But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Matthew 5:40-41 NLT
How do we achieve God’s agenda for human life? Well, we do it the same way we achieve other agendas: we amass enough political power – that is, enough votes – to push it through. I suggest that any Christian agenda that is achieved through political power ceases to be a Christian agenda. It becomes something else.
Do I have an example? Yes, the Volstead Act of 1919. That act was the culminating political victory of a wonderful coalition of deeply Christian women who had seen the impact of beverage alcohol on the men and families of America, and said, “We’re going to put a stop to that!” Their war lasted for nearly 40 years and they triumphed: the 21st amendment passed and the Volstead Act made it a federal crime to manufacture or distribute beverage alcohol. But it was no victory. The Christian agenda was forced on a largely unwilling public, and all that was really produced was the conviction that drunkenness is an American right, and the establishment of the Sicilian Mafia as a permanent part of American culture.
A Christian agenda that is achieved through political power is no longer a Christian agenda. Well, Oswalt, how does the kingdom come, then? It comes by carrying the pack a second mile for love; it comes by inviting the slapper to do it again if he cares to. It comes by surrendering power for love’s sake. That is supernatural power, the power to absorb all that evil can do, and then give back self-denying love.
When I see “the Christian right” attempting to force its will on a largely resistant public, I shudder. Well, maybe “the Godless left” will triumph and destroy our freedoms, including the freedom to worship! Yes, they might. Will that mean God is defeated?! Of course not! Our God reigns, and he does not need our political maneuvering to do it. What he needs is for us to demonstrate the Spirit-filled love to lay down our rights and our lives for the sake of the world.
Called To Be Transformed 