At 7:00 a.m. every Monday, I teach Bible study. About twenty of us meet from 7:00-7:15 a.m. for coffee, juice, and a light breakfast. Each week, a different member of the group brings the food for the rest of the crowd. The fare consists of biscuits, muffins, bagels, and various breads complete with the appropriate condiments. For fifteen minutes, we sip hot coffee and nibble on high-calorie homemade delights. After breaking our fast, we settle in for the Monday morning Bible study.

When we studied Matthew 5:38-48, one member of our group said, "What Jesus said sounds good, but it will not work in real life." Well, I want us to see if we can hear what Jesus is saying. I want us to see if his words can speak to our situation today. Will the truth of Jesus' words hold up in the real world? …