Jesus Christ gave 2 different teachings to 2 different groups of people in 2 different circumstances. How can we know what to do?
1) In the sermon on the mount, Jesus Christ taught the principle—to fulfill the real meaning of the Ten Commandment Law—do not retaliate in vengeance when you have suffered wrongly…
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. (Matthew 5:38-42)
2) Later, just before he was betrayed to be crucified, he taught the disciples that now they were going to be sent out on an extended journey into the world without His physical presence and they needed to be prepared to defend themselves…
Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied. “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.” “Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.” “That’s enough,” he said. (Luke 22:35-38)
When should we “turn the other cheek?” When should we “gird on the sword?” Let’s consider what happened a few hours later…
When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. (Luke 22:49-51)
There is a time to suffer wrong and there is a time for legal self-defense. The choice may not be easy. But, there is never a time for vengeful retaliation. Vengeance belongs to God.
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 32:35), say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD. (Romans 12:19)
Likewise, the Apostle Paul taught 2 different teachings to 2 different groups of people in 2 different circumstances. How can we know what to do?
1) Romans 14 — Don’t judge those who are weak in the faith…
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. (Romans 14:1)
The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. (Romans 14:3)
- The one with liberty to do something is told not to have contempt. God must have known that those who have liberty to function with less legalism would be more emotional. They would not tend to consider the situation from a legal viewpoint. And, from their emotional viewpoint, they would tend to look at those who do not have liberty with emotional contempt. God specifically told these people not to do this, but to accept one another.
- The one with a stricter legal restriction is told not to judge. God must have known that those with a stricter legal restriction would be more legalistic. They would not tend to consider the situation from an emotional viewpoint. And, from their legal viewpoint, they would tend to bring the situation to a trial and make a judgment between what they considered to be right and wrong. God specifically told these people not to do this, but to accept one another.
Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. (Romans 14:4)
So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. (Romans 14:10)
- Why do you condemn another believer? This is the question to the one with a stricter legal restriction. This is the question to the one who would tend to bring the situation to a trial and make a judgment between what they considered to be right and wrong.
- Why do you look down on another believer? This is the question to the one with liberty to do something. This is the question to the one who would tend to look at those who do not have liberty with emotional contempt.
- Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. This is the answer to both believers. God will judge!
So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. (Romans 14:12-13)
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19)
So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. (Romans 14:22-23)
2) Galatians 2 — Oppose those who teach false doctrine…
Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. (Galatians 2:3-4)
If Paul had acted according to Romans 14—”accepted the one who was weak in the faith”—regarding Titus, he would have submitted to the false doctrine they were teaching about circumcision. But, he did not…
We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. (Galatians 2:5)
Thus Paul girded on the sword and “did not give in to them for a moment.” We need to have the same attitude towards a brother who is forcing a false doctrine on us.
Later, Paul was faced with another false doctrine…
For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. (Galatians 2:12-13)
If Paul had according to Romans 14—”accepted the one who was weak in the faith”—regarding Peter’s actions, he would have joined in with the hypocrisy. But, he did not…
But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. (Galatians 2:11)
When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? (Galatians 2:14)
Once again Paul girded on the sword and “withstood him to his face … in front of them all.” We need to have the same attitude towards a brother who is forcing a false doctrine on us.
When should we accept those who are weak in the faith? When should we oppose those who teach false doctrine?
There is a time to “accept the one who was weak in the faith … and keep whatever you believe about these things between yourself and God. (Romans 14)” And, there is a time to “refuse to give into them for a single moment and withstand a brother to their face. (Galatians 2)”
The difference depends on whether the subject is about disputable matters. Some things are non-negotiable fundamental deal-breakers concerning the truth of the gospel. But, before you do anything make sure the subject is right. I’ve seen an awful lot of unnecessary damage done when Christians go to war against each other about trivial things. Things like the war between the big-enders and little-enders of Gulliver’s Travels. When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10), I wonder what subjects God will approve of to justify war between his children.
The difference depends on whether the brother or sister is forcing themselves against your conscience. But, before you do anything, make sure your conscience is clear—please read 8 Truths About the Conscience—because I’ve seen an awful lot of unnecessary damage done when Christians go to war against each other without clear consciences. If you are strong in the faith and have a clear conscience about the matter, still don’t do anything until you consider the rest of the instructions from the Apostle Paul…
We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:1-6)
And, finally, at the end of the Apostle Paul’s instruction to all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people (Romans 1:7), he told them what to do when they encountered those kind of brethren. Walk away! Not battle! Not warfare! Not church discipline! Just each one, individually, walk away…
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. (Romans 16:17-19)