Nonresistance is a a belief and practice that is frowned upon by most Americans as well as latter day "Christians", who believe that they will die with their guns in their hands, resisting the law enforcement, state or government for their guns, or for their "faith".

First off, what sort of picture are you painting? A picture of a "Christian" pointing a double barreled shotgun down a police officer's nose, screaming "I'm a Big B. Baptist Christian! You'll never take me alive!"? Pray tell me how you see this man as a Christian?

Christians don't act like that. We begin reading in Matthew chapter 5 and see that Christ paints an entirely different picture. Matthew chapter 5 is most commonly called the "Beatitudes" or "The Sermon on the Mount". Let's start out in verse number 3:

Mat 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

So, blessed are the poor in spirit, they that mourn, the meek, those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. That to me does not look like the picture of the man holding the shotgun, who calls himself a Christian. Is he truly someone who is meek, merciful, pure in heart and a peacemaker?

But that's not all…

Mat 5:10  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

So when persecution arises, we're supposed to gun down our enemies for the sake of Christ and the Gospel? Think again…

Mat 5:21  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
Mat 5:22  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of heck fire.

As Christians, we are not to kill, but also if we are angry with our brother without cause, we have sinned. That's pretty important stuff here. John tells us that whoso hateth his brother, is a murder:

1Jn 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Oaths also come up in this topic of nonresistance. Government officials must take oaths, as do police officers, and anyone serving in any branch of the militay. (Children are also taught at a very young age to pledge their allegiance to their country, and not to God.) But even in this self same chapter of Matthew, Christ tells us not to swear oaths.

Mat 5:33  Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
Mat 5:34  But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
Mat 5:35  Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Mat 5:36  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
Mat 5:37  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

As New Testament Christians, and followers of Christ and his teachings, we are not allowed to swear oaths, or by any means swear at all, for any cause. This immediately disqualifies Christians for any public office, branch of the government, or branch of the military.

Yet not for that reason only… If you are in a position of nonviolence, yet authority, you could be giving the orders to have someone executed or persecuted. As a Christian, we can not even be in these positions for the following reasons:

1. Matthew 5:21 & 22 states that we are not to kill, or even be angry with our brother without a cause. Being in a position of authority where you give orders allows you to sentence people to death. Whether your are the executioner or the commander, you are guilty of killing this man.
2. Matthew 5:34 tells us "Swear not at all". To be in such a position, you must swear an oath to uphold your position, the Constitution and the Country. This includes the President, Congressmen, Senators, Generals, men in armed forces, Police officers, etc.
3. Matthew 5:43 & 44, which we will read in just a moment.

Mat 5:43  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

We are commanded to love our enemies, by Christ. You can't show a very loving example to your enemies, if you are invading their country, knocking down their doors, holding them at gunpoint, blowing up their towns and buildings, dropping bombs on their cities, starving their children or blowing up their vehichles.

You can't be in that position, and be a Christian. You are not showing the love and compassion of Christ on your enemies. You are playing the pawn in some powerful agenda, which knows not Christ, but are of their father, the Devil.

Mat 5:38  Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Christ himself lived his life as an example for us, so that we might follow him in all things. When they sought to take his life on numerous times, he escaped out of the midst of them. He did not fight them. When Peter cut off the ear of the High Priest's servant, Christ healed his ear, even though this servant was here to take him away. Christ was beaten, scourged and crucified, and never once resisted them.

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

He is our perfect example in all things, and we must learn to put our trust and hope in Him.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
(Matthew 5:48)

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
(1 Peter 1:15-16)

Many so-called Christians in today's society across the world believe salvation is a free gift that can not be lost or discarded with no conditions or guide book to follow. They believe that once accepting salvation, they can never lose it.

But the topic I should like to bring out in this study, is that so-called Christians believe that nothing needs to be completed or obtained in order to be called a Christian, follow Christ and inherit his eternal rewards. Believing that Christ died and rose again, is enough to be a just receiver of heaven, or so they think. My how they forget so quickly James 2:19:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
(James 2:19)

For here we see that the devils believe also, yet they tremble, because they fear God. So-called Christians who say that they believe in God, feel that they need not turn from their sins, tremble not.

Those that think that a mental assent, or a belief that God exists is enough for salvation are indeed in error. For a belief alone without works and faith is not pleasing to God:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
(Hebrews 11:6)

"I have faith", they will say. Faith in what, may I ask? Faith that God exists or a living Faith that he will guide you into all truth (John 16:13), power to redeem, power to save you from sin (Matthew 1:21, Acts 26:18), strength to resist the devil so he will flee from you (James 4:7), to be pure and holy (1 John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:16) in this present world (Titus 2:12), to walk the narrow path and enter at the strait gate (Matthew 7:14), and to have the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) ?

But what is faith?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1)

Faith does require works, contrary to popular belief. We do not work to earn our way to heaven without Christ, we work to earn our way to heaven with Christ. We've already seen above in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith, we can not please God. And now James declares to us that our faith is dead if we have no works:

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
(James 2:20)

Very clearly we see that Faith requires works, else it is dead! Our works is our obedience to Christ, obeying His words, keeping his commandments, remaining pure, holy, and unblameable in this present world.

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
(Ephesians 5:27)

This thing is truly serious. For Christ is not pleased where there is no faith or works.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Matthew 7:21-23)

Do you have a faith which produces no fruit? Can Chirst see any difference in you from the lost heathens? Does your life show the fruits of the Spirit? Are you striving to enter in at the strait gate?

I wanted to title this post "The two types of obedience" in response to EH's comment on Go and Sin no more. But this excerpt from Pilgrim Aflame does far more than just define the two types of obedience, it defines the true Christian.

I am guessing that this was originally written by Michael Sattler in German, and has probably been recorded in Martyr's Mirror, and the author of the book was compelled to include it in his story. It is definitely good, so take the time and read it, even though it is slightly lengthy:

Obedience is of two kinds, servile and filial. The filial has its source in the love of the Father, even though no other reward should follow, yea even if the Father should wish to dadgum His child; the servile has its source in a love of reward or of oneself. The filial ever does as much as possible, apart from any command; the servile does as little as possible, yea nothing except by command. The filial is never able to do enough for Him; but he who renders servile obedience thinks he is constantly doing too much for Him.

The filial rejoices in the chastisement of the Father although he may not have transgressed in anything; the servile wishes to be without chastisement of the Father although he may do nothing right. The filial has its treasure and righteousness; the servile person's treasure and piety are the works which he does in order to be pious. The filial remains in the house and inherits all the Father has; the servile wishes to reject this and receive his lawful reward.

The servile looks to the eternal and to the prescribed command of the Lord; the filial is concerned about the inner witness and the Spirit. The servile is imperfect and therefore his Lord finds no pleasure in him; the filial strives for and attains perfection, and for that reason the Father can not reject him.

The filial is not contrary to the servile, as it might appear, but is better and higher. And therefore let him who is servile seek for the better, the filial; he dare not be servile at all. The servile is Moses and produces Pharisees and scribes; the filial is Christ and makes children of God. The servile is either occupied with the ceremonies which Moses commanded or with those which people themselves have invented; the filial is active in the love of God and one's neighbor; yet he also submits himself to the ceremonies for the sake of the servants that he may instruct them in that which is better and lead them to sonship.

The servile produces self-willed and vindictive people; the filial creates peaceable and mild-natured persons. The servile is severe and gladly arrives quickly at the end of the work; the filial is light and directs its gaze to that which endures. The servile is malevolent and wishes no one well but himself; the filial would gladly have all men to be as himself.

The servile is the old covenant, and had the promise of temporal happiness; the filial in the new covenant, and has the promise of eternal happiness, namely, the Creator Himself. The servile is a beginning and preparation for happiness; the filial in the end and completion itself. The servile endures for a time; the filial will last forever. The servile was a figure and shadow; the filial is the body and truth.

The servile was established to reveal and increase sin; the filial follows to do away with and extirpate the revealed and increased sin. For if a man wish to escape from sin, he must first hate it, and if he would hate it, he must first know it, and if he would know it, there must be something to stir up and make known his hidden sin. Now it is law or Scripture which does this: for as much as the law demands, that much more the man turns from God to that which he has done, justifies himself therein, by his accomplishments, clings thereto as to his treasure and the greater such love becomes, the more and the greater will grow his hatred for God and for his neighbor. For the more and the closer a man clings to the creature, the farther he is from God. The more he desires the creature, the less he will have of the Creator.

Moreover, the law gives occasion to people to depart farther from God, not because of itself (for it is good) but because of the sin which is in man. This is also the reason why Paul says that the law was given that it might increase sin, and sin might thereby become known. Yea, the law is the strength of sin and therefore it is just like the servile obedience, that is, obedience to law, which leads people into the most intense hatred of God and of one's neighbor. Therefore filial obedience is a certain way through which man escapes from such hatred and receives the love of God and of one's neighbor. Therefore, as one administers death, and other administers life. The one is the Old Testament; the other, the New.

According to the Old Testament only he who murdered was guilty of judgment; but in the New, he also who is angry with his brother. The Old gave permission for a man to separate from his wife for every reason; but not at all in the New, except for adultery. The Old permitted swearing if one swore truly, but the New will know of no swearing. The Old has its stipulated punishment, but the New does not resist the evil.

The Old permitted hatred for the enemy; the New loves him who hates, blesses him who curses, prays for those who wish one evil; gives alms in this manner that the left hand does not know what the right has done; says his prayer secretly without evident and excessive babbling of mouth; judges and condemns no one; takes the mote out of the eye of one's brother after having first cast the beam out of one's own eye; fasts without any outward pomp and show; is like a light which is set on a candlestick and lightens everyone in the house; is like a city built on a hill, being everywhere visible; is like good salt that does not become tasteless, being pleasing not to man but to God alone; is like a good eye which illuminates the whole body; takes no anxious thought about clothing or food, but performs his daily and upright tasks; does not cast pearls before swine, nor that which is holy before dogs; seeks, asks and knocks; finding, receiving and having the door opened for him; enters through the narrow way and the small gate; guards himself from the Pharisees and scribes as from false prophets; is a good tree and brings forth good fruit; does the will of his Father, hearing what he should do, and then doing it.

The church of true believers is built upon Christ the chief cornerstone; stands against all the gates of hell, that is, against the wrathful judgment of the Pharisees, of the mighty ones of earth, and of the scribes; is a house and temple of God, against which no wind and water may do anything, standing secure, so that everything else which withstands the teaching which proceeds from it, denying its truth, may itself finally give evidence that it is a dwelling of God.

The believer's church is now maligned by the Pharisees and scribes as a habitation of the devil: yea, finally they shall hear, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God, etc. But of the house of the Pharisees and scribes, it shall be said, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird, etc. But to God (through whom everything which boasts that is is not, may be manifested that is) be all honor, praise and glory through His beloved Son, our Lord and Brother Jesus Christ. Amen.

Any 21st century "Christian" who attends any type of denomination institutionalized church, will all agree that to be carnally minded is natural, sin is part of a daily action and yet there will be no condemnation for their transgression of the law of God.

The Apostle Paul clearly teaches us that to be carnally minded is death:

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(Romans 8:6-8)

Christ himself also taught us to stop our sinning:

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
(John 8:10-11)

This was a direct commandment from Christ to the woman caught in adultery. It was not a request that she should give up sin, nor an option; It was a command! Even so we, as followers of Christ ought to keep ourselves from sin to be pure, even as he is pure.

Christ also told the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, after he had healed him, to sin no more:

And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
(John 5:13-14)

We can clearly see that the Bible teaches us not to sin; For if we commit sin we are not of Christ, but of the devil:

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
(1 John 3:8)

The most commonly used excuse is "I am under Grace, not under the law" or "God can not see my sin". Those that make an excuse for sin know not Christ nor his Word.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
(Romans 6:1-2)

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
(Romans 6:15-16)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(Hebrews 4:12)

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
(Hebrews 5:9)

Obedience is not optional, folks. It's not about claiming Christ and wearing the "christian cloak" on Sunday's and Wednesday's. It is about serving Christ daily, in obedience unto Him. If you are not serving Christ, you are not his own. It is that simple.

On a side note about the  "21st century Christian" that I mentioned at the top. If this person believes that they can continue in sin while following Christ, they are neither a Christian nor follow Christ and his teachings. Instead, they are of their father, the devil.