Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 9
The group quoted Irenaeus (“be willing to be defrauded,” “not regarding their evil intentions”) and applied it to robbery—possibly not calling the police even after the fact. What kind of trust in God (His character and His future judgment) would be required to live that way, and what parts of your current discipleship would have to change for that to be remotely plausible?
Another way to ask: If you chose not to call the police after being robbed, what kind of trust in God would you need (His goodness and His future judgment)? What would you have to change in your discipleship to live like that?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
To live Irenaeus’ counsel in the robbery scenario, the transcript suggests you’d need deep trust that God is truly good to the wicked even now, and that God’s final justice is real—so you can release your “rights” without panic. For that to be plausible, discipleship would need to shift toward practicing daily forgiveness, refusing offense, and cultivating a Spirit-led reflex of blessing rather than self-protection.
- Irenaeus is quoted: “give to him your cloak also… do not ask for them back… be willing to be defrauded… not regarding their evil intentions.”
- The speaker ties this to imitating God: the Father “makes the sun rise upon the evil and the good.”
- He emphasizes God’s kindness even to the wicked: the robber still experiences God’s gifts (breath, sun, rain), though future judgment is implied (“if… ends up in hell…”).
- He says such moments are rare “opportunity to obey Jesus… and… show… the true nature of God.”
- He connects readiness to daily habits: not taking offense, forgiving, praying for the driver who cuts you off, cultivating kindness toward “an abrasion” so that spirit guides you later.