Page 005 - Does God Support Crime?
*Verses from NIV
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (NIV: Matthew 5:38-42)
Should Christians never fight back and let all types of people take advantage of them?
Jesus was instructing His disciples on what type of attitude they should have. They should not be self-seeking, combative, try to get even, or seek re-venge. The Lord emphasized the matter of meekness, which is, gentle, deferential and compliant towards others. As those living in the kingdom of God, Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (NIV: Matthew 5:3)
Nevertheless, Jesus Himself never lost sight of the real world and the evil that was within it. Right before He was crucified He instructed His disciples in this way, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (NIV: Luke 22:35-36).
Did Jesus change? No! God established law that good would punish evil. (NIV: Romans 13:1-6)