Retaliation or Restraint

Several articles have surfaced over these past few days that have triggered quite a bit of discussion concerning the issue of what we Christians should do in the event of being confronted by those who wish to harm us, or our families. ... The one that pushed it to the forefront for me was this particular story ... World Net Daily reported this on July 8th ..... "Churches boost security as violent incidents grow"   .... The following comment is from the same article ... "This is the 'norm' in our world's culture and there is a need for security. ... We need to be prepared ..." It then goes on to say there is a DVD out called "Shooting Back: The right & duty of self defense."

As I said in my comment then ...  this, in itself, is one of the most debated Christian issues of our day ... and a large majority of Christians believe that 'shooting back' ... or retaliation ... is our duty, and right, especially in this American culture. ... But then I also added that there are those ... a small minority ... who believe this is NOT what the Lord teaches ... but that we are to "turn the other cheek." 

Let me tell you a brief, but relevant story. ... I was one of those in the 'majority' who totally believed that if anyone messed with me, or my friends & family, they would pay the appropriate price. ... After all, I am a veteran who served in Vietnam, and for most of my life held very conservative views on most all political positions. ... I mean hey, isn't this the American way?

But then something happened to me ... The events of September 11, 2001 began my journey toward a complete 'spiritual' reawakening ... a total renovation of the way I viewed the world. ... At that time I was at a point where I was trying to find my way back to the Lord. ... I was attending a church in central Oregon and was also involved in as small group made up of mostly very mature Christians. ... We met on the same Tuesday night as when the towers came down in New York City. ... When I arrived at the meeting, most all were angry and wanted our nation to retaliate and bring wrath upon whoever perpetrated this horrendous act. ... Me too, right? ... Yeah, that was the way I was supposed to feel .. the way I was 'expected' to feel ... but somehow, something was wrong about it ... something was just 'out of synch' with what we'd been reading and discussing.

The story goes much deeper but is much too long for this commentary ... so let me sum up as briefly as I can ...

I decided that I had NO idea who I was, much less who the Lord is. ... So I set out on what I now refer to as my "Red Letter Study" ... a study which focused entirely on just the teachings of Jesus Christ. ... But I believe the single most important thing I did prior to the study was this ... I asked the Lord to totally and completely cleanse my mind of ALL the preconceived notions ... all the programmed thoughts that I had acquired along the way ... to let me become like a baby, so that I could see, for the first time, what Jesus was really saying ... not what someone else had taught, or 'programmed' me to believe ... and without question, it changed my life! ... It took about four years of intense study and prayer, but I have never looked back! 

As a result of this journey, I now have a very simple approach to all questions and discussions when it comes to any topic concerning our Christian responses about anything .... WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? ... What a concept! ... But it works every time! ... During classes or discussions, If someone has a strong opinion on any issue, I simply ask them to support it with Scripture. ... Sadly, it is amazing how often they cannot ... that most times the responses or reactions to many of our social issues are 'programmed' in by the world ... the cultures we live in ... not by what the Word of God teaches. .... The simple truth is this ... it is NOT about us or our personal feelings ... but about the truth of what the Bible teaches.

With that said, let's now address the original point of this commentary ... Retaliation or Restraint ... As was pointed out earlier, most believe in retaliation in most all cases of aggression ... especially in a society like ours where it is the dominant thinking ... 'survival of the fittest' ... 'may the 'best' man win' ... 'me first, everyone else second' ... but is it what the Lord teaches? ....

Let's go back to the question ... what does the Bible teach? .... Let's start with this one ... 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 says this ... "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  4) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." .....

Then Jesus Himself said in John 18:36,  "My kingdom is not of this world.  If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews.  But now my kingdom is from another place." ... Continuing, Jesus also said in Matthew 5:39-39,  "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.  39)  But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.  If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." ... and then in verses  43 & 44,  "You have heard that it was said, 'love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you:  love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." ....

There are many more Scriptures I could share with you ... all saying the same things ... but let me share this one from Peter ...  and remember, he was an eyewitness to both the sufferings and teachings of Jesus ... "When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate;  when He suffered He made no threats.  Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."

I know that 'restraint' is a difficult thing for the human mind when we are under assault ..... It totally goes against the nature of man. ... But then, we are told this .... "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  (Romans 12:2) .... I believe this is exactly what happened to me ... and it is still going on! ... Hallelujah!

Seriously, if we are truly honest with ourselves, can any one of us see Jesus pointing  gun at someone with the intent of killing them? ... or to envision Him with ammo belts around His shoulders sitting in a tank? ... I think this description might fit the god of Islam ... not ours ......

What it comes down to is this ... we MUST learn to stop thinking we are in charge ... that we are capable of handling all the situations that come our way. ... It goes back to the comment in the opening article that said "We need to be prepared." ... Whatever happened to trusting in Jesus? ... He gives us clear instructions on what we are to do ... and I can't find the one that says 'Churches are to boost security." ... What I do find is this ... We are to boost our 'spiritual' strength ... to put on our "armor of God" (Read Ephesians 6:10-18).

I will close this commentary with this word from our Savior ... "Peace I leave with you;  my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

Until next time,

Red