudes within the church, promoting harmony, sympathy, and humility.

Non-Retaliation and Blessing

• Pastor Jason discusses the outward expression of non-retaliation, using an example of a calm counter staff at an airport.
• He contrasts the Christian ethos of not returning evil for evil with the world's approach of retaliation.
• The final instruction to the church is to submit to one another, as outlined in First Peter 3:13.
• Pastor Jason transitions to the topic of vocation, emphasizing that Christians are called to bless and not to repay evil for evil.

The Calling to Bless

• Pastor Jason reiterates that Christians are called to bless, not to repay evil for evil, as seen in First Peter 2:20-23.
• He explains that following Jesus means suffering injustice and not retaliating, but instead blessing.
• The example of Jesus is used to illustrate how Christians should respond to evil with good.
• Pastor Jason addresses the common misconception that following Jesus leads to an easy and good life, clarifying that it involves suffering injustice and not retaliating.

The Vindication of Blessing

• Pastor Jason introduces the concept of vindication, explaining that Christians will not be seen as losers for blessing others.
• He references Psalm 34, which speaks about obtaining a blessing by refraining from evil and doing good.
• The blessing is tied to loving life and seeing good days, but it is not necessarily about an easy, enjoyable, and long life here today.
• Pastor Jason explains that the blessing is ultimately about the future inheritance and glory that Christians will receive.

The Future Inheritance and Glory

• Pastor Jason elaborates on the future inheritance and glory, using Psalm 34 and other biblical references to support his argument.
• He explains that the blessing is not about present help but about the future inheritance and glory.
• The word "obtain" in First Peter is translated as "inherit," emphasizing the future aspect of the blessing.
• Pastor Jason encourages Christians to fix their eyes on the future inheritance and glory, rather than seeking revenge today.

The Hope of the Blessing

• Pastor Jason highlights the theme of hope that runs through First Peter, encouraging Christians to look to the future.
• He explains that the hope of the blessing enables Christians to bless even in the face of slander and provocation.
• Christians are called to be free from vindictiveness because they believe God is their vindication.
• The hope of the blessing is a key motivator for Christians to live out their faith in a godly manner.

The Biblical Response to Provocation

• Pastor Jason discusses the biblical response to provocation, emphasizing that Christians should not run away or retaliate but seek reconciliation.
• He explains that Christians are not immunized from suffering but are different in that they refuse to become evil.
• The true Christian response is to return good for evil, which is God-like and sets Christians apart from the world.
• Pastor Jason encourages Christians to believe that God will ultimately make things right, providing a hope that endures through suffering.

The Final Threat and Conclusion

• Pastor Jason concludes by stating that the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, emphasizing the importance of not seeking revenge.
• He encourages Christians to look further and not be short-sighted, believing that God will make things right in the future.
• The final threat in First Peter is a reminder that those who do not refrain from deceit and evil will face God's judgment.
• Pastor Jason calls for repentance and forgiveness, urging Christians to follow Jesus in suffering and blessing, and for non-Christians to repent and believe in Christ.