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Author Thread: THE CROSS � TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK
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THE CROSS � TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK
Posted : 5 Dec, 2011 11:06 AM

If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Luke 6:29



An Open Doors colleague shares the following incident from an SSTS seminar in Indonesia:



I remember standing in front of nearly 800 pastors on the island of Timor facing a serious dilemma. Most of the pastors were victims of attacks by Muslims on the island of Ambon. They had lost homes, churches and even family members during these attacks. They were hurt, devastated and needed answers to the challenges they faced.



As soon as I started preaching, one pastor stood up and interrupted me; �Must we accept the persecution from the Muslims or must we retaliate? We are tired of forgiving just to be attacked again. We believe it is time to defend the honor of God and retaliate. What must we do?�



I understood perfectly the challenges. I had met those who were attacked and I have seen the scars on the bodies of those who simply accepted it. I understood there was no easy answer. Then another pastor interrupted; �No, pastor, tell this brother he is wrong. The Bible tells us to accept our suffering. We will dishonor God if we retaliate. Seventy times seven we need to forgive. Isn�t this true?�



I looked at the pastors and replied, �The Bible is clear. You MUST retaliate!�



There was silence. I sensed the division. I could see the smiles on the faces of those who agreed and saw those who disagreed getting ready to leave the hall.



�Wait, brothers!� I intervened. �Before you leave, let me finish my sentence. Luke 6 teaches us clearly to retaliate, but in doing so, we need to choose our weapons. When someone curses you, you don�t just accept it. You retaliate by blessing him. When someone mistreats you and persecute you, you don�t just accept it. You retaliate by praying for him. When someone takes your cloak you retaliate by giving your undercoat. When someone slaps you in the face, don�t stand for it. Retaliate! Turn your other cheek.�



The burden of just accepting suffering was broken. They were satisfied.



RESPONSE:Today I will retaliate against attacks upon me using the spiritual weapons of Jesus.



PRAYER:Lord, may I always remember how You want me to respond when others treat me badly.



By Paul Estabrooks

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THE CROSS � TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK
Posted : 5 Dec, 2011 05:57 PM

We do have the power to retaliate today although it is not with carnal weapons. When someone I know very personally was on the run from the police I would pray � one day when I spoke to him after he was captured I asked him what happened � he said he was just walking down the street, doing nothing but walking� and a police officer stopped and asked to see his ID�. There use to be a Lions Den, which is an adult book store, on my way to work. Every day I would say �You are cursed in the name of Yeshua� � about 3 years later it closed down�



We turn the other cheek in the natural and do not retaliate, but when we pray our Defender takes up our case and there is no defense.



And when it comes to those that threaten Israel I pray and know G-d will remember the days of old when He turned our enemies against themselves and He fights for us even this day. I laugh at them and all should� have not a human read He is coming back with all the saints and defending His beloved Israel!!! AMEN!!!!!

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