Need wisdom input....

[eddie haskel]

I've shared here how my walk with the Lord has taken on a whole new dimension for me, ever since I surrendered my will, in total, for His blessed promise and grace. I've been around the church for most of my life, but never felt the presence of the Holy Spirit until almost 4 years ago. I really can't put into words, or express myself coherently, to what great change He has brought into my life. Suffice to say, I could never have imagined such a life for me was possible!

As I grow into my new life, I find much of my old ways and thoughts, to be of no use. Discarding them, is much harder than acknowledging them, but I relish the challenge. What troubles me now is thus, and I hope you can share your thoughts with me.....

Scripturally, the Bible says to offer the other cheek, if a person should so strike you. OK...I see Jesus as the perfect example on how to rise to His exemplified love. A man could strike you till his arms fall off, and yet his anger for doing so, will never be satisfied.
I also see, as a husband and farther, I am to be prudent and husband the charge the Lord blessed me with. If their welfare is challenged by an opposing force of ill will, am I'm justified in using any force necessary to fulfill the covenant of my duties?

Is there a differences between protecting their physical being, as opposed to their spiritual welfare? Perhaps the verse dealing with "offering the other cheek" deals only in spiritual context, and not physically, for I'm pretty darn certain, I can withstand a great beating and not surrender my faith. It would prove to be the ultimate challenge, resulting in the ultimate gift, yes?

I'm sorry if my thoughts seem scattered, as it seems they flow faster than my ability to type. Does my question make sense to you?

Thanks,
eddie

[letsfish]

If their welfare is challenged by an opposing force of ill will, am I'm justified in using any force necessary to fulfill the covenant of my duties?

Is there a differences between protecting their physical being, as opposed to their spiritual welfare? Perhaps the verse dealing with "offering the other cheek" deals only in spiritual context, and not physically, for I'm pretty darn certain, I can withstand a great beating and not surrender my faith. It would prove to be the ultimate challenge, resulting in the ultimate gift, yes?



Its your family protect them. But be prudent and discerning. In other words, physical force should be a last resort.
As far as interpeting the "offering the other cheek" reference.. well I will leave it to others I think you may get a lot of response on this.

[FireCat]

EDDIE...the vrs you quoted Matt 5:28, IS TAKEN SO OUT OF CONTEX, Christ was meek and he taught us that if we want his character to be meek like him also, but Meekness does not deny force. Force is sometimes necessary at times to final consciences. Love for people requires it sometimes.

Jesus acted forcefully at many times of his life. He was not only meek, but forceful when the problem required force; therefore there is no similarity between the "Meek do nothing Jesus of the Gospel" And the one who brought forth FORCE . He would addressed the Jewish people, and especially their leaders, in a VERY harsh manner, scolding them over and over for their pride, hypocrisy, adoration for supernatural acts, and lack of simple faith: “O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things?” (Matthew 12:34), “An evil and adulterous generation” (Matthew 12:39), “O faithless and perverse generation” (Matthew 17:17), and “woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:13). His force was very clear not only in his speech but also in actions, as John the evangelist speeks to us : “And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting; and when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables, and said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of theives” (John 2:13:16). Even his apostles would faced his force, for he said to them“you of little faith” (Matthew 8:26), scolded them for being very slow to understand spiritual matters (Matthew 15:16), and rebuked Peter because Peter tried to discourage him from sacrificing Himself by saying: “Get thee behind me, Satan” (Matthew 16:23).

Jesus brought force into those conditions without hatred or animosity, because there was nothing but love in his heart. He embraced with loving tenderness that adulterous people, healing the sick and preaching to the poor. He told his disciples who were very slow to understand and occupied with earthly things they were acting like “little children,” he prayed on the cross for the Pharisees and Scribes who murdered him, and he cried on Jerusalem as he called her “killer of prophets,” warning her of great punishment. We must remember Eddie that Jesus used force only as a top surgeon uses a knife, not out of hatred for the patient but in his service and for his well being.

Now we are called to be servents and protectors over what we have, And that means our family, it is one thing to take insults for being a Christian, it is another to set and watch someone wether it be family or another human being being brutialy beaten up on and just stand back and do nothing.

And Ill leave you with this, dont forget when Jesus said to thoes that offend little children:
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:1-6). "
we need to defends Christ and what he says about helping thoes who are being harmed, eather physicaly or spirtualy
Lord Bless you my friend

[eddie haskel]

What a Blessed gift to find this wonderful Sunday morning :dance:

Your response and reasoning speak loudly and true to me. Whats even more a miracle...I understand it :yay:

May I indulge in a lil' prayer here if I may...(of course)

"Lord Farther, I'm so thankful for those you bring into my life, to help me find my walk in Your grace. Farther, I ask that you continue to bless, and reward them, with a rich spiritual life, so they may continue to witness for Your true Kingdom.
Farther, for myself I ask, may I grow into a man with wisdom and knowledge from Your gifts of enlightenment. From the teaching, sharing, and leading of those who have walked before me....... That I may use this understanding not as a tool to judge others, but as the means to judge myself.

For this I pray in the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I'm in your debt (again :flowered: ). Know in your hearts you've made a BIG difference in my life. More importantly, you've made a HUGE difference in my wife (Denise) and children (Ryan,Kyle, Kelsey,Kameron) life. You've helped immensely in giving them a husband and farther worthy of their love....
Bless you all,
eddie

[Dullhook]

Great explanation FireCat! :applause: :applause:

As Christian men we are to defend our families as well as any others that can not defend themselves. If this demands physical force...so be it.

We are called upon to protect the life God has given us and the precious lives in our care. :hearton:

[Grantspastor]

I wouldn't hesitate for a nanosecond to defend my family

[rimrock]

Jesus' complete statement is "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Of course, any striking is a painful blow, but the striking in this case is meant as a gross insult (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:20). If a right-handed person strikes someone's right cheek, presumably it is a slap by the back of the hand. A fist striking you would be on the left cheek. The left hand was considered “unclean” in this culture so it wouldn’t have been used to “strike” someone as it were. So this teaching by Jesus is not about self-defense, but about an attack on your dignity. INDIVIDUAL WORDS ARE VERY IMPORTANT – “right cheek” is key as well as understanding the context of Jewish first century culture.

For example, in the eastern culture slapping someone is considered an insult of the highest order!!! But Jesus says that His disciples should gladly be willing to endure the insult again.

Christians are permitted to defend themselves and their families (Exodus 22:2; Numbers 1:2-3; Ecclesiastes 4:12; Luke 22:36; Acts 22:1; 25:10-11; 2 Timothy 4:16) and to use God-ordained authority to keep evil from harming them or others (Proverbs 28:8; Acts 16:37-39; 22:23-29).

However, what is forbidden is the taking of vengeance (Romans 12:17-21), bitterness (Ephesians 4:31), and retaliation (1 Peter 2:23). These are absolutely forbidden. “Turn the other cheek” isn’t talking about a fist fight, but about being rudely insulted when you have done no wrong and enduring it for the sake of remaining righteous.

[Sweet Melissa]

Insightful post, rimrock. Thanks.