As Christians, we are commanded to live at peace with one another and with the government we live under. Sometimes, this can be a very hard job to do. Be it a neighbor, someone at Church or even in your family, somehow you are going to run afoul of someone, somewhere, sometime. What is a person to do?
The history of the Hutterites, Hussites, Moravians and Zwigliists can be a neutral model of what we can and should not do.
All four of these Christian groups ran afoul their governments numerous times. The problem mostly revolved around refusal to acknowledge the Catholic Church as the true faith. The Hutterites moved from Switzerland to Austria to Germany to Czechoslovakia to Poland to Ukraine to Siberia to Canada and finally to America after World War I. First, it was the issue with the Pope, then it was the issue over Baptism, then it were problems with accepting Luther instead of the Pope, and for being of German descent. Each time the Hutterites were slaughtered by the tens of thousands because they would not take up arms and defend themselves. You can not say they did not try to live their faith…… Eventually, they joined into closed communities where they were no longer required to deal with the world system. And this was the wrong choice to my way of thinking. We were put in the world to be the people whom give life its meaning and flavor, not to be hid away.
The Hussites and Moravians were strong Calvin supporters and where they fell from Grace was over the issue of whether God reaches out to man or man reaches out to God for salvation. Over 250,000 of them died in one afternoon alone in the Bohemian forests. They and their leaders were executed to extinction over this issue. So many died the Hutterites where asked to take over the vacant estates in Czechoslovakia and Poland – as the land was mostly deserted following this very short war. These two groups did not try to make peace but were more than willing to draw the sword and take on all comers. But, I can not see in my Bible where we are told to physically attack one another over doctrine – we are told not to fellowship with those whom we consider to be heretics.
Noticed I have not hit on the Zwigliists yet? Well, they may have done the best. They stayed in Switzerland, minded their own business, kept themselves to their doctrines and in the rare cases of Catholic Princes attacking them, they did not take up arms except to defend their lives. Well, they did do a few jail breaks as well. So, even under extreme duress from the German Princes, they held to no offense as much as possible. Which seems more reasonable to me.
But, how about the everyday pain you might run into? It could be a teacher, a gas attendant, the dog catcher, whomever is making you life miserable at the moment – but they are going to be there. You have to remember that it may well be because of whom is in you that you are being made to suffer. The world system killed Jesus, you might get by with less. But you still have to live in the world. Jesus told us to:
1) Live in peace with all people.
2) Be blameless before the government.
3) Forgive all within the body of believers (save for those actions which would lead to disfellowship).
4) When we run afoul the world over our faith, we stand firm.
5) When we run afoul someone over something other than faith – well, we leave it to God for resolution.
1) Live in Peace With All People
In our everyday lives, there are a thousand ways to run afoul everyone! My mentor Paul had his extremely expensive home destroyed by three of his neighbors. Now he could have ended up owning their properties but he chose to cover any costs above his insurance levels himself. I still marvel at this, I doubt those people understood the depth of Christian love he showed by not having them jailed and driven into bankruptcy…….
Another example I could use is the Puritans when they ran afoul the English. In English society of the time, it was customary form of honor to tip your hat in respect to anyone whom appeared to be of higher breeding. The Puritans decided they would tip their hats to no one, since we are all equal before God. Eventually, the Puritans were forced to migrate to Holland to avoid the troubles in England they were causing with this and other outrages.
Of course, the natural and perhaps more Godly solution would have been to tip your hat to everyone, no matter their birth or position. But, this would have meant lowering their own self esteem – something natural man is usually not very good at.
2) Be Blameless Before The Government
When I was a Bible student in America, we had a severe problem with a group whom firmly believed it was their Christian duty to protest America’s many wars and stockpiling of nuclear weapons - by refusing to pay taxes. Needless to say, using the Biblical principle, I do pay my taxes – on time – no fudging. No matter what anyone could claim about me, I try to live as invisible as possible to the government. I may completely agree with those whom did go to prison over their choice to not pay taxes – but if I am to be at peace with whatever government I am under at the time – as commanded, I do what it dictates – as long as my faith does not get infringed upon.
Now, there is a way of protest I ran across several years later, which I still marvel at. A group of Christians got together and bought a great deal of land where they built their homes – helping one another pay off the debt as quickly as possible. Once this was done, they then all took jobs which paid below the poverty level so they would not have to pay taxes – legally! Same statement, different approach and a completely legal way to remain at peace with your government. Of course, it also means no medical for your children, probably no car, etc. Tough way to exist, but if you feel strongly enough……..
3) Forgive All Within The Body
Forgiveness never comes easy, especially when it involves a brother or sister in the faith. Through the years I have to admit I have had more problems with ‘Christians’ than outright pagans. The worst employee you will ever encounter will be wearing his religion as a badge. The driver most likely to flip you off - will have a ‘Honk if you love Jesus’ stuck on their bumper. And the sharpest knife which will ever get stuck in your back, will be owned by the dearest friend you have trusted in the faith.
And God says we are to forgive them! Grrrrrr!!!!! Forgiveness over time is easy, but forgiveness is never easy when the other party is not willing to resolve the difference - problem – or whatever…..
What am I saying? You can forgive, but only if they are willing to be forgiven as well. This is why we are to go to them to settle our differences rather than tithe or take communion. But, what if they are unwilling? (see number 5 below for more discussion in this vein) Well, you have to just turn it over to God and let Him handle it – no dwelling on it lest you give into angry. He is pretty good at changing hearts. And you live your life as normal, until they finally come to you for the forgiveness you have already offered.
4) When We Run Afoul the World Over Our Faith
When I was a baby Christian in Bible school, I was drafted. I never considered the question of serving in the military – I am a tri-national, due to the politics of the age I was born in and not eligible for any draft. Wishing to avoid problems, I offered to serve as a medic or bed pan washer, as long as I did not have to carry a gun – but no, the US Army wanted me for other purposes. As a Hutterite, I was not even required to serve in the military at all (by amendment to the US Constitution!) but no one told me that at the time.
However, I was willing to serve without a gun. Now you must understand that if I had a gun - I would logically have had to protect myself in a confrontation and then I would commit murder. Unfortunately, I am extremely good with firearms. And the US Army knew this, as I had won a 1969 competition against the 1968 US Olympic Silver Medalist – and I was now on US soil. Yes, I do believe it is murder when you willing put yourself in harms way and then are forced to defend yourself.
For two years I held firm and the US Army held firm. Finally, in Federal Court, facing 10 years for my refusal to carry a rifle and commit murder, the judge decided I was an East German citizen and closed the case. (First I had heard of this!) As this really was the only time I have ran afoul our government, over my faith – it is the only one I can use. (And what an answer to thousands of prayers!)
Of course, being Swiss, I do my practices several weekends a year, as required by law. Yes, I do carry a rifle. However, I also know there is little if any possibility of my ever having to use it in anger or self defense. Unlike the American Army which had several active conflicts at the time………
My cousin took the same approach as me and became a medic, which in Switzerland were not required to carry side arms. Unfortunately, he was posted to Bosnia, where he was given a side arm – and he was killed by a sniper shortly after. (I still get a little tight jawed over that one! But our politicians are as much to blame as the sniper is.)
I do manage to run into confrontations over religious matters. Traveling to Muslim and Communist countries is difficult at its best – extremely hard when you are a known Christian. Arrests, unreasonable searches, being followed everywhere was not uncommon in my travels – even having to dodge large stones! But, if my faith is in Christ – what ever happens, I know the Lord will use to His benefit…… And, my task remains to share His witness with those whom I meet.
5) When We Run Afoul Over Something Other Than Faith
Since I am a living breathing male, it is only reasonable to consider I have angered a fair number of people through the years, being completely oblivious to the fact.
I still ache over a set of close friends whom suddenly decided I was the enemy and told me to go away. To this day, no one has ever been able to find out what the problem was. I tried to find out what was going on – to no avail. I had friends approach them but this did not work. I had the elders attempt to intervene but again utter failure. My only guess is this is a ‘he said – she said’ situation taken out of context, but that is only a guess. Because honestly no one knows other than them…..
I can only allow God to work on this in His time and to His end – as I am powerless to understand what it is I could possibly have done to warrant their actions against me. And with their having moved quite some distance a way, it is unlikely I will be seeing them again in any event. It still stings though.
So, as you can see there are many consideration in loving your enemy. I hope these examples helped you. If you can think of a situation not covered here, let me know.
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