17 June 2019 - beyond nonviolence

Today's Readings

(Audio)

offer no resistance to one who is evil.

Jesus offers us a radically new and different way to respond to the power struggles in this world. He himself demonstrates it as he allows evil men to crucify him. It is more than a refusal to participate in the broken systems of society. It is not a mere protest of non-violence such as he would later inspire others to perform. It is an act of love. Merely not responding does not change situations or society. Only love can do that.

Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

Jesus does not merely allow his life to be taken. He gives it to us. And when it becomes a gift for us it can transform us and give new life to we who receive it. This is how our love should be as well. Not only should we not fight back, not only should we respond without grumbling, but we should lay our lives down for others in love.

Paul knows that this is his calling as well. As a missionary he is worried about causing others to stumble, especially when faced with "afflictions, hardships, constraints, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, vigils, [and] fasts". It seems like all one could do to not fight back, to not speak bitter words, and to simply maintain one's own peace. But Paul insists on loving intentionally even in those circumstances, "by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left".

The Holy Spirit makes all of those fruits available to us as well. The weapons of righteousness are available whether we are facing glory or dishonor, insult or praise. It doesn't even matter what others think of us. When we begin to realize and rely on the Spirit we experience life, rejoicing, and riches that this world cannot recognize or understand.

We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful;
as unrecognized and yet acknowledged;
as dying and behold we live;
as chastised and yet not put to death;
as sorrowful yet always rejoicing;
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

Let us love intentionally even to those who don't understand, even to those who would cause us harm, or at best don't appreciate our efforts. Let this be our song of praise to God.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.