The Christian Calling to Resist Evil

In Matthew 5 Jesus offers some challenging words: “Do not resist an evil person” (Matthew 5:39). I want to offer today some first thoughts of a conversation rather than just a post to read. Please offer comments as you process these ideas and “leave a reply” below.

The ever thoughtful Adam Mills engaged this word with our staff as he pointed out the distinction offered in the New Testament about “resisting evil.” Matthew 5:39 tells us not to resist an evil person while James 4:7 tells us to “resist the devil.” There is a difference between an evil person and the evil they are acting upon or even the “evil one.” Jesus elevates the person, whether good or evil. After all, God “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). We are called to love all, because the Father loves all and we reflect His heart in the world. We war against the one who is unseen and seeks to destroy the good creation of God by provoking humans to all kinds of evil.

In the United Methodist tradition, we affirm the following vow at our baptism:

“Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever form they present themselves?” (United Methodist Hymnal, p.34)

We are to resist evil in this world as we proclaim with our words and actions the goodness and mercy of God revealed in Jesus Christ as He brings His Kingdom.

I honor the wrestling of our service men and women as they seek to honor their primary allegiance to Jesus Christ and their allegiance to their nation, laying down their lives for the sake of others. Is Jesus calling for total pacifism? Would Jesus call a nation to relinquish its military force in order to truly follow His teachings? Is there a way to love our enemies when we are charged to fight against them, even take lives? These are some great questions. While the following notion may not seem to apply directly I believe it does. When Jesus’ accusers were attempting to trap Him they asked about taxes. Jesus asked, “Whose face is on that coin?…Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:20-21).

Jesus acknowledges that we have a duty individually and as the community of His followers to the Kingdom of God. Yet, our national duty is also a part of our witness. We should reflect on the heart in which we comply with each duty – do we do it out of hatred or vengeance or even religious obligation, or do we comply with each out of love and humble service, caring especially for “the least of these.”

Romans 13, 1 Peter 2, and Titus 3 are among the chapters of the New Testament which admonish the early Christians to submit to governing authorities as far as it does not conflict with obeying the laws of God, which John Wesley summed up as “the holy law of love.” I am mindful that some of the earliest converts were even Roman centurions, officers, and soldiers. The call to follow Jesus did not demand they give up their vocation, but rather reflect the character of God in the carrying out of their duties. For this is truly what it means to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-14).

These are not easy concepts to wrestle with, but I believe we must if the Church is to take seriously the teachings of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and other New Testament teachings. After all, staying at the level of children is not an option. In Eugene Peterson’s words, “it’s time to grow up.” We must mature into the call of Jesus: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). I’m so encouraged to think that Christ, in offering Himself and the Holy Spirit the Father would send in His name, would make this possible for us. Let it be so in Jesus’ name!

Father, your Holy Spirit work within us, that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. May He raise us to new life also, even this side of heaven that we might be its citizens upon the earth. Amen.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount Session One

Pastor Philip introduces the Beatitudes! This video is meant to be used with the “Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount” Leader Guide for small groups. Enjoy and be blessed.

I Lift My Eyes to the Hills, From Whence Does My Happiness Come?

“I lift my eyes to the hills, from whence does my happiness come?”

Okay, maybe that’s not what Psalm 121:1 says, or any other verse in the Bible. However, joy is a trademark of the Christian life. It’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit who lives within every born again child of God! So what does this mean about happiness? Today after preaching on the life of Abraham and in particular, the story of Isaac on Mount Moriah, I wonder . . . does “The God Who Provides” provide for our happiness? Is that His promise? This occurs to me:

Abraham modeled a life of blessed endurance.

Endurance is  not the watchword of “happiness.” Picture a person enduring. Are they happy? Determined, yes. Purposeful, definitely. Happy? . . . When we think of endurance we think of hardship, trials, suffering, even danger. And that’s because this is usually why endurance is required. Abraham lived this. He is not just the father of blessing and faith; he is the father of blessed endurance. 

Those of us who are reading through the whole Bible in 2015 are 10 glorious chapters from finishing the Book of Exodus. Talk about endurance! Way to go. We are just one chapter away from finishing Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus was just betrayed, arrested, tried, tortured, crucified, and buried. Our Savior endured and suffered gladly so that we might be part of the blessing promised to Abraham. And we continue  to hear preaching through Genesis and the stories of the Patriarchs. Incidentally, one of the Patriarchs, Abraham’s grandson, is named Jacob. The Hebrew name Jacob translates in Greek to the name James. They are the same name. And James in the New Testament tells us this:

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. . . ¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:2-4, 12)

Prayer: Oh God, everything I need is found in You. The life you call me to, the life of obedience and faith, is not easy, but it is blessed. It is good. Anything else is counterfeit. I want the real thing. Help me endure. I choose to be happy, because you have set me free. Amen.

How Good Is It?

Today at Shalimar UMC we are hearing about “God’s Good Plan.” Christians along with Jews can truly refer to “Father Abraham,” because the father of the Jews is the father of the promise on which Christians base our faith. However, this father of our faith was not perfect, and neither was his wife. This week we reflect on that question they must have had that those of us trying to live by faith wrestle with too: “How good is it?”

Yes, God has a plan, a rescue mission, a project of restoration and salvation. It’s a good plan. Jeremiah 29 tells us that God’s plan for His people Israel was “to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” But this is written to a people in exile, punished for not living in God’s world God’s way. Once we join God in faith, we encounter stipulations and situations that make us question how good it really is. It certainly isn’t good if good is supposed to be synonymous with easy. God came to Abram and Sarai when they were past the age of believing the promise of a child could be possible. Then, God made them wait some more. He didn’t tell them exactly how the promise would come to be. He didn’t tell them exactly what to do in the meantime, at least not step by step. So there was a lot of room for interpretation and a frustrating lot of room to improvise. So that’s exactly what they did. Is this sounding familiar to any of us reading this today trying to live according to God’s plan and promises, but who want a turn by turn map of instructions?

Two thoughts. A friend once told me: “If you’re ever wondering what God wants you to do, just keep doing the last thing He told you. He’ll tell you the next move when it’s time.” Second is the very reason Abraham is such a revered man in our faith history: he was a friend of God. He wasn’t just a servant. He knew God, like personally the way friends know each other. So, God didn’t have to tell Him everything step by step. Abraham knew God’s heart and was able to act accordingly. We can too.