guns in church

So, I live in a state still seeking to write laws that allow guns in church, bars, schools, malls and other public places... encouraging people to carry weapons in those places... we are devolving as a society, thanks to the purveyors of chosen and glorified ignorance, bravado and aggressiveness.  There is a reason that we left the days of DODGE CITY, where everyone carried a gun, and adopted a system of laws to protect us.  Too many people, even innocent people, were being shot down.  Some want to go back to those days, because they are either greedy for the profits of gun and ammunition sales (and funerals), or because they are hate-mongers or are irrationally fearful.  I want none of those folks carrying a weapon.  It makes ALL of us less safe.

Criminal investigators still consider the same old formula - MEANS, MOTIVE and OPPORTUNITY.  Putting the MEANS in someone's hands on the street gives them the OPPORTUNITY, so that often people are just itchin' for the MOTIVE, and will turn any conflict into that, BECAUSE they have the MEANS at hand... defensive posturing becomes offensive, ultimately, and creates such conflicts.

I heard on the radio that a church or church body in a town in Kentucky is having an evangelism event at which they are giving away to each participant either a long rifle, shotgun or handgun.
These are the folks who claim Jesus as Savior... claim Jesus' name... worship Jesus... you know, the Jesus who, even when he was being protected by a follower who cut off a potential attacker's ear, rebuked the follower for doing so and  said, "... all who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matthew 26:51-52)  Jesus, fulfiller of the Law and Prophets, who taught at the beginning of His public ministry, "You have heard it said, 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth'.  But I SAY to you, do not resist an evildoer.  But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also..." (Matthew 5:38-42).  Yes, Jesus did tell His disciples to get one (Luke 22:35-38), and that later two swords were enough, and THEN rebuked the lynch mob for carrying swords to arrest Him (22:47-53).  And Paul, in obedience to Jesus' teachings, picked up on the Kingdom Value regarding retaliation and violence, and urged followers of Jesus in Rome not to repay evil for evil (Romans 12:14-21), or be overcome by evil, but overcome it with good.

Jesus did NOT urge the carrying of bows, catapults or spears, (offensive weapons of war in His time) but defensive weapons to protect one's person, that can only be used within arm's length.  Bullets travel a great distance, even when there is no IMMANENT threat, as we have seen now time and time again in Florida, and there is much less control on what they strike.  We do not allow people to carry bazookas or hand grenades, but we allow the sale of weapons that can kill a person a second, and with an extended magazine, up to 30 or more of them without re-loading.  Out of fear or hatred, many people are flocking to the gun shows, pawn shops and other outlets of death, often with LITTLE if ANY background check required.  The irrationally fearful and hateful then make it very tempting for those who are neither to feel like we must also buy weapons with which to protect ourselves from THEM.

Aggressive and offensive threats and attacks are not Kingdom Values.
Vengeance and retaliation out of hatred are NOT Kingdom Values.
Irrational fear is not a Kingdom Value.

Repaying evil for evil, makes us "evildoers", even if done in response to evil, according to the Kingdom Values of Jesus. 

I urge you to RECONSIDER what is in your heart that would motivate you to get a gun.  The alarm system on your home, your large dog, attentive neighbors and a ball bat or knife (yes, even a large one), are MOST OFTEN adequate deterrents in your home.  Wisdom, witnesses and awareness with common sense are MOST OFTEN adequate safety measures on the street.

I refuse to live in fear, refuse to hate anyone and refuse to buy a firearm.  That does not make me more brave, un-American, a coward or a vulnerable target.  I do it BECAUSE I follow Jesus and Jesus' Way for my being in THIS PART of God's Kingdom.

Pastor Jamie