With all the evil happening in the world today, many of us have been a little comforted that here in America we have the 2nd Amendment which guarantees our right to bear arms.
You never know when some whack-job junkie or gang banger may appear and threaten you or your loved ones, or even some other innocent bystander.
Studying American History, we see many preachers and congregations engaged in fighting the British in order to secure freedom for our nation.
In the OT there was a lot of killing going on directed by God. He ordered His people to kill their enemies.
But then, Jesus comes on the scene and says this:
Then you also have this scripture:Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ...
Studying early church history, we see that the Apostles didn't fight or kill to preserve their lives, and during the Reformation we also don't see the reformers taking up arms against the RCC. Instead, they boldly proclaimed the Truth.28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Confess Christ Before Men
32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; 36 and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
On the other hand, John the baptist tells soldiers:
He never told them to quit being soldiers, and soldiers are quite often required to kill.Luke 3:14
New King James Version
14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?"
So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages."
Peter never told Cornelius to quit being a soldier when he was converted.
Paul said this:
So, where does the scripture give disciples the right/responsibility to kill anybody?Romans 13:3-5
New King James Version
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.
Should we instead just simply focus on making disciples of Jesus who don't have to fear death?
Jesus said not to fear him who can kill your body and do no more to you.
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
I love the Lord and hate evil. The Word of God says that no murderer will see the kingdom of God.
In man's eyes/law there is such a thing as self defense. But where would that fit in with "Love your enemies and pray for those who would spitefully use you"????
I think this is an important question to answer, but it must be totally scripture based, because our eternal destiny may depend on it.
Does anyone else feel this conflict within themselves?
Are we supposed to just handle things like David Wilkerson did when threatened by Nicky Cruz with a knife?