This week, I was struck by how the Lord’s commands border on the unreasonable! Offering no resistance to the wicked man? Letting someone who struck you on the face strike you again? Giving to anyone who asks, whatever the request may be? Surely, these are foolish, if not utterly crazy, directions! Surely no reasonable person could follow and still live in a sensible manner!
Then again it is the Lord’s Word and so I returned to the Gospel again and let his Word strike me again. Why do I think these commands unreasonable?
Maybe it is how the commands contradict what I have been taught about good and appropriate behaviour. I don’t think I can actually turn the other cheek if I’m slapped. It seems illogical to me that non-resistance will stop bad or sinful behaviour. Then again there was Mahatma Gandhi who did exactly this. If we look other examples, weren’t we taught that the European leaders’ strategy of appeasement was what led to Hitler’s rise before World War II? So how is it a good idea to roll over when a wicked man comes knocking? Won’t that encourage him?
Or perhaps what I consider to be sensible living really is too focused on this passing world. What would happen to my standard of living if I give to anyone who asks, like the aunty selling tissue paper, or the flag day tin carrier, or the family with five children who looks like they need some help? Will people walk all over me and take advantage of me, such that I can’t maintain my standard of living, if I don’t always keep my interests at the forefront?
Or maybe, and most likely, I have too little faith that if I follow God’s prescriptions, He will make all things work out for good according to His divine plan. I don’t actually think that non-resistance, compassion, or loving kindness will turn the hearts of people toward God, or improve their behaviour. It is better to smack them over the head or put up some resistance so they learn their lesson!
Then again, most likely, I am wrong, and God is right; I am foolish and He is wise. The only way to find out would be to give following His commands a shot.
Thankfully, since I became a father, God has been kind to give me plenty of opportunities to try to abide by these commands. Sometimes literally Sometimes, I get hit by my kids during an uncontrollable temper tantrum. Should I hit them back? What if they think I’m a nice punching bag afterwards or grow up to be disrespectful people? Or should I control myself and take the hits, knowing that the temper tantrum will pass, and I can find a teaching moment later?
The experience has shown me, first, that I am actually able (with God’s grace) to override my reflexes to turn the other cheek, and second, that the world won’t end if I do. Also, more fundamentally, I realise that the Lord’s commands are actually just the starting action on a journey to win persons over to God. Through my persistence in insisting on sticking with someone who hurts me, accompanying them and not giving up, opens a door for me to grow closer to them and know them better.
The knowledge that I can and will follow up, the commands start to seem much more reasonable and wise.
Written by Vincent Ong