The Israelites believed Romans to be heathens, or ungodly. In the land that was promised to Moses, when God brought them out of the bondage in Egypt, the Romans had no place ruling God's chosen people in God's chosen land. To put it simply, this was blasphemous to the Isrealites.
One Roman law stated that any man could be required to stop whatever he was doing and carry a Roman soldier’s equipment as far as a mile. This type of practice was completely despised by the Isrealites and they were awaiting a Messiah that would stand up and remove this persecution and control by the Romans. A king that would force Roman control out of the land of promise.
With his followers gathered around him, Jesus referenced this very law in His sermon on the mount and told His followers what they should do. “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also,” he said. “And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mathew 5). Yikes! ... that was obviously not the conclusion that the people would have come up with on their own. They wanted blood!
If you believe gay marriage is wrong and a gay couple comes in to patronize your shop, what should you do? If God causes the sun to rise and the rain to fall on the wedding days of straight and gay couples, then what is our responsibility? If you believe strongly that their lifestyle is immoral, what should you do? What if local, state, or federal law says it is discrimination to refuse service to the couple wanting to get married, what then?
Christians, our Jesus said, “Go with them two miles.”
If you are wondering if you need to stand up for what you believe is right, if you have missed the hurt in their eyes when you refuse them service and only see an angry, media-driven, ACLU-led mob attacking the small business owner who is only standing up for what you believe in ... yes, stand up and do the right thing!
Christians, our Jesus said, “Go with them two miles.”
Our Redeemer said not only obey the law, but take it to a higher standard of love. Christians should be the FIRST to offer our services! We should be like an overbearing relative and smother them with service and love. “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Jesus
We are hurting so many people when we dig our heels into our dogma and forget the primary message of Jesus, to love as far as our enemies. Behind the ACLU and the media are real people, ... real people who have been hurt over and over in the name of Christ by Christians. I know most of us may have good intentions, but in the end ... Jesus is the last thing they want to hear about after we get done with them. Show them love, show them Jesus.
They will know we are Christians by our love, ... by our love.
- Kev
