Originally posted by lambslove
Jesus continued, But here is what I saylove your enemies! Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. In that way, you will be behaving like true children of your Father in heaven. If you only love those who love you, what good is that?...Even pagans do that. Matthew 5:44-48
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood people, but against the evil rulers and wicked authorities of the spiritual world, against those unseen forceful powers of darkness who rule this world, and against depraved spirits in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
It couldn't be more clear!!
That is true on "persecutions, spitefulness, people who hate you".
[You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.] Matt 5:38+39
That eye for an eye thing, was set up for the law. But people used it to get revenge or vigilanty style law. Jesus was mostly refering to [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]-for-tat for that kind of stuff that happens to people often.
A slap to the cheek is nothing more than an insult. If you ever lived in a rough place, slaps are none existant. I was born in D.C. and raised just outside of it, very rough place. People didn't slap you, they picked up weapons, or used there fist. I have ran from many gangs, who wanted to do more than slap you.
There is a difference between insults and injurys. Insults are mentel punchs, that don't bother you much unless you let them. Now injurys are physical and can ruin yours and the people who count on you, lives.
You have to take the bible as a whole.
The most simple verse, A time of peace and a time of war.
If you were watching some grown up beat up a little kid, would you do something? It would be a sin not to. Even if all you can do is shout at them to stop, atleast you are doing something.
In Acts this couple lied about bringing the offering, guess what? The Holy Spirit dropped them dead. Now you might say, that was God and not us. Well look at the old testiment, God sent them to destroy many people in many wars. What is the difference if God does it, or if he sends us to do it.
We are commanded to take care of those who can't take care of themselves. Jesus said, if anyone offends the least in the kingdom, they have offended him.
Because of sin, sometimes you have to stand and fight physicaly.