Historically, there are many Christians who have referenced Jesus’ teaching to support a doctrine of pacifism, and also to claim that Christians may not serve in the police and/or the military of the country where they are citizens. 1 This idea is based on the understanding that a Christian should never resist an evil directed at him and he will be required to do so if he serves in these branches of civil government. While it is true that Jesus’ words have an implication for the Christian and his involvement in the police/military, we must not absolutize any text without due respect for the context and flow of the argument, as well as what is taught elsewhere in Scripture. 2 With the Sermon on the Mount as a whole, we must remember that Jesus is making use of rhetorical overstatement. 3 Likewise with his teaching on an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,
Jesus has personal abuse and personal vengeance in view. 4
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.