Tuesday, December 22, 2009

what is right in God's eye's

    I normally write my articles on political subjects, but today I have a moral dilemma. I am a hand to hand combat instructor and a believer in the second amendment, the right to bear arms. I also believe that if you own a gun you should know how to use it.
   Tonight I had what I will respectfully call a "debate" with my fiance. We are both Christians, we both believe in, and love Jesus, but, as with most Christians, we have completely different views on many things. To make a long story short, our debate was about self defense and war. Now, unless I got it wrong, and I don't believe I did because we have had this "debate" many times, my fiance believes that violence should not be an option. She believes in all circumstances we should put our faith in God. Now, she has also trained in ju-juitsu, karate, kick boxing, and owns a gun, so she is not without knowledge of the means of self defense. She also can point to bible scripture that would seem to back up her feelings. For example, Matthew 5:38-39, "You have heard it said, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. However I say to you, do not resist him that is wicked, but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other also to him." She told me that if someone were to come into the house to take her away that she would not fight back or resist, but put her full faith in God. This shows a great faith in God, but that is not my dilemma. This is a belief held by a lot of Christians.
   I then pointed out the new testament scripture, Luke 22:36-38 which say's, " Then he said to them, but now let the one who has a purse take it up, likewise also a food pouch, and let the one having no sword sell his outer garment and buy one. For I tell you that this which is written must be accomplished in me, namely. And he was reckoned with lawless ones. For that which concerns me is having an accomplishment. Then they said, "Lord, look! here are two swords. And he said to them, It is enough."
   Now, we could go back and forth with scripture, both old and new testament, justifying our position, but that would just be humans trying to figure out Gods will. It's all in the interpretation. Here is my moral question. When the Nazi's were committing genocide against our Jewish brothers and sisters and killing millions of others, did it offend God that we went to war to defeat them? When we picked up arms against our fellow countrymen to free our black brothers and sisters from murder, rape and the atrocity of slavery, did we sin against God?
   To get more personal, if I encounter a man trying to rape a woman on the street, and, having the ability to stop him, instead do nothing, have I pleased God with my non violence?
   Even closer to home, if a man breaks into my house and tries to rape a loved one, and I use deadly force to stop him, have I angered God? This is my dilemma. I don't want to be wrong.
   I will pray about this every day. I will do what I think is right in God's eyes. If necessary, I will defend the weak, I will defend my family, I will defend my neighbors and my Country. I will do this until God answers my prayers and tells me I am wrong. I ask all of you who read this to comment on what you believe is God's will. Maybe God will answer me through one of you. Thank you.

This is Paul Revere, and even though this isn't a political article, I am still reminding you, 
"THE RED COATS ARE COMING"
   

1 comment:

Freedom's Voice said...

Thank you for sharing your dilemma as I think it is one that all of us have thought about at one time or another. My thoughts are that there is a time and a place for everything. Check out Ecclesiastes 3: 2-8 especially verse 8. There will be times to be peaceful and there will be times when we will be at war. Perhaps one day we will evolve to the point where war and violent behavior no longer exist in our DNA. Perhaps we will not. In the meantime we have those among us who are peacemakers, those who have evil violent intentions, and those who are righteous warriors. It seems that you are a righteous warrior, one designed for the fight against evil. The task before you is to learn to put all aspects of your life in Gods hands and learn to trust him and him alone with every cell in your body. Lift up to him all the knowledge you have of self-defense and hand to hand combat. Trust in the Lord that you were created for a holy purpose. Seek His will daily. In these last days we all need to immerse ourselves daily in the Word and you wil find this helpful too. Remember that there are some Bible figures such as Jacob that wrestled with the Angels (theres some hand to hand combat for you). The fundamental issue here is trust--trusting the Lord with your knowledge and gifts. You are strong--God is stronger. The gifts that you have come from Him and are meant to build up and protect others. They are for the common good. They are not given to everyone. So now you must surrender your gifts to Him so you can receive His divine guidance on how to use them. There is a place for your gifts in God's kingdom. Remember He created you this way and He doesn't make mistakes! There is a great book you should read called God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew. Brother Andrew is a perfect example of someone with boldness brashness and derring do. God used those qualities greatly to His glory and He can do the same with you. Trust--and obey! Here are some good watch verses: Psalms 25:4-5; Psalm 26: 2; Psalm 18: 31-42; Psalm 32: 8-9; Psalm 37: 1-6. I could go on but I have to get ready for work! Suffice to say the Bible is rich with battle imagery--wrestling, shields, swords, etc. Our Lord is no stranger to battle. The same battles being fought on earth are being fought in heaven. Trust that He created you with your gifts and that you have a purpose in His kingdom. Another good book to read is Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life. Hope this helps! You are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep telling us the Redcoats are coming!
Freedom's Voice