This subject has always been troublesome for me, maybe because I in my younger days I had no issue with you punch me, well it is coming back, then I have always believed that God gave me a family and I firmly believes expects me to care for them, including protection...Yes I agree, with pray for the enemy, offer help, but at the same time this passage's prior verse Paul writes "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peacefully with all men......IF POSSIBLE----we are called to do everything in our power to be at peace with others, but because of others crappy attitude being at peace just is not possible, it is possible to avoid confrontation , but not always......Then the 1st time Jesus sent the guys out He told them to take nothing, then towards the end of Jesus's time over in Luke22 :36 He told them if they did not have a sword to sell their garment and buy one....now people say, no, he was speaking of a knife, but in Greek knife and sword are 2 different words and Greek for sword is a weapon, namely for war.....It is said that Jesus recognized all the troubles coming along and was telling them to be prepared......We can come up with many, many passages of Scripture to support both sides of this discussion, but we can't just take a verse or 2 to attempt to get a clear understanding.....I do firmly believe that God takes care, I firmly believe that what comes around, goes around.....but I firmly believe God allows us to care for ourselves.....we are required to do everything we can to promote peace and reconciliation, but this does not mean the other person believes the same way and I don't think God holds us responsible for the outcome. Would be great if we had a big round table, a big ole pot of coffee, several reference books, our Bibles and a couple of evenings to sort this subject out....
