VIOLENCE – A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE EVIL IN US

Today is 30 January. It is a sad day in the history of India. It is the day when Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, was assassinated in 1948, a mere five months after the independence from the British rule, by a fellow Indian, because he thought, Gandhi was wrong in certain matters. Even if Gandhi was wrong, killing him is not the solution. Killing another person is absolutely wrong. There is no justification whatsoever, for violence of any kind, let alone killing. The choice of the expression of our dissent and disagreement speaks a world of things about us. How does one settle the disagreements is a critical indication of the person, and his overall character.

God had a problem with mankind. Man sinned, rebelled and became God’s enemy. God chose to love, sacrifice, forgive and restore the fallen man. This process is absolutely and inestimably expensive, than the alternative of simply destroying man, and creating everything afresh. It costed God Himself to come down, be born as a human being in flesh and blood, suffer throughout His life on the earth, and die one of the most cruel and excruciating death ever, on the cross at Calvary.

Lucifer had a problem with God Almighty, his Creator. Lucifer chose to rebel against his Creator, and ever since, continue to choose intentionally, and with all his heart, soul and strength, to destroy anything that God creates. 

God chose to address the problem very differently from the way Lucifer did. God chose love, sacrifice, forgiveness, redemption and life. Lucifer chose to steal, kill and destroy with all his heart, soul and strength. What a world of difference in approach. God chose to lay down His life for the sinners and His enemies. Lucifer chooses violence, death and destruction. What a contrast dear friends.
– “10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” – John 10:10-11

What are we choosing as the disciples of the LORD Jesus Christ? There are some in powerful people, who trump around with a big, beautiful Bible in their hands, yet they are so so far away from the God whom they claim to worship. Just the same like the religious leaders during the LORD Jesus’ earthly ministry.
– “…some of the most destructive wars in human history have been fought by Christian nations. World War I, World War II, the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War and the Thirty Years War were all wars where the majority of combatants, on both sides, were Christians. Clearly, Christianity has not led to world peace – even among professing Christian nations.” – Erik Jones

Writing in his article, “Jesus Christ Taught Peace and Nonviolence” Erik Jones comments about the very basic and fundamental flaw in the Church and the Christians, who claim to follow Christ the LORD. Sadly, most of the Christians, the world over, have accepted wars and violence as a necessary means to undo injustice, and the chosen method of reply, to all our enemies. Historically, Indian Christians were following in the long-standing tradition of the apostles and the early Church. I wish and hope we continue to walk that path.
– “The purpose of this “Christ vs. Christianity” column is to show how many churches and individuals who profess the name of Christ teach and practice things that are directly contrary to what Jesus Christ actually taught. If you would judge Jesus Christ by some of those who profess to follow Him, you might think that Jesus would be an advocate of individuals’ expression of disdain and even hatred toward their enemies and of nations’ reliance on battle-hardened military might.” – Erik Jones

Erik Jones goes on to elaborate the idea of Jesus and non-violence, arguing for it, from the Bible…
– “The Sermon on the Mount (found in Matthew 5, 6 and 7) is one of the most detailed teachings of Jesus Christ recorded in the New Testament. In this vital sermon, Jesus Christ laid out the central facets of the way of life He taught His followers. / One of the central themes of the Sermon on the Mount is Christ’s expectation that His followers be characterized by peace—not violence or war. / In the famous opening to this great sermon known as the Beatitudes, Jesus taught, “Blessed [happy] are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Christ’s followers should be characterized by living a way that leads to peace—totally the opposite of a life characterized by violence and strife.” – Erik Jones

Peace, harmony, forgiveness, justice, fairness, truth, transparency and love are godly traits. Violence, death, destruction, killing, stealing, injustice, lies, manipulations, deception and hatred are the traits of Lucifer and his faithful minions. Let us be honest and straightforward about it. These two worldviews cannot coexist in an individual. If such duality is displayed by any individual, they are deceived into believing that, they are following the LORD Jesus Christ. Nay my dear friends, such a person is following faithfully in the footsteps of the evil one, and not the LORD Jesus Christ.
– “Anyone who has proclaimed violence his method inexorably must choose lying as his principle.” – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Writer, 1918 – 2008, Russia)

Violence is a sure and a clear indication of the evil heart, cold attitude, cruel mind and abominable character. Have no two opinions about it dear brothers and sisters. Right from Cain using violence to settle scores with his brother Abel, till the last sentence in the Bible, the Bible is crystal clear on this.
– “9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9
– “31 Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways; 32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD, But His secret counsel is with the upright. 33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just.” – Proverbs 3:31-33
– “38 “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” – Matthew 5:38-39
– “43 “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” – Matthew 5:43-48

What are we desiring as our response to any disagreements that we may have with others? Is violence being considered as an option. Beware dear brothers and sisters, the Word of the LORD is crystal clear, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. We either follow the path of the LORD Jesus Christ, or we follow the path of Lucifer, the evil one. The choice clear, and the choice is entirely ours. However, we will reap what we sow.
– “…there is no contradiction between the Old and New Testaments! God’s consistent will was for His people to be peaceful and nonviolent. In the New Testament Jesus Christ expanded on the Sixth Commandment to include hatred and anger—and He expects Christians to show love to others and practice peace and nonviolence. / Jesus Christ’s teachings and practices are very clear when we honestly read the four Gospel accounts. Christ’s followers are to demonstrate love for others—and one major way we are to demonstrate love is through a life of peace and nonviolence. / Jesus Christ wants His followers to put their trust in Him for protection and to be noted for their peace and love for others!” – Erik Jones

Even so, the LORD help us to follow Him faithfully and obediently.