As much as I resist the conclusion emotionally, it is becoming increasingly evident to me that the only ultimate option for a true disciple of Jesus, in the midst of conflict, is non-resistance. If we do not practice nonresistance, it is too likely that we will dishonor the Gospel of the grace of God in Christ.

How can we be believed when we say that we forgive our enemies and rivals in the name of Jesus if we exhibit the same lust to self-righteous victory that they are exhibiting? At some point, the faithful disciple must yield - allowing opponents to win, to have the nation or the world they think they want, providing them merely with the memory of one who forgave and cared for them, even in the midst of conflict.

When Jesus was crucified, the Roman soldier was heard to compromise his own position and prestige when he said, "Truly, this was a righteous man." He only did so because he knew enough of Jesus to know that he did not "go down swinging," that his attitude was not, "Looking out for number one," or "I don't get mad, I just get even," that he had a mode of living that was undeniably good and noble.

From his deepest, most honest essence, Jesus exhibited the fact that he was living in a better realm than the one most people most of the time take for granted in their daily life. I certainly expect that the Roman soldier who said that went on to lead a remarkable life; most likely, a life that was cut off early by someone with a more conventional view of righteousness.

What brings these thoughts to mind is my recent experiences of just how willfully ignorant, self-defensive, blindly self-justifying, and irrational folks are in defending their own religious, political, relational, sexual, ethnic, national, marital, educational or financial identity or agenda.

Pleading for "civility" from one's opponents only, while not even recognizing incivility in those with whom one agrees.
Arrogantly denouncing arrogance.
Riots in the cause of peace and non-violence.
Criticizing people for being critical.
Defending "women's rights" unless the perpetrator agrees, or the woman disagrees, with our politics.
Shunning "aggression" but embracing passive aggression.
In the face of the identical behavior, criticism for our rivals and excuses for our friends.
The inability to see one's own anger - producing irrational fear of those upon whom one projects that anger.

It seems clear to me that blind human evil is never more likely to raise its fierce head than when we are defending our viewpoint about what is good, or right, or just, or fair, or true. We seem increasingly unable to disagree agreeably, or even to listen respectfully. Increasingly, our passions seem to need to play the innocent victim while attacking what we regard as the wicked opponent (s) of our identity and agenda.

This willful blindness transcends all the usual boundaries we use to distinguish ourselves from each other: profession, appearance, gender, ethnicity, politics, income, etc.

Personally, I want to learn to choose defeat in a confrontation with a "bad person" rather than to defeat that person in his or her self-serving arena of battle. And if it is possible that I'm "the bad person" - which it is - all the more reason to seek to lose.

There are significant biblical exceptions, most notably those involving the military and law enforcement (Romans 13:4). Also perhaps John 2:14-17, which I am having a hard time applying to the present day Christian realm. But as with all things truly Christian, it is more a matter of the condition of one's deepest, most genuine essence than one's public activities or actions.

It must have been so painful for Jesus to be so willfully misunderstood, so lied about, so defenseless in the presence of those who were experts at manipulating the political and religious system (Matthew 24). But in the end he surely knew that at least some would see the wickedness for what it truly was, would be inspired by the new vision He had given them, even to the point of following His Way. "Take up your cross and follow me." One by one, in one situation or another, we are intended to catch that vision, I believe. Even if it saves no one else from drowning in the toilet of the world and its falsely moral rhetoric, one can at least save oneself. And it will almost certainly save others. It is at least arguable that it has been transforming the "real world" - though at a slow, grinding pace.

Does this mean that we are called by God to be doormats? Codependents? Enablers? Pathetic victims?

Hardly. If Jesus had been any of these, he would never have been such a danger to the scribes, Pharisees and Romans. He spoke eloquently, He taught profound details. He stood up to evil more than any other person in history. He just did it in a way that proved how remarkable he was. He demonstrated his "Way" powerfully and courageously - all as the lies and manipulation built up to a crucifixion that proved, once and for all, the nature of conventional human religion and conventional "goodness." And enough people noticed to make it worth the trouble. If the resurrection meant nothing else, it would mean that, and that would be more than enough. "Take up your cross and follow me."