Some will say they taught their son to take a beating by the bullies on the playground. Well that’s too bad. Is that what you did, dad? Dad, when the carjacker threw you out of the car and was about to drive off, did you tell him, ‘Hey, here’s my wallet too. I forgive you.”? I didn’t think so. When the burglar was breaking in to your house, you DID call 911 so guys with guns would come and protect your other cheek, didn’t you? The Good Samaritan who jumps into action to help a woman being raped fortunately isn’t so confused about Jesus’ “turn the other cheek” statement. Imagine how ridiculous it would be to say, “If you are a Christian, you must turn the other cheek.” The guy on the doomed flight that said, “let’s roll” before attacking the terrorists is a hero and would make a good Christian example of courage. Too many cowards would cower in their seats and hide behind the fiction of “I turned the other cheek.” Cowardice is not justified anywhere. There is nothing unchristian about defending your life.

Speak truth to power. Paul and Silas turned the other cheek. The authorities tried to break them, but these Christians turned the other cheek and held their ground. Hold your ground. Talk back to the powers. Speak truth to the bullies. Tell them, “No indeed! Come and humble yourselves before us because you acted unlawfully.”

God bless. Dan