Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world otherwise His servants would fight!
3 January 2005, 07:13
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away” (Mt. 5:38-42).
These teachings called nonresistance by some are Jesus’s clear commandments to His followers concerning the christian’s view of War and or agression. The early church understood unquestionably what Jesus meant and therefore followed their Master’s lead for the first three hundred years of the church. It is not suprising that a Christian following Jesus’ commandments would experience persecution from the same worldly authorities that crucified Him for teaching and living them. Jesus’ teachings not only called for passivism but also for a proactive, self sacrificing love.
But there is also a proactive part to Jesus’ teaching: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Mt. 5:43-48).
These teachings have been perfectly exemplified by Joel. Joel’s unwillingness to harm another human even if it means he is himself is harmed is righteous. His willingness to put himself in harms way to diffuse a device that could potentially kill or maim another Human is not only righteous and edifying but it is also convicting. I hope that Joel’s bold stand for the Kingdom of God will convict other soldiers who consider themselves to be christians to take their cues from God and not from the world. For further instruction in the narrow rarely trodden and often demonized way see all of Jesus teachings.
God bless us all with the knowledge of Him and His excellent ways.
All should also check out "to end all wars" a new film about heroism in it’s true sense.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away” (Mt. 5:38-42).
These teachings called nonresistance by some are Jesus’s clear commandments to His followers concerning the christian’s view of War and or agression. The early church understood unquestionably what Jesus meant and therefore followed their Master’s lead for the first three hundred years of the church. It is not suprising that a Christian following Jesus’ commandments would experience persecution from the same worldly authorities that crucified Him for teaching and living them. Jesus’ teachings not only called for passivism but also for a proactive, self sacrificing love.
But there is also a proactive part to Jesus’ teaching: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Mt. 5:43-48).
These teachings have been perfectly exemplified by Joel. Joel’s unwillingness to harm another human even if it means he is himself is harmed is righteous. His willingness to put himself in harms way to diffuse a device that could potentially kill or maim another Human is not only righteous and edifying but it is also convicting. I hope that Joel’s bold stand for the Kingdom of God will convict other soldiers who consider themselves to be christians to take their cues from God and not from the world. For further instruction in the narrow rarely trodden and often demonized way see all of Jesus teachings.
God bless us all with the knowledge of Him and His excellent ways.
All should also check out "to end all wars" a new film about heroism in it’s true sense.