When it comes to turning the other cheek,should a follower of Christ involve police when one does you wrong?Should one file a report and sue or would that be considered NOT turning the other cheek?
I'm interested to hear some wisdom regarding this,as I thought we should rather leave room for God's revenge.Correct me if I'm wrong!
Been meaning to raise this up for a while but didn't know how to ask the question,until I read a thread by karel_7 where someone says to her she must call the police.I'm a bit confused about this "turning the other cheek"
Hi Nelson,
None of us can tell you how to handle each individual circumstance that arises in your life. This is something you must learn to handle on your own through prayer and diligent studying of the Word. Only God can justify.
With that being said, I can offer you some scripture which may be of help in guiding you towards a decision and then give you my own personal opinion.
Luke 6:27-36
“But I say to you who hear: Love [ Gk: 'Agape' ] your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful."
Romans 12:18-21
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 22:36-40
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love [ Gk: 'Agape' ] your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Romans 13:9-11
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love [Gk: 'Agape'] your neighbor as yourself.” Love [Gk: 'Agape' ] does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love [ Gk: 'Agape' ] is the fulfillment of the law.
1 Thess 5:14-22
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Living a godly life is impossible for man. It is impossible for man to be saved of himself. It takes the spirit of God to do what is good and right. This is all according to the wisdom of God. Being saved is the hardest thing any human will ever do and God expects a lot from us! We are flat out told to be PERFECT as our Father in heaven is! Ouch, talk about a tall order! Thankfully its not up to us to save ourselves. Thank God!
So what would the wisdom of God advise. Perhaps you could say that Christ would tell you to let this man have the shirt off your back for your Father in heaven who feeds the sparrows and doesn't let one fall without His command will also feed you because you are infinitely more important to Him than a thousand sparrows. He knows your needs and will sustain you. If you don't feel led by the spirit of God to report this man to the authorities then pray for him. Pray that he doesn't steal from another less fortunate than even himself or that he is not led to more evil deeds because of his escaping immediate retribution for the first. I fear that stealing could lead to more depravity including murder. I would certainly pray for him.
Now again I admonish you to study the scriptures. Look at how the patriarchs handled being wronged. What did they do? Were they moved to return evil or did they trust in the one who is able to keep them from stumbling and present them blameless?
I would say, whatever you do, may it be with a clear conscious fully convinced in your own mind that the course is right before God.
Pray without ceasing! God will provide you with the answer. None of us is perfect and salvation is a process. You will stumble, and you will fall, but you will rise again by the grace and mercy of God who is working in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
God bless,
Alex