I think we all have heard, and maybe even saw, the "attackers" that "stormed" into a Christian church recently. Yes, these people violated the law of the land by doing so but how should the church respond? This was a great opportunity to show Christ to your enemies literally! Why not turn the other cheek, give them water, turn the music up and worship God?
If only God's people were as obedient as Satan's... - My Pastor
How should the church respond to its enemies? I think God made it very clear but why is there seemingly no display of this in American society? We see it in the depths of Africa - where Christians not only forgive their Islamist terrorists from slaying their people and destroying their village but they even go so far as to VISIT THEIR ENEMIES IN PRISON! What love! What compassion! What forgiveness!
Would an American from that targeted church go to visit their enemies in jail? Probably not. They'll sue and speak against them publicly because all know that a lot of American Christianity is a cloak of hypocrisy.
Matt. 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Rom 12:19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Mat 5:38-39 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
I love the way Matthew Henry said things, especially here:
"So it explains that of our Saviour (Mat_5:39), Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Instead of meditating how to revenge one wrong, prepare to receive another. When men's passions are up, and the stream is strong, let it have its course, lest by an unseasonable opposition it be made to rage and swell the more. When others are angry, let us be calm; this is a remedy against revenge.."
It was difficult for me to learn this. I have been in some very traumatic situations in my life from childhood till even recently. I have found that God's way is the best way and keeping love in the forefront does wonders for our healing from the evils done to us.
Americans live such a life of comfort compared to some in the world. Discomfort is hard to bear in such a society. We aren't promised our utopia of comfort will last either and it could be for the better that it doesn't because it has made deceptive religion primetime. When people suffer it can make them better. I wouldn't give back the suffering in my life because then I'd lose the lessons it taught me and the fruit it produced.
How should the church respond to enemies? We know the answer. Be like the Saviour to a lost and dying world - Love them, bless them, do good to them, pray for them, feed them, give them drink, turn the other cheek and don't avenge yourselves or give place to wrath but overcome evil with good! THAT is how true Christians respond.
