The Anabaptists believed that true faith would show itself in how life was lived, and following the example of their King, Jesus, they loved even those who persecuted and killed them.
In following Christ, a Christian is not taught only to avoid taking the offensive, but even in what could be considered legitimate self-defense, he responds by overcoming evil with good and loving his offenders, just as His master.
With simple illustrations from the Bible and from history, this message inspires disciples to pattern after Jesus in servanthood, forgiveness, nonresistance and more.
To this difficult question, there is no answer. And yet, God gives an answer to His children: Trust God. His reasons, thoughts and intents are infinitely beyond human capacity to understand. Will we accept the fact that God owes us no explanation for what He allows?
Do you have an enemy? Does your Christianity enable you to respond to him in a supernatural way, instead of with a natural, carnal, vengeful reaction? With His power, you will be able to forgive him, and even WANT to feed him.
How should "followers of the slain Lamb" live? Nonresistant disciples who choose love over violence must still be soldiers of Christ, with a theolgoy of martyrdom. Dean Taylor shares from his personal journey as a one-time US army soldier.
Former Navy Lt. Cmdr. Tim Mooney, a Gulf War veteran, recounts the spiritual journey that led him from the military to a commitment to peace and nonresistance.
In no way do genuine Christians want to condone acts of terrorism, but at the same time, they do need to portray Jesus’ teachings on love for all mankind, even toward enemies. Does Christ really want Christians to rejoice when a terrorist goes to hell?
When the big, bad, and nasty happens in society around him, how does the Christian respond? What is the Gospel standard that helps him know how to deal with political unrest? He operates under a Royal Law that will define his actions and reactions, helping to prepare others for a Better World.
Christians are called to live according to the doctrine of nonresistance, Jesus' Way of Peace. This message looks at practical, Biblical ways to live out this "way of peace" as we relate to conflict in our relationships or in our surroundings.
