Without a cause Matthew. Read what it says. Without a cause.
Rico, that's so beautifully put. I think I'm gonna post that scripture above all of my entryway doors, so they'll know that I'm a Christian and just not to give me a reason!
You are so correct DT. That's why I'm gonna pray while I'm shooting! "Lord, carry this bullet to it's intended target and shut him down, because I don't want to have to throw the gun at him too!"
lord give me a steady hand and a sharp eye, in Jesus name, lol
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A product of a pentecostal raisin, I am a hard man, just ask my children
I think it's very telling that some of the people in this thread, who have gone on and on about loving their enemies, have no problem whatsoever with trying to kill their own spiritual brothers and sisters in the Lord. Being compared to the sons of Sceva was insulting and indicative of the holier than thou mindset some people think they are entitled to. They have the nerve to question other's standing as Holy Ghost filled children of God, under the cloak of "righteous judgement", as if God has placed them in a position to judge the walk of other Christians. It's a sad day for Christians everywhere when it's OK to kill your spiritual brothers but a sin to defend your family from imminent danger. God help us all.
Originally Posted by stmatthew View Post
You really need to go back and read this passage IN CONTEXT. It is speaking of the ministry, not the authority of this world. The sword is the Word of God.
Also, read on down in that chapter and you come to this....
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.
That word KILL actually means "Murder" in the original Greek. There is a huge difference between murdering someone and defending one's family.
And about loving your neighbor as yourself, I actually preached on that very scripture Sunday. Listen, my family would definitely be considered my neighbor or even closer. If I love them as myself, then I will defend them against harm and danger, because I'd certainly want them to defend me, if I weren't able to defend myself.
In all sincerity. It would never be my desire to take anyone's life. If I was forced to have to do that, it would grieve me terribly and probably for the rest of my life. However, if I sat idly by allowed someone to harm my wife and daughter, I wouldn't even be much of a husband or daddy and I would certainly have to reevaluate my masculinity.
Ephesians 5:25, "Husbands, love your wife, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her..." Christ didn't have to do what He did for us, but He did it because He loved us. He saw us in harms way. We were headed to hell and He stepped up in our defense and gave Himself to save us from the harm that was upon us. Here the Apostle Paul says that we're to follow that example and give ourselves up for our wives. When I see my wife or children in danger, I'm gonna step up, even if it means risking my own life, because I love them and I'm gonna do everything in my power, including praying for them, that I can do. That's the duty and obligation of every husband and father who's physically able to do so.
Alright, now take it and twist it up and put your spin on it.
I think it's very telling that some of the people in this thread, who have gone on and on about loving their enemies, have no problem whatsoever with trying to kill their own spiritual brothers and sisters in the Lord. Being compared to the sons of Sceva was insulting and indicative of the holier than thou mindset some people think they are entitled to. They have the nerve to question other's standing as Holy Ghost filled children of God, under the cloak of "righteous judgement", as if God has placed them in a position to judge the walk of other Christians. It's a sad day for Christians everywhere when it's OK to kill your spiritual brothers but a sin to defend your family from imminent danger. God help us all.
true, very true
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A product of a pentecostal raisin, I am a hard man, just ask my children
I think it's very telling that some of the people in this thread, who have gone on and on about loving their enemies, have no problem whatsoever with trying to kill their own spiritual brothers and sisters in the Lord. Being compared to the sons of Sceva was insulting and indicative of the holier than thou mindset some people think they are entitled to. They have the nerve to question other's standing as Holy Ghost filled children of God, under the cloak of "righteous judgement", as if God has placed them in a position to judge the walk of other Christians. It's a sad day for Christians everywhere when it's OK to kill your spiritual brothers but a sin to defend your family from imminent danger. God help us all.
Amen Brother Rico. Very well and truthfully spoken!
I hope that I am Christian enough that if confronted, I personally can transmit the love of Christ.
However, if that confrontation involves my wife or children or any of my loved ones.... or even any of my fellow man... I think that changes things somewhat.
God placed within the heart of MEN the desire to protect their own. those that would harm mine will face me. I pray God gives me the capasity to do what ever it takes to keep my family safe.
the Centurian was not told to stop being one.
Jesus told his followers there was a time to take up the sword.
Soloman said there was a time to kill.
it may very well be beyond my ablility to do harm to anyone, but if they attempted to hurt either of my boys, you better believe that I would try my best to break that person into little bitty pieces.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
I hope that I am Christian enough that if confronted, I personally can transmit the love of Christ.
However, if that confrontation involves my wife or children or any of my loved ones.... or even any of my fellow man... I think that changes things somewhat.
God placed within the heart of MEN the desire to protect their own. those that would harm mine will face me. I pray God gives me the capasity to do what ever it takes to keep my family safe.
the Centurian was not told to stop being one.
Jesus told his followers there was a time to take up the sword.
Soloman said there was a time to kill.
it may very well be beyond my ablility to do harm to anyone, but if they attempted to hurt either of my boys, you better believe that I would try my best to break that person into little bitty pieces.
You are right, Ferd. How someone can say they would not be willing to defend the lives of their family, even if that includes killing their attacker is beyond me. I could not stand before God on judgement day, knowing I had been such a coward. As I pointed out to Ron last night, my position on this issue is not one taken because of a lack of faith. It is because of my faith.
A basic definition of an enemy would be anyone that is hostile towards another.
You say he doesn't hate you, but he sure would if you shot him.
LOL!
That's possible, but not necessarily.
There are things I don't like about people when I 'meet' them, but that doesn't mean I hate them if they do something wrong to me. They aren't my enemy just because they do something wrongful toward me. Perhaps they are just an ignorant person, or perhaps they are having a bad day. In those cases, I don't return evil for evil.
But with an intruder, it's a different story. Enemy or not, hateful or not, he's there to cause me harm in some way.
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I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
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