This is an issue that I have found myself on both sides of. Right when I feel I have come to a conclusion I find I cannot commit to it. My Conscience tells me that I can just trust God and do not need to bear arms for protection. My conscience also tells me that I have the right to protect myself and those I love. If someone is hurting like my future child or wife, I will obviously step in and stop it. But what if I am in a life or death situation? Can I arm myself and protect my family then? Or do I submit to God and allow him to protect me. Or is my ability to wield a weapon God’s way of protecting me?
Luke 22:35-37
New International Version (NIV)
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. 36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
Why would Jesus first send them out with nothing, and then later allow them to take a purse, a bag, and a sword? I believe Jesus wanted them to learn how to trust God without any possessions before learning to trust God with their possessions. One of these possessions was a sword. Jesus made a special point of making sure the disciples had a sword. If Jesus was a pure pacifist as I have formally believed why would he instruct the disciples to buy a sword?
It is interesting that I have such inner turmoil about a subject that Jesus did not feel the need to preach about. I believe that we can trust all things to God, but God does want us to be wise. There have been many stories of God fearing Christians who have not brought a child to a hospital because they believe God will do the healing miraculously. Often this child needlessly dies. But is it not right to trust God with everything? I believe part of trusting God is using the resources he has given us to survive and succeed in life. Depending on God often means depending on the World he created. We do this every day for food, transportation, and life in general.
I have come to the conclusion that having a gun for the protection of my family and myself is completely God supported. We can trust God with a weapon and without. But if we are without we may be hurt needlessly in the same way as a child who is not brought to the hospital. I am not saying there are no problems with owning guns either, I am just attempting to interrpret scripture. So all you Disciples of Christ out there, If you don’t have a gun, go sell your Coat and go buy one.. or something like that. I will write more about this in the future. What do you think?
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Are you living in the New Covenant or Old?
2 Corinthinians 3: 7-18
Christians today could be living ignorantly under a covenant of death. In chapter three of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, Paul address’s the topic of covenant change. Paul uses the well-known Old Testament story of Moses and the Ten Commandments to explain the glory of the New Covenant that Jesus Christ established. Within this passage, Paul sheds light on an interesting concept. Even today God fearing Christians could place themselves under the weight of the Old Covenant which Paul refers to as the ministry of death.
In 2 Corinthians 3: 15-16 Paul writes, “Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” Paul clearly shows in this passage that a veil is imagery for the old covenant, and being, “Unveiled,” represents the new covenant. It is possible for Christians today to be living with a spiritual veil; resulting in condemnation, judgment, and powerlessness.
New Testament Christians have been given a counselor to lead them in ways of truth. This is the glory of the new covenant. It is promised that the Holy Spirit will be with us forever. Submitting to the spirit of almighty God is how we can walk in freedom. Freedom is not opportunity to indulge in fleshly desires. This does not give us the freedom to do whatever we want. Instead this freedom gives us the power to do what we formally could not, which is living in righteousness. True Christ won liberty is the opportunity to serve, worship, and walk beside our creator God. This gives us the greatest joy and a boldness to proclaim Gods truth and glory.
Many believers may become offended at the notion that they might not be walking in the freedom of the new covenant. They may be offended at the thought that they are being asked to turn to the Lord. This offense is one of the best signs that a person is not living under the new covenant. It is only by turning to Christ every single day that we can be transformed in ever-increasing glory.
Are you living in freedom with the spirit? Or are you living in condemnation and powerlessness? Turn to the Lord.. let the Holy Spirit lead you and enjoy the empowering freedom Christ bought for you!
Christians today could be living ignorantly under a covenant of death. In chapter three of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, Paul address’s the topic of covenant change. Paul uses the well-known Old Testament story of Moses and the Ten Commandments to explain the glory of the New Covenant that Jesus Christ established. Within this passage, Paul sheds light on an interesting concept. Even today God fearing Christians could place themselves under the weight of the Old Covenant which Paul refers to as the ministry of death.
In 2 Corinthians 3: 15-16 Paul writes, “Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” Paul clearly shows in this passage that a veil is imagery for the old covenant, and being, “Unveiled,” represents the new covenant. It is possible for Christians today to be living with a spiritual veil; resulting in condemnation, judgment, and powerlessness.
New Testament Christians have been given a counselor to lead them in ways of truth. This is the glory of the new covenant. It is promised that the Holy Spirit will be with us forever. Submitting to the spirit of almighty God is how we can walk in freedom. Freedom is not opportunity to indulge in fleshly desires. This does not give us the freedom to do whatever we want. Instead this freedom gives us the power to do what we formally could not, which is living in righteousness. True Christ won liberty is the opportunity to serve, worship, and walk beside our creator God. This gives us the greatest joy and a boldness to proclaim Gods truth and glory.
Many believers may become offended at the notion that they might not be walking in the freedom of the new covenant. They may be offended at the thought that they are being asked to turn to the Lord. This offense is one of the best signs that a person is not living under the new covenant. It is only by turning to Christ every single day that we can be transformed in ever-increasing glory.
Are you living in freedom with the spirit? Or are you living in condemnation and powerlessness? Turn to the Lord.. let the Holy Spirit lead you and enjoy the empowering freedom Christ bought for you!
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