[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Rico

Brother, the use of deadly force in defending one's family is not an issue that is specifically addressed in the NT. You are equating loving your enemies to include not defending one's family to the point of killing the perpetrator. I love my enemies and even gave you an example of such. I have more, if you need them.

I do not, however, love my enemies more than I love my family, plain and simple. My responsibility as a husband and father includes defending them to the death, whether that means my death or the one who makes the mistake of attacking me and my family. We are not talking about going off half-cocked and blowing someone's head off for picking on one of my kids or making inappropriate comments towards my wife. We are talking about the life of my family being in danger.

The Bible teaches that a man will reap what he sows. It also teaches that one who lives by the sword will die by the sword and that with the measure a man metes he will also be judged by. That holds true for criminals as well. If one thinks it wholly appropriate to break into the home of a God fearing gun toting Christian and loses his life because of it, then he has reaped the seeds of violence that he's sown, died by the sword he chose to live by, and received the judgement he deserved for not respecting the life of the wrong person. You can not chuck the principles of justice found in the Word in favor of another principle that teaches to love your enemies. You are incorrectly applying the principle to the situation that is being described.

No I am not incorrectly applying the principle. Jesus very plainly stated that we are to love our enemies. Is the robber that comes into your home with the intent to do harm an enemy??