Christian Rights and Protest Part 1 of 3

Should Christians take part in causes that reflect what they believe? How about if we know we're right and can use Scripture to back it up? Is it our “duty” to fight for what is morally right? Most Christians that I've spoken to say “yes” but let's not rely on human wisdom and reasoning; let's see what the bible says...

Jesus lived in a country which was occupied by a pagan power. There were heathens and Romans walking the streets of Jerusalem, the holy city. Most Jews despised the Romans and referred to them as “dogs.” Some even banded together to use violence against the Romans when the occasion was ripe and they called themselves the Zealots.

As the Son of God in God's land, what steps did He urge against the overlordship of the Romans? Absolutely none! There are no words of resentment, no threats, no instruction to his disciples that they must resist the Roman rule or seek to get rid of it. There is not one instance in the whole of the four Gospels records where Jesus came into conflict with the Roman authorities, except at the time of his final trial when false charges were laid against Him.

Even the occasion when a tense political situation was brought to his attention and his opinion on the sensitive questions was requested, he instead dealt with the root cause of the problem and not its particular manifestation of it.

Ex: Jesus was reminded of an occasion when Pilate massacred the Galileans. (Luke 13:1-5)

Jesus did not focus on that incident nor did he pronounce judgement, or rally the troops in retaliation. He made no mention whatsoever on the motivation of the soldiers or their commanders but instead on the nature of the victims.

Vs 2 “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no!”

(it was believed at the time that if you suffered an injustice or physically, that it was because you were a sinner in secret – remember the false accusations towards Job?)

And this was followed by a message of repentance.

Ex: On another occasion, Jesus was asked about the Roman taxation.

“Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?” (Luke 20:22)

Jesus made no reference as to the extent to which a conquering nation should apply taxation or its subjects, but instead, He spoke about the demands of God upon His subjects.

“Render...unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's and unto God the things which be God's.” (Luke 20:25)

Rules to Live By

Jesus' words and actions were in accordance with what he commanded his disciples to live by. His message was never to rise up against the enemy and demand that wrongs were righted. Instead, it is a message of submission...

“Ye have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matt 5:38-42)

The Roman soldier had the right to ask any Jew to carry his pack for one mile. Far from resenting this imposition, Jesus told his followers to volunteer to go a second mile. Jesus goes further and says...

“You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that 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.”(Matt 5:43-45)

These words are far removed from protest, retaliation or violence. Note that the disciple's behavior is not determined by the “other man”, it is determined by God. The Christian life is directed by the commands of our Father, not by prevailing circumstances.

(This has been scaled down and edited for brevity's sake. Click here for entire original article)