Return The Other Fist

We know as Christians that one of the biggest lessons we receive from Jesus is to turn the other cheek. We understand it's value and notice that it is like heaping burning coals on our enemy's head. But there is a dilemma that Christians (especially Americans) fall to. When do we get to not turn the other cheek? Is there a scenario where when we are wronged that we get to exact our own justice? We create hypothetical situations like Red Coats coming into our homes kicking puppies, burning incense to Satan and by order of the King to take our possessions; likely our guns. I think that Jesus has to say otherwise in a portion of one of his parables.

15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. 23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; 25 and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, `Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
Matthew 18

This passage, as I see it, sums up the whole argument. There is not a single thing that your brother can do against you that you do not have to forgive him for. Love is Forgiveness. And love each other because God first loved us.

But they continue to create excuses or new scenarios. They say, "What if your government has made a contract with the people (Magna Carta or the Constitution) and both parties vowed to uphold it. And then the government proceeded to breach the contract. Since we as Americans believe that the Nation is run by the people for the people, that would give us warrant to revolt against those in Authority, right?" No. We are in no place to rebel against our powers ever. We shall disregard the evil, wicked or foolish deeds of our government and content ourselves. Although I do believe that the government should honor the contract as it says it is better that a man not vow than vow and not pay. In America we have been fooled into thinking that we are allowed to rebel whenever we so desire. It is in our blood since every two years we hold an organized rebellion if put a new official in office so we can throw out the old one. The problem we find is that we are not the ones who were formerly running the country. Our bad government supplies a few things that distinguishes us (the people) from the White House. The list goes 1) Police force. 2) The Military. 3) A system of Law. These three things are on the side of our bad government and as citizens we have chosen to submit to them. Sadly, we become conceited towards it. We think we are the ones primarily upholding the law. So we think we are the ones in power. We aren't. Why is it that as soon as we notice our lifestyle being changed or hurt by the governing officials we think we can ditch this pop-sicle stand and start all over. No, we must always be in submission to the government, no matter how badly they treat us.

So, it does not matter if we the people have made a contract with the King. It is the King's decision to sign it and pass it. And by his rule, police action and military it is his decision to uphold it or throw it out.

2 Keep the king's command, and because of your sacred oath be not dismayed; 3 go from his presence, do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, "What are you doing?" 5 He who obeys a command will meet no harm, and the mind of a wise man will know the time and way.
Ecclesiastes 8