Christian Doormat? – Luke 6:29

Wake Up Call

If I’m a Christian, does that mean I have to be a doormat? After all, Jesus said; “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also.” (Luke 6:29) Thousands of women were told to stay in abusive marriages in the past (and probably are still told) based on that scripture.

Doormat? NO. You may stand up for yourself against injustice. You may refuse to accept inferior products and services. You may require others to treat you decently and with respect. None of that prevents you from obeying the command to turn the other cheek.

How do I reconcile that? Well, let Jesus be our example. See what he did when he was arrested and was being questioned by the high priest. An officer thought Jesus was being a smart mouth in the way he answered a question so he struck him. Jesus stood up for himself. He responded; “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” (John 18:23) Jesus never acted like a doormat.

On the cross, Jesus could have come down at any time but he had a higher purpose – his Heavenly Father’s purpose – in staying on. Turning the other cheek has to do with learning humility – not humiliation. Turning the other cheek is a decision based on strength, not weakness. Doormats are people exploited by those who see them as easy marks. You’re not an easy mark are you?

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16) Don’t let anyone trample over that!

 

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