This message really cleared up some misconceptions and misunderstandings I had about self defense, retaliation and the military. Thank you for this awesome video!!!!
I'm so pleasantly surprised! I always assumed he'd just be another mainstream, Calvinistic, God so loved His elect He gave his son, liberal preacher... This was spot on! Praise be to God!!! God bless!
Some comments confuse (as Stanley Hauerwas has pointed out) the "we" as Americans and the "we" as Christians. Learning to discern that led me from being a Marine. My story in Christian Pacifism: Fruit of the Narrow Way.
I am hooked on this Pastor. I learn so much. Thanks for your ministry. I lost my husband so early to cancer and these teachings help me daily. Blessings!!
Sure. I am a Christian and I carry a gun every day. See [Rom 13:1-4 KJV] where it says "1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil." We clearly have an authority from the State to defend ourselves in very specific circumstances. This authority that God gives to the State for self defense and the punishment of evildoers has to be done by people and faithful people have to take their self preservation seriously. Deadly force is something that should only be used when there is an imminent, unavoidable, deadly threat and no more force should ever be used than what is reasonably necessary to stop the threat in a proportional manner. However, the Christian should do everything that he can to avoid such a situation from becoming necessary. Sometimes, however, we are unfortunately put in situations where we have no choice but to do what we have to do to preserve the life that God gave us.
I'm buying a gun soon as a Christian man. For years I thought we were just to be stomped on. Then I read the old and new testament. Old testament there was many wars and bloodshed against and destroying evil tribes. That was commanded by God himself. We need to know that we are protectors/defenders of our household and not offenders. At the end, to give a chance to the offender if he speaks to give up his ways and forgive him.
Please don't. What is that gun for? What good is it going to do? You are talking about forgiving people who change their ways. But how are they suppossed to change their ways after you shot them? How are they going to know to change their ways? If someone attacks you, and you pull a gun on them, they are prepared for that. They knew there was a chnace of that happening and violence is going to escalate. No one has ever repented at gunpoint. But countless souls have been moved by the martyrs' dedication to peace. Please. If you buy a gun and you are willing to use it, you might end up taking someone's life. Are you prepared for that? I pray you change your mind. God will protect you and reveal himself to the evildoer. That hunk of metal only brings death. I beg you
Bethsheba was not the guilty party , in the matter . She had no choice due to: 1) you did not refuse a Kings command to appear , 2) she had family members in David's court and her husband in David's army , if she had refused David ; David could see to it she , her family and her husband be accused and put to death for treason. David took advantage of his positition as King to take something that was not his .
um no... you think she didn't know there was a clear view from the castle?? lol you can't get a person to show themselves even if there's the slightest chance of someone seeing them, even if you try to set something up artificially, let alone...
@@Yessentuki4 david went on his roofTOP. Not a balcony. He didnt gaze out of a haphazard window by chance. He went up there to see what he could see. He wasn't on the field with his armies either. He was at home, instead of deployed. Also, Women also bathed in their courtyards, usually wrapped in a clothe. She was not naked, she most likely had servants with her and she probably was bathing herself to ritually purify herself after a menstrual cycle. Anyways, perhaps read or watch the various commentary on this subject and come to a reasonable conclusion instead of jumping to one. God bless.
@@SecretplaceintheGlory if you're so historically aware then you should know that the roof was the "balcony" back then... There's no evidence for everything you said besides trying to support the version that has been spread for years... Watch less modern entertainment "documentaries"
God's told his people to take Jericho, He let David kill Goliath, etc... What Greg said about John 15 is soo amazingly true. Whenever I dive deeper into my Christian life, the enemy works overtime and I can feel it! It just affirms that I'm really pissing him off tho :) If my daily life is going a lil too smooth, I must be slackin and off satan's radar. Persecution is depressing and gets the best of you, unless u realize the unseen!
The truly Elected "Sons of God" must obey Christ's commands on this subject. "27 But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, 28 bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you. 29 To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also". Luke @-29 (ASV) One cannot be loving their enemies by harming and killing them. It's just impossible! Even self defense and retaliation Christ has ruled out. For as Scripture states: "36 Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Romans @-36 (ASV) "False brethren" may well disobey and harm and kill and retaliate, but the true and conscientious faithful brother of the Lord, knows it is better to die then disobey Christ's command not to "Kill" or "Murder" or hate an enemy. After all has not Christ promised: " 25 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew @-26 (ASV)
This what you say is pure cowardice. The very reason why our nation is out of control. Look and see who God said Would not enter into the kingdom of Almighty GOD. The very first one is a Coward.
@@edqueener863 Well, Ed, they are the Lord Christ's words you are calling cowardly. "The very reason why our nation is out of control" is because they refuse to obey Christ's teachings. "But I say LOVE your enemies, do good to those who HATE you and would dispitefully use you"
“But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.” “Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.” “That’s enough,” he said. Luke 22:36-38 NLT Saw you post a similar post in another video about Christians and self defense. I ask you the same thing I asked you there. Given how literal his disciples were known to be and appear to flat out show him two swords. And Jesus seems to approve of them having the weapons. How do you disqualify self defense? There is a huge difference between Defending and Avenging but I genuinely want to know how you explain this.
You've be been taught that when someone hurts you, you have the right to hurt them back; to get revenge. But I say, that you resist not an evil person. If someone strikes you, don't strike back. Forego any desire for vengeance. Welcome the unjust actions of the sinner. Love your enemy. Your love and forgiving attitude is as hot coals on their conscience. Love covers a multitude of sins.
Nathan Baker That is in the context of forgiveness, as the Lord is teaching believers how it is to live with all humbleness and meekness toward other people. Self-defense is another subject. A believer has the right to defend himself in a situation where he sees his life is threatened and that of others. A believer does not sin against God when defending himself and others in a situation where he feels his life is in danger. A believer can forgive those who persecute him, but not turn his back against an attacker if he knows his life is in peril. In Exodus 22:2-3, If a thief broke into a house at night, he would have to fear the homeowner, who would not be able to determine an intruder’s intentions, whether he is after the property or harm to the occupants. The homeowner would not be at fault for killing the thief. Notice, however, that even the thief’s life was valued; because if a thief broke in during the daytime (when his intentions would be clear) and were killed by the owner, then the owner would be guilty of murder. While reasonable self-defense is recognized in Scripture, value for human life is the rule. And I believe it is a matter of judging the situation and/or circumstances that the act can be justified or not in the light of God’s moral standard.
Raphael Forgiveness has nothing to do with absolving the act. It is simply renouncing all rights to vengeance and leaving room for God’s wrath. A weapons trainer, the late Colonel Jeff Cooper taught “It is not about killing or wounding! It is about stopping! The only concern one has is “This hostile action must stop! If the attacker dies, so be it but the only matter at hand is that the attacker must stop!”
Bernie EOD Yes, and that is very true. Self-defense is not about killing your attacker. It is deflecting the attack, and if you have any means to save his life then you should do it on account of life value. Murder is the crime of unlawfully killing a person-especially with malice or forethought. Murder, therefore, is distinguished from killing by the issue of motive. Jesus identified that motive behind murder as anger in Matthew 5:21-22. In Matthew, Christ goes to the root of the behavior and sees the anger behind the action. The act of murder is still subject to the punishment we see in Genesis 9:6. Notice, however, that even the thief’s life was valued. If a thief broke in during the daytime (when his intentions would be clear) and were killed by the owner, then the owner would be guilty of murder. While reasonable self-defense is recognized in Scripture, value for human life is the rule.
@@paeng46 Sorry. once you cross the line to where deadly force becomes justified, your life is forfeit. I aim for the center of mass, Not for a non vital area. If he dies, he dies.
Jesus was a pacifist so should i be i may be killed for believing in Jesus but i trust him and if i have to die for him i pray that i will have the strength to not denounce jesus to save my mortal life to lose eternal life. I pray for your strength jesus to love my enemy even if my enemy kills me hallelujah praise jesus amen
This was great, except you used "the sinners prayer" at the end to act as the bridge between sinners and christ. It's actually much more than that. You cannot simply be in Christ by saying a prayer. Please research the scripture for yourself and realize that the "sinners prayer" is an unbiblical teaching of how to become a christian. Hear Believe Repent Confess And be baptized God bless.
The other cheek had to do with dealing with an unrulely neighbor , meant don't retaliate in kind, it does mean you cannot de fend yourself from a violent person.
@@berenc7619 I believe the Bible gives us knowledge about the God given right that we have to self defense. See [Rom 13:1-4 KJV] where it says "1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil." We clearly have an authority from the State to defend ourselves in very specific circumstances. This authority that God gives to the State for self defense and the punishment of evildoers has to be done by people and faithful people have to take their self preservation seriously. Deadly force is something that should only be used when there is an imminent, unavoidable, deadly threat and no more force should ever be used than what is reasonably necessary to stop the threat in a proportional manner. However, the Christian should do everything that he can to avoid such a situation from becoming necessary. Sometimes, however, we are unfortunately put in situations where we have no choice but to do what we have to do to preserve the life that God gave us.
@@jamescooper7272 i ask because I constantly am messed with by a group of men. I try to not take revenge and expose my wrath, but at times, it feels justified. Like God is telling me to reason with them, and if they try to attack, defend my life with God's wrath. If that makes any sense.
@@berenc7619 NO! Almighty God will defend you, as and if He decides it is necessary! "7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Psalms 34:6-7 (KJV)
@@earnestlycontendingforthef5332 Taking self defense classes and having faith that God will protect you are not mutually exclusive. Matthew 6:26-34 "26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [a]cubit to his [b]stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [c]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Jesus is saying that God will provide for his people, but that doesn't mean you don't need to get a job or go to the store and buy food. Even the birds used in this example had to go outside and catch their food, they couldn't just stay in their nest and have the food delivered to them. Using this same logic, you can put your faith in God that he will protect you, and at the same time, take self defense classes as that's the equivalent of getting a job or going to the store to acquire food.
I am a Christian and an American and I carry a gun every day as a part of my job. I believe the Bible gives us knowledge about the God given right that we have to self defense. See [Rom 13:1-4 KJV] where it says "1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil." We clearly have an authority from the State to defend ourselves in very specific circumstances. This authority that God gives to the State for self defense and the punishment of evildoers has to be done by people and faithful people have to take their self preservation seriously. Deadly force is something that should only be used when there is an imminent, unavoidable, deadly threat and no more force should ever be used than what is reasonably necessary to stop the threat in a proportional manner. However, the Christian should do everything that he can to avoid such a situation from becoming necessary. Sometimes, however, we are unfortunately put in situations where we have no choice but to do what we have to do to preserve the life that God gave us.
The 2nd Amendment and the American Revolution are very important and should not be ignored by society nor should they be ignored by us; however, they are not important when considering a Biblical worldview.
The American Revolt resulted in christian on christian blood shed for your constitutional rights against the Christian monarchy to come out from under the King which put America under a curse according to romans 13 vs2 . Jesus did not die for your rights he died for your sins. Ps find me an example biblically where the 1st century church used a sword to defend there person?
