Ok so I want to start a weekend topic dealing with subject matters that are controversial.  Yep  stuff you’re not gonna like.  Or at least will have a strong opinion about.  Actually, I want this to be a lively debate about what you think, and more importantly, why you think what you do.

So today’s topic of choice is Guns and gun control

Yep I put it out there.  I’m not skeered. 🙂

As a Christian, not an American, not a republican, not a democrat.  What should be my take on gun ownership?  You TELL ME.

Now before I have people make assumptions about me and where I’m going, let me tell you a few things.  I do not own a gun.  BUT I want one.  I have voted republican all life, but I did vote for President Obama.  I am a conservative Christian.  (How do ya like me now?)

Oh for those that wonder, I’m college educated with a graduate degree.  I’ve lived in urban and suburbia, I’ve had my home broken into several times and have witnessed gun violence personally, and have had my own brother violently taken from me due to gun violence.

So I figure for those that need to put me in a box…good luck with that one.

So here’s my take on WWJD.  I think as an American, yep I have the constitutional right to own a gun.  No doubt about it.  Hey as I already mentioned I actually do want to purchase a handgun at some point.  I understand that government does not like an armed citizenry.  I get that historically, and the idea that we should not fear government is naïve to me.  Especially if you believe as a Christian that one day there will be a government headed by an antichrist that has the ability to control all that is bought and sold.

And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Revelations 13:14-17

So this scripture says NO man.  Not just Europeans, not just Asians, the above would have to include Americans too.  So the idea that you should not have to be afraid of your government is simple naive to me if you hold to the belief in this scripture.  There is a day coming.  When those who live under this rule should be afraid.

So as an American if anything this scripture should make me just say they will have to take my gun before they put a mark like that on me.

But then I’m confronted with a simple scripture like this.

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Matthew 26:52

So Jesus tells this to Peter after Peter defends Jesus from being taken away to a bogus trial, to protect leaders positions, and government interests.

So how do we practice this scripture in our modern life?  We do not carry swords around today.  But let’s face it.  Swords were the guns of Jesus’s time.

So what we if changed this verse a bit and said “all they that take the gun shall perish with the gun.”  No how do you like it?

There is no indication that Peter was a violent man.  Although the Bible does not tell us Peters skills in swordsmanship perhaps this was his first time using a sword. In fact, wasn’t he justified?  Who can go wrong defending someone like Jesus?  Isn’t that what we need guns for to protect us from those who would seek to do us harm?  I mean here is a representative of the government coming to arrest Jesus, and at least one disciple picks up arms to defend their Lord.  I can relate to this.  But Jesus rebukes Peter, and undo’s the violence Peter had done.

Rebukes Peter, and then undoes the act of violence a disciple has committed in his name.  Think on that for a moment.

What does this say to us?  What meaning does it have for us as modern day Christians?  I find myself reminded of scriptures about not resisting evil.

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Mt 5:39  Then jesus talks about giving my stuff away…pssft..really?  Ugh sometimes I just don’t want to read some scriptures, they are like mini ‘inconvenient truths’..lol

Man I wish that verse was not in there because sometimes people need a good slap on the cheek.  Just saying.

Hey but it’s there so now I got to frigging figure out how to incorporate this in my life.

This following Christ thing can be hard.

So what about you?  Don’t talk to me about rights, and the constitution.  What would Jesus do?  Would he be endorsing your packing? Give me your thoughts.