A Big Step.

When you realize that the worldly approach to adversity - i.e. to defend yourself and to retaliate - leads to endless conflict and at last turn to Jesus' teachings of non-violent resistance you have taken a big step in the right direction.

The world teaches us to be strong, tough, even violent as a response to life's struggles.

But this only leads to more violence and war.

Jesus said: "'You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."  But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer.  But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.'"  Matthew 5:38,39 (NRSV)

And: "'You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'"  Matthew 5:43,44 (NRSV)

This is far from the practices of Fundamentalist and Evangelical Christians who wage Spiritual Warfare and claim that hate is a Biblical imperative.  

You would think that they had never heard of Jesus.

But it is not just Fundamentalists and Evangelicals who ignore Jesus' message.

The Traditional Churches teach a form of Christianity based on guilt and fear.

They teach that humankind is fallen because of the sin of Adam and Eve and needs a redeemer in the person of Jesus Christ to rescue them.

Many preach a Just War which is in direct contradiction of Jesus' teachings.

  

So when we lay down the sword and turn to Jesus' words we enter a new phase where non-violent love guides us onward.

When we follow Jesus' instruction to love God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and with all our might and to love our neighbor as ourselves we pass through the door of the sanctuary - which is the human heart - and become Children of God.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: Moscow Theological Academy Flickr via Compfight cc

(The image has been slightly modified.)