Resist Not Evil--Jesus Commanded It--How Far Does It Go

Jesus said in Matt. 5:9, "But I tell you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." In verse 44 he tells us, "But I say unto you, love your enimies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and curse you;"

There is absolutely no way to make this mean anything else other than what Jesus plainly said. We may not like it; it may not be culturally or politically correct; it may not make sense to most people, but Jesus spoke with direct meaning and clarity. He gave us an example by not resisting evil Himself. We must be like Him. That's the way Christians are supposed to be--Christ-like.

In rebuking Peter for slashing off the ear of the servant of the high priest, Jesus said, in Matt. 26:52, "Put up again thy sword to it's place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." The non-resistance Jesus taught was intended for all Christians in all circumstances.

Do you think that Christians killing people in war is acceptable to God? If so, then you must think God has a double standard for Christians, that He makes an exception to the rule for those who kill for a government as soldiers--who now are well paid for their service. Do you think it is acceptable to God for a Christian, or the Church as a whole, to support war? Do you think a Christian or the Church, should be associated with a war that is supposed to be for our freedoms, or for any reason at all? Do you think that the love of the world, the love of country, love of the good life, love of freedom, comes before love for God? Answering yes to any of these questions shows a lack of understanding of the teachings of Jesus or a deliberate defiance of the New Testament teachings on this subject. It shows a love for the world more than that of God. There are no exceptions; there is no double standard to be found in the Bible.

We are told in Hebrews 12:14, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" One cannot resist or defend by inflicting harm or death to another and at the same time possibly be holy. No where in the New Testament of the Holy Bible does Jesus teach fighting for freedom, for one's country, or anything else. The words of Jesus teach against being proud and lusting after the things of the world. We are to be humble and simple, content with what we are given in life, putting nothing before our love for God and pleasing Him by obeying His commands, which come through Jesus.

These next verses of scripture, (Romans 13:1-5), are often used to exempt civil and military duties from Jesus' teachings of non-violence. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake." This is supposed to prove that Christians are to be part of armies fighting wars, and also policeman and other enforcing agencies of world governments; and because these are instituted by God, Jesus' rules no longer apply. How can anyone think that these five verses of scripture veto all of the strong and clear teachings of Jesus and the apostles that are found throughout the New Testament.

In Luke 3;7-14, John the Baptist was preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Many came forward, including soldiers, to be baptized asking what they must do. "And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages." How can a soldier continue to kill, cripple and injure people in all kinds of horrific ways, yet be obeying the order of John, "Do violence to no man"? The dictionary definition for violence is, physical or moral force; assualt. How can a person be a member of Christ's Church, be a part of his most holy body, and commit such horrid acts of violence?

It has been said, "As long as the world stands, there will be need for good people often going into battle as representatives of their country in order to eradicate evil." As representatives of their country--that's patriotism not Christianity. That way of thinking puts the Church into the arena of politics and law--permitting Christians to kill, murder and maime, destroy houses, schools, hospitals, and do all kinds of evil if they are part of a government operation.

We can't always rightly judge which war is for a good cause and which is for a bad cause, but it makes no difference. War is the result of worldly desires. Christians must adhere to Christ. The right way to requite evil, according to Jesus, is not to resist it. This teaching of Jesus removes the Church from the arena of politics and law. Christians must live in the world, yet maintain a barrier between the Church and the world. Fighting and killing in a war removes that barrier and breaks the adherence to Christ. This makes evil the winner.

In a Church service, a worship service to God by God's children, should a prayer be made for "Our troops in combat"? The Church of Christ--according to Jesus--is not supposed to have any troops in combat. Any prayer supporting combat and the terrible violence involved is out of place in the Church of Christ. Combat is a direct violation of the teaching of Jesus Christ and must not be connected to the Church in any way. The lack of opposition to this is letting heresy creep into the Church.

In the beatitudes Jesus tells us that we should be meek, merciful, pure in heart, that we should mourn for the world; we should be pure in spirit; we should be willing to be persecuted for righteousness sake, and it is extremely important that we be peacemakers; "for they shall be called the children of God." This is found in Matt. 5:3-12. So, how can we be all of these ways and support war or violence of any kind? How can we possibly be peacemakers? We can't and be obedient to God.

Jesus demands undivided allegiance. He calls His disciples men who have left all to follow Him, and the teachings of non-violence applies equally to private life and official duty. Christian love has been diliuted into patriotism, loyalty to country, political parties; social clubs, religious denominations, and other forms of Idolatry. Proud and arrogant attitudes associated with nationality are not consistant with the teachings of Jesus.

The Pharisees tried to trick Jesus and get Him to speak against Ceasar. They asked Him, "Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Ceasar, or not?" Jesus replied, "--Render therefore unto Ceasar the things which are Ceasar's; and unto God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:17-21.) Paying taxes was the issue in question, but it represents obedience to authorities. This example clearly tells us how to submit to authorities. We cannot violate the laws of God, which are the teachings of Jesus Christ, in the process of submitting to authorities. For example, the apostles continued to preach and teach when they were told not to by the authorities. There have been thousands of Christian martyrs. They were killed because they placed their love for Jesus above loyalty to State.

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29.) They said this after being told by the High Priest and Council to stop preaching the doctrine of Jesus. This verse of scripture calls for defiance of the demand from the higher powers because it was against the command of God. The things which are Ceasar's, are the things that are required to support the government that do not violate the laws of God. The things which are God's, pertain to all righteousness; for all righteousness comes from God. The New Testament of the Holy Bible tells us, through the teachings of Jesus Christ, how we are to conduct our lives. Nowhere in the New Testament does Jesus give any exceptions to His commands. Making exceptions for civil duties, makes God subordinate to governments. It is an enormous error to exploit the doctrine of Christ so as to justify direct relationship with things of this world. Jesus Christ must always stand between the Christian and the world.

Christianity makes a deep intrusion into worldly living. There is a big difference between the two, and it must become even clearer to Christians. Christians have to choose, and the chose is determined by obedience to the word: "And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2.) Christians should be spiritually free and able to function in the world without withdrawing from it altogether, yet remove themselves from the world when it becomes an obstuction or hinderance to disciplehip. When we look at what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:2-4, it can only mean one thing: Christians are not to live by this world's standards, and that means not going to war as the world does. This pertains to more than spreading the gospel. Paul makes a clear distinction between Christians and the world. The difference between Christian standards and world standards is the theme throughout the New Testament. Being "unusual," "peculiar," "extraordinary," that's what makes the Christian different from other people. A Christian must not be ordinary, as that which is a matter of course. The extraordinary never merges with the natural or ordinary ways of the world. The extraordinary is the life described in the "Beatitudes," the life of followers of Jesus. One of them says, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Peacemakers and warriors can never be synonomous. They are completely opposite.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians instructing them with the same clarity and direct meaning that Jesus spoke--having no doubt as to what Jesus meant. "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but follow that which is good, both among yourselves and to all men." (Thessalonians 5:15.) The Church of Jesus must be lifted above the world to keep it pure and holy. We must never lower it to the level of the world, and therefore desecrate and pollute it with the cruelty of war and other unholy things associated with politics and law.

Romans 13:1-7, does not permit Christians to go to war and kill other human beings-- some of them being Christians also. As Christians we are the Temple of God. "Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1Corinthians 3:16.) If we defile our bodies, we defile the Temple of God. The Temple of God is holy. God will destroy those who defile it. "If any man defile the Temple of God, him will I destroy; for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are." (1 Corinthians 3:17.)

Question: How can a Christian participate in acts of war without defiling the Temple of God; using their bodies to kill and mutilate human beings, and also putting their own bodies in jeopardy of severe injury or death, therefore defiling the Temple of God? How can it be even imaginable that the holy Temple of God be involved in acts of war? How can it be permissable for a child of God to fight in a war? Wars are fought to protect or secure a nation or country because of worldly desires or lusts. Whether it be the good life, accumalation of material goods, the love of freedom, or the pursuit of happiness; whatever it may be, it is not spiritual but fleshly desires. Regardless of the motive, it pertains to loving the world. 1 John 2:15-16, tells us, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." This being true, how can we justify fighting and killing in a war of the world over the things that are in the world? Jesus would not let His disciples fight for His cause; what else can be of more importance? Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence." (John 18:36.)

The governments of the world are "ordained" by God, but ordained simply means appointed; that doesn't mean they are holy and righteous. Christians are to obey the laws and pay taxes, they are to be good citizens; going about their lives in simplicity and meekness. Christians are to be of low estate, they are not to seek high positions; Paul made that clear in Romans 12:16. "Be of the same mind one toward another, mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits." This being true, Christians should not be in the position to be, "an executer of wrath." Romans 13:4, speaking of rulers, says, "For he is the minister of God to thee for good---he is a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Verse 6 says, "For they are God's ministers---." Verse 7, "Render therefore to all their dues;" Paul with the use of he, they, and their, while refering to the higher powers, is setting them apart from the Christian. He is the minister of God for thee. Paul places the Christians in the position of low estate. Christians are not to be the executers of wrath.

In verse 8-10, Paul lays out how the Christian must live; how ro fulfill the law. "Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." Verse 9: "For this, thou shalt not commit adultry, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, thou shalt love thou neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Paul clearly tells the Christians how to live their lives while being subject to the higher powers. The Christians are spoken of one way, while the higher powers are spoken of another way. This clearly separates the two groups. Christians cannot possibly be executers of wrath while holding a civil position, killing in a war, or even being violent in any way; and at the same time be obedient to Paul's commands.

Using the interpretation of Romans 13:1-7, as an exception to the rules for a Christian life, is a misinterpretation of an enormous magnitude. Following that interpretation and ignoring many other scriptures that are to the contrary, is reading into the Bible that which allows a Christian society to serve two masters. It allows Christians to blend in with the ungodly; having fleshly desires and lusts of worldly nature, fighting and killing in the name of patriotism: Baptized belivers attempting to serve two masters--Jesus said it is impossible. Using Romans 13:1-7, to clear the way for killing is wrong. "Render therefore unto Ceasar the things which are Ceasar's; and unto God the things that are God's." In this saying Jesus makes it clear how Christians are to be subject to the higher powers. The things that are God's consist of obedience to his word--holiness. We are to love Him with all our heart, with all our soul and all our mind. How can anyone even imagine that the things that are Ceasar's consist of the service of a child of God executing wrath by killing for him (Ceasar) in a war. The service of allegiance to the doctrine of Christ belongs to God. If we do anything for Ceasar that violates the doctrine of Jesus Christ, then we are rendering to Ceasar that which is God's.

There is no debate to whether those in ruling power of civil governments are ministers of God, put in place to enforce laws and direct civil obedience; but they are ministers of God to the Christians, not of the Christians. It is the system, or plan that has been put in place, not each individual. Those that make up the civil governments may be evil; they are just part of the system which is of the world-- not spiritual. Paul states in Romans 13:4-5, "For he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for concience sake." This is the way governments are supposed to function, but we all know, that is not the way it is in all cases.

At this early period, the Christians were usually associated by the heathens with the Jews, and the Jews were noted for disturbances and turbulence. The fires that broke out a few years later in the Jewish uprising that led to the destruction of Jerusalem, were already smoldering wherever there were those of Jewish blood. Many Christians were Jews by birth. There was a danger that Christians, especialy under persecution, would be inclined to make disturbance. Paul was not giving an order for Christians to be subject to the ruling powers by going out and fighting in wars or doing any kind of violence. He was ordering them to be subject by being peaceable, and not to revolt against an order of discipline by the magistrates. The magistrates that governed at that time had the right to use the sword against those that were unruly. In Processions, a sword would go before the magistrates to show that he had that power.

Things must be taken into account and put into proper prospective in this order by Paul in Romans 13. Instead of authorizing Christians to perform acts of violence and killing while in a civil position, he was actually ording them to be peaceful and not to make disturbance, in other words to be passive especialy under persecution. That's what he meant by being subject to the higher authorities. A few verses of Romans 13, are used by many to justify fighting and killing as a civil duty, although it doesn't mean that at all. Christian are told not to be any part of the higher powers. We go back to Romans 12:16, where Paul says, "Be of the same mind one toward another, mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits." Christians are not to be bothered with "high things" such as positions of authority; but to lower themselves to men of low estate, men who are content with necessities of life, men who are under the authorities.

Something to consider now, and at that time: Soldiers were hired by the government, they were, and are now, performing a job for pay. At times they become "hired killers." There is no draft now; no one has to enlist in the armed forces. Everyone knows they may be ordered to go into combat to kill and mutilate other humans; that's what the armed forces are for. True men and women of God should defy unto death any draft or order that requires killing or commiting acts of violence for any reason. No Christian should ever volunteer.

To sum up what Paul wrote in Romans 12 and 13: He starts off by telling Christians how to live: presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. He tells us not to be conformed to this world. He tells us if possible to live peaceable with all men. We are told to avenge not ourselves but rather give place unto wrath: "for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord,"-- We are told to overcome evil with good. Paul tells us to be under the higher powers, rendering all their dues. He goes on to say that we are to love one another, for that fulfills all the law. He then states part of the law and says they are all summed up by the saying, "Love thy neighbor as thyself," and that love worketh no ill to his neighbor. One of the laws he quotes is, "Thou shalt not kill." Be mindful that this comes after admonishing Christians to be subject to the higher powers. This clearly emphasizes the Christians accountably to the laws of God while serving those in authority.

Jesus never said, not to resist evil except in a civil position or job. He never said, thou shalt not kill, except for a government as a soldier. He never gave an exception for committing any sin. Jesus never preached a double standard. It couldn't be much clearer: How can soldier fight, cripple, and kill in a war, and at the same time do violence to no man? War is loyalty to state and Christianity is loyalty to God. The Bible is clear on this subject. People just don't want to accept it, because war provides the good life in America. People are putting that good life and all the luxuries that come along with it, before love for God and obedience to Him.

Which side had you rather be on if you were wrong? Would you feel safer to be a pacifist, or a non-pacifist, as you stand before Jesus on the day of judgement? Forget about the world--think spiritual--which side clearly represents Jesus?