I wasn’t always against violence. In fact, it’s strange to say that I am now. I used to demand violence as an answer to the worlds problems because it was my highest form of justice. I could demand executions and wars without batting an eyebrow. It wasn’t only justified in my eyes, but good and the will of God.
But everything changed when I read this book. It turned much of my worldview completely upside down. I encourage you to check it out. It will challenge you and it will stretch you.
Webster defines a Pacifist in this way: a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable.
Sometimes I feel the word is too small to capture such a big issue. But I do feel like it sums up my current convictions very well. Unjustifiable. Based on what? I think the only thing that brought me to a confident position in my theology is what I truly believe everything should come back to for the believer; the life and ministry of Jesus.
If Jesus is the exact and complete representation of the Father, and if He is the same yesterday, today and forever, and if we have studied the life and ministry of Jesus, and if Paul told us to be imitators of Christ, we should have a very hard time reconciling violence and the cross.
But it’s not my intention to argue for pacifism, anti-violence or any of that in this post. My intention is to draw our attention to a particular passage in this thread that we all know but largely ignore.
You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].
Matthew 5:43-45 amp
I ignored this passage for most of my life. It is one of the most aggressive, offensive things that Jesus said. Maybe that’s why I didn’t pay much attention to it. I was offended at it so it I barely saw it and it had no power to penetrate my heart.
My guess is that it offends many of you as well. Especially when we understand that anytime Jesus mentions enemies He is referring to the Romans who tortured and terrorized the Jews. There was no one more brutal at that time than the Romans. And Jesus told the Jews to love them.
Love them! These people who would come in and crucify innocent people just to make an example, to keep the peace of Rome. It was horrendous. It would be like Jesus telling us to love and pray for Al Qaeda. But He does tell us to love them even as they terrorize the world. Even as they kill those we love.
Love your enemies. Remember that Love is fully defined by the life and ministry of Jesus. Also reference 1 Cor 13. If there is a way to qualify the passage above I’d like to hear it. But it seems comprehensive. Some argue that violence is justified because of the Old Testament. At first glance that might seem to have merit. But then we see that Jesus disregarded the eye for eye law and instituted a new commandment. Jesus changed the law because He saw how flawed it was. He also said:
1. Do not resist an evil person (Matthew 5:39)
2. Turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39)
3. All who take the sword will perish by the sword (26:52)
4. Children of the Father will love enemies (above passage)
5. Conform wholly to My way of living (Matthew 16:24 amp)
**Note. For #1 I don’t think it’s about doing nothing but about escalating violence**
Some things are clear to me with this issue and some things are muddy. One thing that does seem clear to me is that we are not given permission to kill, take revenge on or act according the established world-system when it comes to enemies. If we are in a covenant with Jesus the instructions seem to be clear; Love.
What’s muddy is how this is lived out. What about Police officers who love Jesus? What about politicians who love Jesus who may have to order things that contradict the words of Jesus? What about those in the military who love Jesus? What about someone breaking into your house and threatening your family? I don’t know.
But though I recognize that issue may not be as black and white as I’d like to make it, I feel confident that violence in any situation is not God’s ideal and that He does not condone it. I feel that when we carry out violence we shouldn’t ever mutter the words, “I’m doing the will of God.” I don’t think His position is one that says, “Well look that the world they live in so I’ll just say violence is okay.”
This is a hard issue and it’s a volatile one. But it’s time to stop ignoring the words of Jesus regarding enemies. It’s time to start wrestling with it. And it needs to be wrestled with because violence is contrary to the character and nature of God we see in Jesus. It’s contrary to love and we, as followers of Jesus, are instructed to love in everything we do.
Blessings,
Jesse and Kara Birkey
http://www.facebook.com/jesse.birkey
http://www.amazon.com/author/jessebirkey
Jesse and Kara Birkey are committed lovers of Jesus who seek to show others the extraordinary life of Jesus is available for everyone. They have authored two books, been featured in films and seek to serve the Lord in whatever ways they can. Follow their blog here.
Bring Jesse and Kara to your venue. Find more information here.
Life Resurrected, Extraordinary Miracles through Ordinary People has been endorsed by Sid Roth and Mark Virkler and is a collection of inspiring stories making it clear that the extraordinary life of Jesus is available to all who love Him. It’s also the testimony of Jesse’s life, the road he travelled bringing him into the arms of Jesus. Get the paperback here. Get the Kindle Version Here. View the trailer here.
Marriage What’s the Point? One couple finds meaning in a crazy mess is the story of their marriage—The tragedy and the restoration. They bear their hearts in an attempt to get others to bear theirs and finally receive the freedom they’ve longed for. Get the paperback here. Get the Kindle Version Here.
Jesse is also featured in the film DeadRaiser, a movie shining the spotlight on resurrection testimonies across the nation. Find more information here.
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