A KING'S KIND OF CONFRONTATION

Biblical Text: Romans 12:17-18

17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 

18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 

We live in society by a civilized code of conduct. A civil society commands the observance of justice and the maintenance of peace. But what happens when society is not civil or just? How should we respond to wrongdoing, whether it’s against us or others? I’ve heard enough cuss words in my lifetime to know that man does not do so well in controlling and directing his response to even the smallest injustice.

On this eve of the celebration of Dr. King and his legacy, there is no more fitting scripture text to describe how he lived his life. He was a man of peace. At a gathering of students at the University of California in Berkeley, Dr. King spoke to them about the power of non-violence. In his address to the students, he said, “Non-violent resistance is not cowardice. It’s not a method of stagnant passivity and deadening complacency. The non-violent protestor is just as opposed to evil as the violent protestor…but he resists without violence. It may be physically non-aggressive, but it is certainly spiritually aggressive.” We saw these words played out in Dr. King’s life. His peaceful marches for justice have left a lasting legacy.

Non-violent protest is much more than mere self-control. It’s the application of biblical principals in action. Dr. King knew this. He knew Christianity requires that our honorable and peaceable conduct should be a distinct part of our relationship with man. Hear how the Living Bible translates our text. It says, “Don’t quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible.”

“As much as possible!” I had some thoughts about that. But let me put a spiritual stop to those thoughts right now. “As much as possible” is not an excuse, it’s just an acknowledgment. The Apostle Paul knew you would confront troublemakers in the world. He knew that grumpy people would get on your nerves. He knew that complainers and egotists and dissenters and warmongers and adulterers and liars and thieves would stir up your carnal wrath. But his acknowledgment was not a green light for us to “give them a piece of our mind” and turn up the volume of our disdain to a deafening roar. We, as Believers, live by a different code of conduct.

Non-violence is a spiritual response to a carnal calamity.

“Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” Can you honestly claim to be a strong believer if you cuss out your neighbor, pick a fight with your co-workers, treat children with disdain, or spew hateful language toward an adversary? Today is a good day, on this eve of Dr. King’s day, to take a closer look at just what non-violence means to a Believer.

A KING'S KIND OF CONFRONTATION

Non-violence is an expression of God’s universal justice.

The GOD of the Bible established the separation between good and evil “in the beginning” and meant for His good to prevail.

Still, there are many people who believe in non-violence and yet do not believe in God. They reconcile the separation of good and evil in their own minds by believing that the universe is, in some form, on the side of justice…that there is some universal justice that everyone is entitled to. They believe there is something unfolding in the universe that is an unconscious process. They are only partly right.

It is God who grants men and women the ability to recognize evil. And it is God who plants in our hearts the desire to eliminate injustice. The speed with which it is eradicated rests in the hands of God, using believers who “stand” with Him on the side of good. It is our calling to “…put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand in the evil day and having done ALL, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13). We press forward, standing against evil and injustice, but the outcome belongs to God.

Believers must press on in spite of the evil around us, because the moral destiny of our communities and the broader world civilization is at stake. Our self-respect as Believers is at stake.

Non-violence is an expression of God’s universal justice.

Non-violence does not seek to humiliate or defeat, but to win over.

The goal of kindness toward evil is to defeat our opponent through friendship and understanding. Jesus told us how to address every situation. He said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12)

How else can we live in a non-violent world unless we learn to treat others with the same care and compassion that we desire for ourselves? The aftermath of violence is always bitterness, while the aftermath of non-violence is reconciliation and the creation of a beloved community. Expressions of love, tolerance, forgiveness, and patience awakens in our oppressors a sense of shame and points them in a new direction. It attacks the evil without harming the evildoer.

This is not a condemnation of self-defense. When evil confronts us, and there is no where to turn, we must, of necessity, protect ourselves. But reciprocal evil is a last alternative, when there is nowhere else to turn. And even then, there have been bold Believers who have chosen martyrdom over murder. Believers like Stephen, whose oppressors stoned him while he declared “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge!” (Acts 7:60)

As Believers, we are tested every day to love our enemies and pray for those who mock us and use us. The truth is that they are only mocking and using Christ; and only for as long as He will allow it. “Be not deceived. God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7).

So…our non-violence is an expression of God’s universal justice, and His desire to win the lost.

But there is one more characteristic of a Believers non-violence.

Non-violence is an expression of Christ’s Agape love.

The Greek language uses four words for love. There is eros or romantic love. There is philia or reciprocal love. There is storge or familial love. Each has its place.

But AGAPE love is the creative, redemptive love Jesus showed toward us. It is this love that He desires us to share with all mankind.

Agape love is divine and unconditional. It’s demonstrated through selflessness, sacrifice, and compassion for others regardless of their actions or circumstances. Jesus said, “...Resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other cheek.” Agape is that “turn the other cheek” love. It’s what Jesus did for us.

Remember Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan? He told that parable to a certain lawyer who tempted Jesus with a question. The lawyer said, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (full story: Luke 10:25-37). Jesus replied as He often did with a reciprocal question, saying “What does the law say?” The lawyer rattled off what we call “the Golden Rule”: “Love God with all your heart; and love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said, “Do this and you will live (eternally)”. The smart lawyer…they’re all smart you know!...he mocked Jesus saying “Who is my neighbor?” That’s when Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus said a man on his way back from Jerusalem was robbed, beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. He could well have been a Jew. But a priest and a Levite passed by, saw the man…yet they didn’t even stop to help. But a Samaritan whom the Jews hated, did all he could for this stranger who, under different circumstances, might well have been his enemy, for the Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. When Jesus finished his story, He asked the lawyer, ‘Who among the three men…priest, Levite and Samaritan…was a neighbor to the man who was mugged?’ The lawyer said, “The one who showed mercy!” Jesus then told the lawyer, “Go and do the same thing!”

That Samaritan is a great example of turning the other cheek. He could have ignored or even hated the man who needed his help. Unlike the priest and the Levite, he may well have had good reason to walk away. But AGAPE love kicked in. He went above and beyond average kindness…taking agape love to the highest level…to the nth degree.

You know all about AGAPE love. One day Jesus showed YOU some agape love when He bore your sins on the cross of Calvary. He could have turned away and left you with no hope of redemption, but He saw way into your future, to the life you would one day live, and He made himself a sacrifice out of His love for you. He saw your sins. He investigated your circumstances. He realized your guilt. And He witnessed your weakness. “For when [you] were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)

King Jesus believes in non-violent confrontation. It’s in His DNA. He confronted his enemies while nailed to a cross, doing the only non-violent thing He could do. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And in those final words we witness our King’s kind of confrontation.

It’s a confrontation that expresses mercy.

It's a confrontation that expresses love.

It's a confrontation that expresses forgiveness.

It's a confrontation that hates the evil deed but loves the sinner.

That’s our King’s kind of confrontation…King Jesus!

Non-violence is an expression of God’s universal justice.

Non-violence does not seek to humiliate or defeat, but to win over.

Non-violence is an expression of Christ’s Agape love.