J
If you look at what He said in context, He was speaking about the whole notion of "revenge".... I think He was trying to teach us the principle of forgiveness.
Our "natural man" response to being wrongly treated, whether it's at work, or someone mouthing at you in the parking lot, is to give it right back to them... to "win".
I think Jesus is teaching us to let stuff like that slide, and don't get all worked up over it. It's damaging to our well-being, and is damaging to our being witnesses of Christ to the world. (I have difficulties with this when I'm driving
)
I don't think it means that we should not defend ourselves against violence, whether in our personal lives, or as citizens of our country.
A slap on the face is only a threat to your pride... let it go.
Our "natural man" response to being wrongly treated, whether it's at work, or someone mouthing at you in the parking lot, is to give it right back to them... to "win".
I think Jesus is teaching us to let stuff like that slide, and don't get all worked up over it. It's damaging to our well-being, and is damaging to our being witnesses of Christ to the world. (I have difficulties with this when I'm driving
) I don't think it means that we should not defend ourselves against violence, whether in our personal lives, or as citizens of our country.
A slap on the face is only a threat to your pride... let it go.
On other hand, it's clearly part of the responsibility of a family man to protect his family, and God has not been opposed to government He ordains executing criminals or warring against evil, that there is a time for mercy, another time for justice. It's also always occurred to me there's a distinction between being martyred for Christ and being the victim of some criminal thug, don't see where God gets any glory for us being crime victims nor that it's right to allow more victims: it's not loving your neighbor to give the evil a pass, to move on to victimizing your neighbor. Like anything, we have to take the whole world of God, the context of the entire Bible, to see the big picture, and we can't say those verses are ordaining total pacifism, in all situations, or God Himself would be in breach of such a doctrine.
You can't argue protecting your family is not part of providing, that it would be some piece of work, any person who would not defend his or her own, as if some misplaced self-righteousness rules over the mandate to love others, no greater love than to give your life for others, even,
1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
We're to live peaceably, as far as is possible, but peace is not some absolute mandate, in all circumstances,
Romans 12:17-18 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
There's also a vast difference between being hateful and vengeful, and doing the ugly task of having to stand up to evil you'd rather not have to deal with, the thoughts and motivations of our hearts, the inner man, who we are: protecting yourself or your family, or your nation, for a righteous indignation against evil offenses, to thwart evil, is not being vengeful. Though these verses involve doctrine, they also point out a general principle that wishing the evil God speed is partaking of their evil,
2 John 1:10-11 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Hitler would have had no power at all, if it weren't for the fact he had a lot of "good Nazis" at his beck and call. Lastly, the Christian is not called upon to be a friend of the world, which would be enmity with God.
