How does the Christian respond to security
threats? The wanton killings and the ineptitude or complicity of the government
are open sores. Ps 44:22(ESV) Yet
for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be
slaughtered.
See, we must understand the devil’s purpose
in coming with sustained violence. The purpose is far deeper than maiming or
killing the body. Job 2:4-5(ESV) Then
Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will
give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his
flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” It is Satan’s intention that we will curse God and abandon Christlikeness
in the midst of these sufferings. In essence, removing Christ from Christian
expression.
I don’t need theology. I want practical
steps in the face of this massacre. How do we react?
First, be proactive. Be security
conscious. So
the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the
theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's
companions in travel. But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the
disciples would not let him Act 19:29-30(ESV). Do not deliberately go into danger. This was exactly the
attitude of Jesus Christ, whom we must imitate. After this
Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews
were seeking to kill him. Jn7:1(ESV)
You need information in advance for that. What
do I do when they come with machetes and guns? I have every right to defend
myself. It is very legal to own a gun, you know.
I would encourage you to get away and hide.
No, don’t look at me like that. I know you are a brave and strong man. It is not
about courage to face the enemy physically, but courage to do what Jesus Christ
did and taught. And behold, one of
those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck
the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to
him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will
perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and
he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? Mt 26:51-53(ESV)
If in this life and death situation, Jesus
rebuked the use of physical force, it means He never wants us to do it. When He
said all who take up the sword, He meant all, including Christians.
We must all die somehow. You mean the
anointing of Samson is not there? That fire can no longer come down from heaven
to defend the Elijahs of today?
Please don’t. I sincerely beg you. And
seeing, His disciples James and John said, Lord, do You desire that we
command fire to come down from Heaven and consume them, even as Elijah
did? But He turned and rebuked them and said, You do not know of what
spirit you are. For the Son of Man has not come to destroy men's lives,
but to save. And they went to another village. Lk 9:54-56(MKJV) Just as Steven did, pray also for these evil men to repent. I beg
you to remember the real stakes in this whole conflict. It is not about saving
my life on earth but representing Jesus Christ accurately, whether by life or by
death. My deep desire and hope is that I shall never fail in my duty, but
that at all times, and especially right now, I shall be full of courage, so
that with my whole being I shall bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die Php
1:20(GNB) .
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