“It takes balls to be a Christ Follower… big hairy ones!”
I said that. On Facebook. To Jason.
Jason blogged about defending yourself as a Christian against persecution after he Facebooked about it. His Facebook post got a few comments. Nothing on his blog though. I would have liked to have seen a bigger debate. Silence makes me uncomfortable. Nevertheless, behind it all, he and I decided I would blog about it too.
I believe Jesus is very specific about how to handle our enemies. Under the heading in my Bible, “An Eye for an Eye” (Matthew 5:38-42), Jesus says not to resist our enemy, turn and offer the other cheek if someone strikes us, if someone sues us we are to give them more than they are asking for, if someone forces us to go one mile we are to go an extra mile with them, and to give to whoever asks and do not turn away from a borrower.
In the next paragraph headed, “Love for Enemies” (Matthew 5:44), Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
What?
That not only goes against the worldy view of getting even. It goes against the grain for most people.
But, Christ performed most of these acts of loving His enemies during His crucifixion. When He was struck He did not strike back. He allowed Himself to not only be whipped, but also to be made into a human whipping post which removed most, if not all, of the skin from his back. He did not defend Himself in the court. He prayed for the leaders while He hung dying on that cross… “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Forgive them.
For they know not what they do.
He knew they had no clue they had just murdered their Savior.
Sometimes that verse makes me wonder if God will forgive others who know not what they do.
Like Atheists.
Like Muslims, Shiites, Buddhists, etc.
Like Homosexuals.
Like Drug Addicts.
Anyway. I don’t want to get off topic.
I believe, as Children of God, we are told not to defend ourselves against Christian persecution. We are to just take it. He was talking to His disciples when He gave those instructions. He meant us, His followers.
It takes balls to be a Christ Follower. It is hard. People will make fun of you. Even those who supposedly love you. Even your own family. Even your own friends and neighbors. Even your boss and co-workers. You can count on it. You can expect it. You can also rejoice in it.
Yes, I said rejoice!
Matthew 5:3-12
The Beatitudes (source www.biblegateway.com)
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
PS: It has been brought to my attention that Shiites are Muslims. Now you know how much I know about World Religions. Woops. I didn’t delete what I wrote b/c if I did one of my comments would make no sense. Thanks.
What say you?
Heidi: I did comment over at Jason’s blog. I am thinking more of persecution here as being more of a physical nature while Jason seemed to be talking about slander. Physical persecution is “immediate” with immediate results. Slander is more of a sneak attack that may take awhile to find its legs. While physical persecution is well…physical…slander or something like that attacks our character. As I wrote on Jason’s blog, I don’t think it is wise to immediately react to slander because in time the person who is spreading it may be found to be a jerk. But in time, with the right spirit and right heart, making a comment about the slander may be in order. I reckon you can call that defending yourself. As for physical persecution that is another story.
Just one verse that came to mind. One that I often repeat to myself when I feel like I need to defend my Christianity. It is Romans 8:31(?, I think) “If God is for us, who can be against us?”. It helps me to just let the conflict slide and turn the other cheek. It is so human nature to want to grab a sword and go to battle for our beliefs. And if someone sues me (which is not too far from my reality at the moment), I should give them more than they ask for? That is a tough one to swallow. So hey, all I can do today is pray that God give this person what they need, and if that should somehow happen to come out of my pocket…….it was God’s will. Ouch!
It’s strange (to me) that Matthew, which of all the Gospels is pehaps the fullest of tough talk and righteous indignation (eg Matt 23:13-24), is also the fullest on this other side.
Even Judas — Matthew is very tender with Judas. eg Matt 26:50: Judas is the only person Jesus ever calls “friend”.
Maybe the thing is to know your mission and stick to that — it might include going on the offensive, like Jesus did in the temple — but not to “react”.
The Christian ethic is radical. Perhaps if it was more “sensible” it would not be so inspiring.
Ivan
ps Shiites are Muslims
Ive been debating (with myself) whether or not to comment on this post.. I’m kind of coming at this two fold: first, very few people in this country (USA) can claim “persecution” due to religious beliefs. We are very spoiled.. People in places like China and India are TRULY being persecuted, beat and thrown in jail for YEARS for their beliefs.. And from what i’ve heard the majority of them do not defend themselves and the “church” (as in body of Christ, not a denomination) is growing in leaps & bounds in those countries, with TRUE revival.
I have been slandered for my beliefs. I 99% of the time just take it. But as a disclaimer, I’m one of those very non-confrontational people anyway.
[...] finally, before I get to the personal stuff, PRAYER ALERT FOR MY FRIEND HEIDI @ Candid Chatter. She’s gotten caught up in the illegitimate Expertise of me. See, no matter how honest, and [...]
oops. It linkbacked. Uhm…Hya Heidi! (grin)
Corey, Adam, vegetablesoup… whoever you really are! (Yes, you have the exact SAME IP address).
You are done. Know why? Because I am done. Your drama and hatred and abuse… go find another person to pester. I have had it. Really. You came to me under major assumptions of your own and you want to soap box every time you get to my page. Be gone. You’re a pest looking for a fight.
Enough!
And you’re wasting your life with Christianity.
How come it didn’t block you? Shoot. Must try that again. Hmph!
Ahhh, there we go. Bye Corey, Adam, vegetable soup.