THE POSITIVE PRESENTATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE IN WAR

THE POSITIVE PRESENTATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE IN WAR

lb. The doctrine of non-resistance is clearly stated in the New Testament

1.     Matt. 5:38-42 RV "Resist not him that is evil" (39).
2.     Luke 6:27-29 RV "To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other".
3. Rom. 12:19-21 "Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto wrath" (19).
4, 1 Pet. 2:18-24 "A man endureth grief, suffering wrongfully" (19).

lc. The Scriptures present spiritual principles to guide each individual believer. This principle is being set in contrast with the principle of justice established by the law. (Exod. 21:23-25). Whereas strict retaliation was permitted and provided under the law (but even here, it was to be exercised by government) the whole motive is changed under grace, and all vengeance is left to God. In fact, by comparing each one this is rather clearly set forth. Matt. 5:38-42, cf. 43-45; Luke 6:27-29, cf. 32-35; Rom. 12:19-21; 1 Pet. 2:18-24.

2c. These Scriptures are concerned with personal conduct of individual believers. The very nature of each exhortation is such that only individual believers and their conduct is being considered. These commands are not delivered to groups or churches or governments as such, but to individual believers, and their own personal conduct is being covered.

Matt. 5:39 "Whosoever" (singular) "thee" (singular"; "If any man" (40).

Rom. 12:19 is addressed to the beloved; 1 Peter. 2:11_, 18 same as in Romans.

3c. These Scriptures cover the exercise of physical force in some one of its forms. Resistance against spiritual evil is not in view here. Believers were always enjoined to stand against such (Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9; Eph. 6:10-13). But in these passages, no one but a preju­diced reader can discover any other thing in them than caution against reacting with physical force.

4. These Scriptures set forth spiritual ideals which will be universally realized when the kingdom of God is established in the earth. Matt 5 and Luke 6 describe the kingdom of heaven as it will be some day in the earth (Matt. 5:3; Luke 6:20). But the citizens of this kingdom should demonstrate now that they belong to such a kingdom.

Romans 12 is an exhortation for believers not to be conformed to this world. This is in point now for the night of sin is far spent, and the day of the Lord's appearing and His kingdom is at hand (Rom. 13:11-12).
1 Peter 2 is directed to believers as strangers and pilgrims in the earth. They should therefore live as such, and not as though they were members of the earth. In the day of visitation the spiritual ideal will be realized universally.