Chapter 11

Specific Christian Responses

 We have shown how our reactions and emotions can come under control when we take responsibility for our thoughts. Our thoughts, in turn, can be transformed from human to divine viewpoint through regular intake of God’s word (Romans 12:2). Now let’s look at a set of passages where God’s word provides positive and negative commands for us to choose our responses.

First, we should never combat an act or attitude of sin with sin. We are told in I Peter 3:9 to not pay back evil with evil. The Greek word apodidomi, which means to pay back what is due, is in the present tense, indicating an ongoing activity. Thus, Peter is warning against a continued reaction pattern that is always determined to get even.

Next, we are told to not exchange verbal abuse with in-kind verbal abuse. Instead, our aim for every reaction should be to communicate blessing. We are told what to do, bless, but not how to do it. How we bless is left to our judgment.

What are several ways we might react to sin? It may be wise to refuse a verbal response and instead respond to a wrong with mental submission toward God based on knowledge of Scripture. I Peter 2:23 gives an example when Christ suffered without utterance but entrusted Himself to God the Father. Similarly, in Matthew 5:44, Christ commands us to pray for those who sin against us.

Reactions should always align with our responsibility. If we have a protector responsibility, we should react in line with that duty. For example, a husband is to protect his wife physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Other responsible protector roles include parents, church leaders, military, police, or other authorities.

We should react to crime by giving our encouragement and support to the enforcement of civil law. A key passage on the role of civil government is Romans 13. Here, Paul teaches that leaders are to protect by instilling fear for bad conduct that is backed by punishment. The word sword in 13:4 is used primarily as a weapon of war but can also include judicial judgment. Notice the biblical function of civil government is to protect its citizens, never produce or provide.

When choosing how to react to a wrong, the reason for the wrong must be considered. Contrast the reason for Stephen’s stoning (Acts 7:54-60), which was suffering for Christ at the hands of sinful men, with someone throwing rocks at the window of your house, which entails suffering because of a person’s sin. While both are responsible to God for their sin, we are accountable to God for our reactions, which should take into consideration the specifics of a situation.

Next, let’s consider a civil injustice. If it is correctable, then take action to correct it. Paul expected and pursued civil justice as seen in Acts 22:24-29 when he told the authorities that he was a Roman citizen and in 25:10-11 where he argues his innocence based on Roman law. If it is not correctable, we should commit our cause to God as Stephen did in Acts 7:54-60.

How do we respond when our reputation is slandered? First, we can respond in a positive way by clarifying the false statement. The entire book of II Corinthians is Paul’s effort to clarify the slander against him. Notice the detailed, instructive response that is grounded in humility, and backed by a firm, unwavering correction of false accusations. Second, we should not interfere with God’s role of vengeance as seen in Romans 12:19. We are to leave room for God’s wrath and not take our own vengeance. That is God’s job, not ours.

Third, it is always right to react to error with truth. This is the purpose of the entire Bible, to correct human thinking with divine perspective. This could involve emotion as seen in Jesus’ anger when He purged the temple, or Paul when he reacted with anger when religious leaders misrepresented the gospel as recorded in the first chapter of Galatians. Jesus and Paul were bold with those who demonstrated religious arrogance but patient with those who had not hardened their hearts. These examples of Jesus and Paul should be considered in the context of Ephesians 4:11-16 where speaking the truth in love is the method we are to use to build up each other in the body of Christ.

Fourth, how should we respond to a morally neutral stimulus that demands a reaction on our part? Situations like this are not specifically commanded and require the application of mature Christian wisdom. This takes time to develop. To mature we must make choices. Our ability to make choices will improve as we expose ourselves to regular intake of God’s word. On the other hand, we must be mature to make right choices. When we make a choice in the right direction, we gain maturity. When we gain maturity, we have more ability to make a right choice the next time. This interaction of right choices and maturity are the building blocks leading to Christian wisdom.

As parents, it is our responsibility to develop our children’s ability to make good choices. We should not protect our children so much that they never have to make a choice. We must find the right balance between protecting them from choices they are not prepared to make versus exposure to situations that develop their ability to make good choices. Children who are sheltered too much by their parents will not have the experience or tools required to make good choices as an adult.

Finally, a Job 23:12 mentality that places God’s word as the most important priority in our life is the defining decision-making principle for the believer. First, we should not allow the primary place of God’s word in our lives to be challenged. Second, it is not the will of God to lead us into a ministry or other occupation that will cause us to neglect the biblical responsibility to our families. Third, serving in one area of our life does not excuse sinning in another. Fourth, Ephesians 4 outlines God’s program for edifying His children through the regular teaching of His word. It is questionable, then, that God would lead believers into a situation where the ability to prioritize our Christian maturity does not or cannot exist.

Questions regarding a job, a transfer, or move should be examined under the principle of I Corinthians 7:35, which prioritizes lifestyle choices that secure our undivided devotion to the Lord. Note that Paul provides direction and encouragement, not specific commands. In situations like these, we should apply the principles of Bible doctrine to weigh the pros and cons of a decision.

The following questions can be helpful when evaluating the quality of our decisions and responses. Does my reaction to a given situation harmonize with the character of God? Does it reflect love, justice, and righteousness? Our responses are an outward sign of Christian maturity.

What if someone sins against you?

How do you handle a situation where someone sins against you and then says you are responsible to respond in a Christian manner? First, that type of action and comment is a grotesque distortion of Scripture. Both parties have a responsibility. Aggressors are responsible for their actions and should not sin against another person. The person sinned against is responsible to react in a Christian way.

For example, in a child-parent relationship, a father is to not provoke a child. Thus, we are not to sin against another person. As an aggressor, we are never to act in a way that puts another believer in a situation where they must respond to sin in a Christian way. As a recipient, we are not required to remain in a situation where we passively endure a sin committed against us. We should take action to either remove ourselves from a situation or use lawful means to protect ourselves from sinful acts against us. It is not wrong to expect and pursue civil justice.

Romans 6

The idea here is will freedom, not will power. The power of the cross has freed us from the power of sin. Romans 6:1-10 emphasizes the accomplishment of the cross. We have been baptized and united with Him. Our old self was crucified so that we are no longer enslaved to sin. He died to sin and lives to God. So can we.

Romans 6:1-10 gives the facts. Romans 6:11 tells us how to rightly think in response to those facts, and 6:12-13 tells us what right choices to make. Note how Paul begins with knowledge of what Christ has done. He then moves to how we should think based on these facts and closes with how to use our will based on this knowledge. Christianity always provides a reason for keeping God’s commands.  

The flow of thought then is this. First, we are to understand what His perfect cross work accomplished for us. Second, we are to change our thinking by considering ourselves dead to sin. Third, we are to make choices that say no to sin because we are freed from sin. We are no longer slaves to sin.

God’s program is simple and understandable regardless of age or intellect. He has created us for relationship with Him and each other anchored in the supreme ethic of love. He has given us the capacity to think, feel, and choose. He has provided a means of redemption and reconciliation to Him through the work of Jesus Christ. He has communicated truth in His word. When we choose to prioritize our relationship with Him through Bible study, obedience, and prayer, we begin the journey back to His original plan for us to be in fellowship with Him through moment-by-moment decisions that reaffirm His perfect will.