Article 13: Love and Nonresistance

What We Believe

Matthew 5:38-48
Romans 12:18-21

Summary:

We believe that it is the will of God for Christians to show Christ-like love to everyone and to do all that we can to live in peace with others.

“The sword is ordained of God outside the perfection of Christ.”
Schleitheim Confession (1527)

Questions:

Self-Defense
Military Service

"²³ But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning."
Romans 14:23 (NLT)

“COs (Conscientious Objectors) are not afraid to die. They are afraid to kill.”
Pastor Lloyd Gingrich

Matthew 5:38-48
Romans 12:9-18

Do Not Seek Revenge
- Matthew 5:38-39 (NLT)
  - ³⁸ “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
Love Your Enemies
- Matthew 5:43-44 (NLT)
  - ⁴³ “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[a] and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say, love your enemies![b] Pray for those who persecute you!
Authentic Love in Action
- Romans 12:9-10 (NLT)
  - ⁹ Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
The Power of Peace and Forgiveness
- Romans 12:17-18 (NLT)
  - ¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. ¹⁸ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
The Example of Christ – Perfect Love
- Matthew 5:48 (NLT)
  - ⁴⁸But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

ARticles of Faith

Only love must be shown to all mankind. We believe that this applies to every area of life. We must aggressively, at the risk of life itself, do whatever we can for the alleviation of human distress and suffering.

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Presentation by Rachel Young