Firearms Refresher Course

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Originally Posted by stmatthew

So you only espouse to defending others, and not yourself?

I have had my lights knocked out for my testimony. I did not defend myself.

Bro, that is a big stretch. Please tell me how I can shoot down my enemy, and love him at the same time? That IS what we are commanded to do, isn't it? Love your enemies.

In the case of war or capital punishment, it is the love of God in your heart for the "greater good." It is not that you hate your enemy. It is not that you want to render evil for evil against your enemy. It is not that you want to take revenge on your enemy. It is a case of loving God, loving your neighbor, and loving the cherished, blood bought freedoms given to you, your family, your neighbors and for all your descendants greater than the loss of the life of your enemy.

He is not willing to serve the greater good is too narowly focused upon SELF than to be willing to sacrifice self, life, fortune and property for that greater good. As a young man, I knelt and prayed with tears before I entered into the Armed Forces to SERVE you, your family, your neighbors and the future of your nation. I prayed that God would make me the very best that I can be, fully realizing that I might be called on to do the most despised part of military obligations. God did that for me. Today many years later, I have the Department of the USAF certificate hanging on my hallway wall, acknowledging my exceptional service, given to a very few. I proudly display that metal on my clothes even today and admire my own Certificate hanging on my wall, knowing that God helped me to do the best SERVICE that I could render.

I was committed THEN as I am NOW to serve the greater good. It is a principle that is outward focused rather than inward focused.

I think this comment is quite underneath you. BUt none the less, I cannot speak for him, only to say that I did not see where he stated he would hold his wifes hand only while the rapist had his way with her.

Underneath me? Whatelse are you left to believe when the scriptures say to do good to them that does evil? It is HIS own words. I can only imagine what he would do in the way of doing good for this rapist. Maybe prepare dinner for him when he is through? Certainly, he would not knock the man's head off his shoulders because that would be "rendering evil for evil?" So why would you say it is underneath me?

The Old Testament call to "go in and conquer" was a shadow of the Spiritual war we now fight, otherwise Jesus would not have told Peter to put away his sword. The land we go in and possess is not this carnal land, but a spiritual land. Unless of coarse you believe in the "Dominion Now" false doctrine that is being espoused.

Shadow? Yes! But it is MORE than a mere shadow. There was a national interest involved. Had there not been such a national interest, there would not have been an ISRAEL that finally made it into the promised land. The same is true today. Nothing has changed in that regard. God has set up nations for the sake of the people dwelling in that nation. If there were not such thing as national defense...................it is hard to understand your thinking here. Do you suppose you would have what you have today? Have you ever studied the Revolutionary War against Britain? Have you not read how GOD helped the little rag tag Continental Army whip the greatest military force in the world at that time? Can you not see how God has helped the American Armies in wars of her past? You should hear how God helped my Uncle who was right in the middle of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium during the WWII. God has been revealed so powerfully in working with the American Armies that it is impossible for me to see the Pacificist point of view...since there is a godly interest of the "greater good" involved.

Bro, I am sorry, but there is not one place in the new testament that calls us to take up arms to defend ourselves or our families, but I have provided scripture that implies just the opposite. So the burden of proof is now on you.

I suppose if I were to turn the scriptures around as you all have, I would be a rank pacificist too. But, I am glad that I have a different concept of each of them that seems to me to be a much broader meaning than you all have applied to them.

I have been very plain to say I do not know what I would do in such a case, while showing what I believe scripture says. But my actions, or non-actions has no bearing on scripture. Thus far, all I have seen from the opposite side is supposition, and not sound doctrine. If I am wrong, I have no problem changing my view, as to me this is not a salvational type issue, but just a view. But until someone can present scriptural support when the New Testament gives quite a few verses like "Love you enemies", then I will continue believing what I believe, and hope I never have to be tested in this area.

Cetainly, I understand your confusion or vacilating thoughts. But for me, I clearly understand both the spirit and the letter of the Word in all of the suppose pacificist scriptures. There is no doubt, no conflict, no vacilation on my part. Hence, there is the integrity of thought, scripture and subsequent action without the least hesitation.