SHOULD CHRISTIANS GIVE UP THEIR GUNS?

Interesting discussions on this topic.

After reading the scriptures and quotes from the early church fathers, I believe what they are saying is to not involve yourself in worldly matters that an unbeliever would deem acceptable.

Case 1: if one were preaching the Gospel, the simple message, one would expect the world to react violently to the message since all the complications that revolved around religions (man’s control mechanism) would cease. The individual believer would be responsible to Christ and Christ alone. Thus, to meet violence with violence would impede the intentions of the Gospel of peace. If one were to strike me for proclaiming the Gospel and I would not return the violent response with violence but return with a blessing. I let the Father deal with the person, I have abdicated to God.

Case 2: Now, there is the greater good and the responsibility of the believer to do what is right. IF I saw another innocent person physically abused or suffered the attack myself, I believe my initial response would be to neutralize the evil (physically) and to rebuke the person for the sake of Christ. Now, to be perfectly honest, I probably would forget the rebuking portion…haha. In this situation, I was responding to an attacker who was drunk and threatened harm to another.

So, I see two situations. I have been exposed to both and I reacted differently. Have I been perfect to this code? Absolutely not, but I am learning. In one case, to do nothing would be a sin of omission which is addressed as severely in scripture as the sin of commission. I mean really to do nothing? I didn’t believe that is what Christ was calling me for in this case. In the other situation, I was not to take any action. And God did faithfully act in both.
I would comment, I am against arming myself to support the constitution or helping the government fight their wars. This world has chosen its course and as a foreigner to this world, I will abstain from the absurdity of worldly issues. I am speaking of situations that affect us directly and that call us to do good and with the appropriate biblical response. Again, this is only my opinion, and where I see The Lord guiding my life.

Do I condemn those who have a different response? Yes, just kidding. No, I leave it up to the Holy Spirit who directs the path of each of us. We can refuse to hear or we could listen. Who knows, those who choose to abstain from action, he may call someone to your defense although you are not led to respond to an act of violence? Who knows , those who are say they are quick to act to violence, you may have missed your chance to grow in The Lord? I know I have made mistakes by acting too quick to violence and, conversely, when I did not act quick enough . I have had success and failures. So, before we judge each other, to act or not to act, please keep in mind, God has everything under control and we are not to harden our hearts at the time of our trial.
Whatever your relationship is with The Lord, I say be obedient to His voice. Just make sure either decision is not out of pride.
Peace, and I am off to lurker land. For goodness sakes I can’t even spell my moniker correctly...
Edit1: adjusted for KB errors