In our book on the Kingdom, Steve and I spend considerable time looking at the prophecies of Isaiah that describe the coming Kingdom. To give you just a taste, we note that Isaiah 2 predicts a kingdom where its citizens, famously, will beat their swords into plow shares or farming implements, and their spears into pruning hooks and learn war no more.
We look at Isaiah 9 where the coming one is described as the Prince of Peace. We take note of Isaiah 11 and Isaiah 65 where we are told that in the new Kingdom there is such amazing transformation that the wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, and the cow and the bear will be together.And then we look at Jesus who taught us to pray that the kingdom would come—so that God’s will would be done in our lives on earth right now as it is in heaven. And with those passages from Isaiah in mind, and the view that the Kingdom breaks into this present age, it is not surprising that Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, to pray for them, to even give them money and certainly to do no violence to them.
Surveys and polls show that evangelicals are those in America who beat the drums of war the loudest when the country is threatened. Most people in this world do not like war, but they believe it is childishly naïve to think we can function without out it or that we should refuse to participate in it. But remember when Isaiah spoke of natural enemies living harmoniously together, he did say “and a little child will lead them.”
Kingdom people are not childish, and they aren’t naïve, but they are willing to let the little child lead them to treat enemies with a revolutionary unconditional love and then leave the results and the vengeance to God. Sometimes people ask, “Are you a pacifist?” “No,” I answer, “I am not a fan of that term. I really hear the call of the Kingdom to be love activists or an active “lovists.” But whatever you call it, in God’s kingdom we learn war no more.
Scriptures
Isaiah 2:4
4He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Isaiah 11:6
The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
Matthew 5:44-48
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Romans 12:19-21
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Thank you Tom. I really needed that this morning. We have so much more to learn, still, from Jesus.
ReplyDeleteIs a policeman armed with deadly force unfit to be part of the Kingdom? Should he not be allowed to stop a home invasion or at least detain and bring the criminal to justice? Is self defense the same as revenge or wrath? Is stopping a crime an act of evil or good? Must I wait for a police force to come and protect my family, or might I do something myself to protect their lives? Is not our military an extension of our police force charged with protecting the country?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous raises some very good questions that need to be carefully answered in light of Jesus' message. The manner in which the questions are asked makes it seem as though the questioner already has his/her mind made up about disciples of Jesus using deadly force. But let me ask another question: Are supportive arguments for this based on the words -- yes, even commands -- of Jesus or are they based on what seems pragmatic or effective. This discussion generates a great deal of emotion in many of us. We have some strong traditions we have never questioned. .
ReplyDeleteIn other contexts we caution people that they must not go by their feelings or their traditions, but by God's word. We must take that same medicine. We will discover that it is not so easy, but Kingdom thinking means surrendering any tradition and any emotion to the will of God. As one author, who we quote in our book, says, "Jesus was not crucified because his words made so much sense to people.
I think as Christian individuals, we must follow Jesus' example. However, nations are not individuals, and policemen or soldiers do not act for themselves. The government is allowed to wield the sword, is it not, for punishment or defense? My prayer is that our leaders are wise, and careful with their use of power.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very useful exercise to read the plan for Christians described at the end of Romans 12 and contrast that with the way God uses civil governments in Romans 13.
ReplyDeleteThe Christian and the state have starkly contrasting roles. The state has a role (from God) in maintaining civil order. Governments will not be righteous (we can count on that) but some or any government and authority is better than anarchy. It is the state’s role to be an agent of God’s wrath when punishment of evildoers is needed.
But it is not the role of Christians to be agents of God’s wrath. “On the contrary” they are to overcome evil with good, with that good being done to enemies.
• The state bears the sword,
• The Christian does not.
• God uses the state for one thing, the Christians for another.
Of all the Kingdom teachings none will be more challenging for some of us than Jesus' message about non-resistance, non-violence, and love of enemies. As you ponder these subjects keep in mind that Jesus' teachings on these subjects only "fit" when put in the wider context of the real meaning of the Kingdom. Helping understand that meaning is the goal of Volume One in our
ReplyDeleteseries. God bless.