A terrible storm came into a town and local officials sent out an emergency warning that the riverbanks would soon overflow and flood the nearby homes. They ordered everyone in the town to evacuate immediately.
A faithful Rachel 20 heard the warning and decided to stay, saying to herself, “I will trust God and if I am in danger, then God will send a divine miracle to save me.”
The neighbors came by Rachel20’s house and said to her, “We’re leaving and there is room for you in our car, please come with us!” But Rachel20 declined. “I have faith that God will save me.”
As Rachel20 stood on her porch watching the water rise up the steps, a man in a canoe paddled by and called to her, “Hurry and come into my canoe, the waters are rising quickly!” But Rachel20 again said, “No thanks, God will save me.”
The floodwaters rose higher pouring water into her living room and Rachel20 had to retreat to the second floor. A police motorboat came by and saw Rachel20 at the window. “We will come up and rescue you!” they shouted. But Rachel20 refused, waving them off saying, “Use your time to save someone else! I have faith that God will save me!”
The flood waters rose higher and higher and the Rachel20 had to climb up to her rooftop.
A helicopter spotted her and dropped a rope ladder. A rescue officer came down the ladder and pleaded with Rachel20, "Grab my hand and I will pull you up!" But the man STILL refused, folding her arms tightly to her body. “No thank you! God will save me!”
Shortly after, the house broke up and the floodwaters swept Rachel20 away and she drowned.
When in Heaven, Rachel20 stood before God and asked, “I put all of my faith in You. Why didn’t You come and save me?”
And God said, “Rachel20, I sent you a warning. I sent you a car. I sent you a canoe. I sent you a motorboat. I sent you a helicopter. What more were you looking for?”
I too place my trust in Christ. Which is why I am willing to use the tools (tools in the story above = warnings, boats and helicopter) God gives us to protect others and myself from violent crimes. If you prefer not to use the tools (that is what a firearm is) Christ gave us to defend others and yourself that is certainly your right. As a born again believer I do believe in using the tools God gave me, which is why I carry a high capacity 1911 semi-automatic 45 almost everywhere I go! I pray I never have to use it, but if I need to defend someone or myself it is there (cocked, locked, and ready to rock)! If you choose to toss the tools God gave us aside, that is your right and your choice. As for me I choose to use the tools God gave me and if you want to condemn me for doing so go ahead, your condemnation means nothing. After all it is not you I will answer to on judgment day but instead God!
Like you said “However my perspective is influenced by the fact I am a Christian.”