I have been drawn back into the Sermon on the Mount. Reading it, I hear the voice of Dallas Willard. It takes me a long time to move through the Sermon anymore because I feel like when it’s over I quit hearing Dallas as much.

This read-through I find myself angry. I have a part of Chapter 5 that I wrestle with now more than ever.

It is Matthew 5:38-48.

We want retribution. If we are struck and humiliated, we want retaliation. In any era, but since I live in this era and this culture I speak to here: we are selfish people. Angry. We are ready to lash out. We want to “own” the “libs” or the “MAGA” people.

The call of the Kingdom of God is radically different. Jesus calls us to value others above ourselves. I get that when it comes to “the least of these.” What I am struggling with is those I just don’t like.

Jesus calls us to “not resist the evildoers.”

When we are humiliated… don’t resist.

This is far beyond the world’s understanding and it far beyond my own understanding.

The Kingdom calls us away from retaliation to love, humility, and generosity.

I am not to respond as the world responds. It is a radical call to let God be the final arbiter of justice. We are to trust him to bring justice. We work for justice. He brings justice.

The call to humility is radical because it is to show the world we depend on God. Our honor and security is in him. If they want to humiliate you by taking your coat, go further and give them your shirt! If they force you to serve them for one mile, take it two.

When we live our lives in surrender to God we are never under the control of others. The Kingdom of God becomes our source of provision.

I am fed up with Christian Nationalism and anti-immigrant rhetoric. I am fed up with how we treat the poor and do nothing to cut bloated defense budgets. There is justice and I want it now.

But this passage reels me back. I have to let the Kingdom do a much deeper work. Can I truly walk in Kingdom values? Can I rely on God to bring his justice? Can I trust his timing.

There is a high price to pay. The meek and the peacemakers don’t always get their way. They get run over. They get killed. They die unnoticed. But these are the “weapons” of this Kingdom to utilize in this world.

Kingdom justice isn’t destructive. It is restorative. We need creative ways forward. As I work out my anger, I must reflect more on the patient love of God. I follow him. He will not ask anything of me that he hasn’t already done.

Through humility, love, and generosity we are to bring in the goodness of the Kingdom of God. THIS is the affection of Christ working through each of us.