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I 'really and truly' understand both sides of this issue.
I believe that the answer lies somewhere between the extremes.
I resist, refute, and rebuke - the following ideas / notions that seem to be coming across in some of the posts in this thread:
~ "It is clearly impossible for a gun to actually be used for any purpose other than to kill."
If you have to ask 'What other purpose is there?' - then, there is "a great deal" about the world that you do not understand...
~ "It is clearly factual that owning a gun will inevitably cause you to become a criminal / killer."
Otherwise, you would have agreed that it is actually possible to own a gun "all your life" - and never use it to hurt anyone...
~ "It is clearly evident that any 'average' / 'common' American citizen who owns a gun is very dangerous."
** shakes head **
Some people have been very successfully 'brainwashed'...
"No, it is not the gun owners..."
Yes - the day will come when we should "accept our fate" and not resist it - but instead, let it glorify God.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. ~ Revelation 12:11
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. ~ Revelation 13:7-10
The phrase "he that killeth with the sword" is not talking about self-defense - it is talking about premeditated aggressive action. Also, remember the context...
The phrase "the patience and the faith of the saints" is talking about the saints not becoming "aggressive" - but instead, remaining "as a lamb to the slaughter" - thus, allowing God to use them to glorify Himself.
Yes - it is instructing us to not take any "premeditated aggressive action" against anyone else. However, remember the context...
The phrase "it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them" clearly implies 'fighting' (even if short-lived).
However, until such a time as is necessary to do otherwise - we are to do what we are able where we are able - in the voting booth or on the battlefield (choosing the best possible option available, of course) - to "preserve the day" - for the sake of those who may benefit from it - and "with patience allow God to accomplish His will according to His timing"...
I do not believe that God wants anyone to not defend themselves in a scenario such as a thief breaking into their home...
Like I said above:
I believe that the answer lies somewhere between the extremes.
For the sake of "peace" in this thread - let every person:
~ judge by their own convictions and circumstances as to whether they should own / have / use a gun
~ apply whatever knowledge and understanding that they possess according to the measure of faith which they possess
~ dedicate themselves and their gun(s) to be servants of the Most High God
.
I believe that the answer lies somewhere between the extremes.
I resist, refute, and rebuke - the following ideas / notions that seem to be coming across in some of the posts in this thread:
~ "It is clearly impossible for a gun to actually be used for any purpose other than to kill."
If you have to ask 'What other purpose is there?' - then, there is "a great deal" about the world that you do not understand...
~ "It is clearly factual that owning a gun will inevitably cause you to become a criminal / killer."
Otherwise, you would have agreed that it is actually possible to own a gun "all your life" - and never use it to hurt anyone...
~ "It is clearly evident that any 'average' / 'common' American citizen who owns a gun is very dangerous."
** shakes head ** Some people have been very successfully 'brainwashed'...
"No, it is not the gun owners..."
Yes - the day will come when we should "accept our fate" and not resist it - but instead, let it glorify God.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. ~ Revelation 12:11
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. ~ Revelation 13:7-10
The phrase "he that killeth with the sword" is not talking about self-defense - it is talking about premeditated aggressive action. Also, remember the context...
The phrase "the patience and the faith of the saints" is talking about the saints not becoming "aggressive" - but instead, remaining "as a lamb to the slaughter" - thus, allowing God to use them to glorify Himself.
Yes - it is instructing us to not take any "premeditated aggressive action" against anyone else. However, remember the context...
The phrase "it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them" clearly implies 'fighting' (even if short-lived).
However, until such a time as is necessary to do otherwise - we are to do what we are able where we are able - in the voting booth or on the battlefield (choosing the best possible option available, of course) - to "preserve the day" - for the sake of those who may benefit from it - and "with patience allow God to accomplish His will according to His timing"...
I do not believe that God wants anyone to not defend themselves in a scenario such as a thief breaking into their home...
Like I said above:
I believe that the answer lies somewhere between the extremes.
For the sake of "peace" in this thread - let every person:
~ judge by their own convictions and circumstances as to whether they should own / have / use a gun
~ apply whatever knowledge and understanding that they possess according to the measure of faith which they possess
~ dedicate themselves and their gun(s) to be servants of the Most High God
.
