NON-RESISTANCE AS A PATTERN OF LIFE

NON-RESISTANCE AS A PATTERN OF LIFE IS ONE ASPECT OF THE LARGER DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

1. Brethren people from the beginning have insisted that purity of life is inseparable from the purity of doctrine, If we believe the clear teaching of the Bible, then we ought to demonstrate that by a clear manner of life. This fact so clearly taught by the Epistle James 2:14, 26, has led Brethren people to insist that the Bible teaches separ­ation from the world. After unfolding the whole doctrine of salvation in the first eleven chapters of the Book of Romans, the apostle Paul launches into an impassioned ap­peal for separation from the world. "I beseech you therefore Brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:1-2). He then unfolds a whole series of obligations resting upon the believer, among which is one directly related to the exercise of force.

2. Romans 12:17-21 is clear teaching on issue at hand, name­ly, the exercise of force. If we really believe that there is a sovereign God in whose hands rests the matter of perfect judgment, then we ought to let the matter of vengeance in His hands. In His own way, and in His own time, and in absolute perfection He will mete out judgment that will be good, and holy, and ultimately bring good to the believer.