Lets talk about punching people in the face in regards to when it is or isn’t alright. Many people have different thresholds for when violence is justified. For some people it’s only a matter of respect between life and death. For others it’s eye for an eye, if someone gets physical with them then they get physical back. Many people base violence on self preservation. I’m sure all of you have heard people talk about how you can’t let people walk all over you, take care of your business and people will respect you. But the bible paints a very different picture where God is our defender and justice belongs to him alone. As humans it’s hard to understand that and most if not all of us find a way to explain how God wants us to help ourselves. Joseph was given a vision where his brothers bowed to him and this made his brothers furious (Genesis 37:5) they sold him into slavery and never looked back. God delivered Joseph and saved Israel through him and when Joseph finally confronted his brothers he said to them
“Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Joseph understood that no one has authority over you unless God gives it to them. And God is not one we should question. Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him 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 sons 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 brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
In life we need to choose who is lord, us or God
Remember, Love God, love each other, Divorce the world
