Saturday Song: Yellow, "She's Got a Gun"

Much has been published about gun control over the years. Proponents say that crimes involving guns would seas if only the police had them. Others say it's the gangs and criminals who misuse guns who are the problem.

A Swiss band called Yellow recorded a song back in 1981 about a man who's attracted by a woman and follows her. But as the title says, she's got a gun. Here's the link to the song.

Nowhere in the New Testament does it say we're to go on the offensive, taking vengeance in Christ's name. Even so, he did advise in Luke 22:36 (BBE) that his disciples can use weapons in self defence. "And he said to them, 'But now, he who has a money-bag, or a bag for food, let him take it: and he who has not, let him give his coat for money and get a sword.'"

Swords are used for two purposes, offence and defence. The Philistines removed all the swords during the reign of King Saul for the reason of sword control. As 1 Samuel 13:19-21 (BBE) explains, the Philistines had a monopoly on sharpening iron tools. "Now there was no iron-worker in all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, 'For fear the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears:' But all the Israelites had to go to the Philistines to get their ploughs and blades and axes and hooks made sharp; For they had instruments for putting an edge on their ploughs and blades and forks and axes, and for putting iron points on their ox-driving rods."

Now some folks will point out Romans 13:1-7 which proscribes the use of the sword. But the Apostle Paul was making the point that we mustn't take vengeance because that belongs to the Lord. It doesn't mean that we can't defend ourselves and our loved ones if attacked by criminals.

And as for the swords which King Saul and prince Jonathan had, those two weapons helped gain a victory over the Philistine garrison. As 1 Samuel 14:13 and 14 (BBE) tells us, Jonathan and his Armour berror defeated Israel's enemies with the help of God. "And Jonathan went up, gripping with his hands and his feet, his servant going up after him; and the Philistines gave way before Jonathan when he made an attack on them, and his servant put them to death after him. And at their first attack, Jonathan and his servant put to the sword about twenty men, all inside the space of half an acre of land."

Of course this doesn't mean we should kill for the Lord. Remember how Jesus rebuked Peter in Matthew 26:52 (BBE) for cutting off the high priest's ear? "Then says Jesus to him, Put up your sword again into its place: for all those who take the sword will come to death by the sword."

So we know that vengeance is the Lord's but he does allow us to defend ourselves in extreme cases. Otherwise he wouldn't have told his disciples to sell a garment to buy a sword.

On Monday, provided Christ hasn't returned, I hope to post about the 1969 moon landing and the common cold.

Saturday Song: Edwin Star, "War"

Certain people believe that there is no acceptable reason for waging war. I agree that war for conquest's sake is an evil that humanity has suffered from since the beginning. In an attempt to answer Edwin Star's histrionic question regarding what war is good for, we need to examine what the Bible says. According to the Apostle Paul, among others, it's for God's appointed governments to administer justice.

Listen to the song here:

Let's look at what Paul wrote in Romans chapter thirteen. From The Bible in Basic English, verse one says, "Let everyone put himself under the authority of the higher powers, because there is no power which is not of God, and all powers are ordered by God."

This verse, and the next one, shows us that governmental authority has been given by God. There job, as verses three and four explain, is to reward good and punish evil. Part of that good is the protection of the people from foreign as well as domestic enemies.

As Christians, we are commanded to love God and our neighbour as ourselves. Vengeance is the Lord's and he will repay. Part of this repayment comes through the military and the justice system. Furthermore, God is the one who places kings on thrones and takes them out. We who live in democratic countries have the privilege of voting but it's the Lord who decides the fate of nations.

The Bible has many examples of when God commanded kings and leaders to wage war. Though Christ is the Prince of Peace, he will come in flaming fire and take vengeance on this rebellious world. As Solomon  wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:8 (BBE), There's "A time for love and a time for hate; a time for war and a time for peace."

War is a horrible thing but there are times when it must be fought. We only realize that fact after it ends.

Monday's post will be about who the folks mentioned in Matthew 7:21-23 were.

Who Gives Us Rights?

I wrote last time regarding our total commitment to Christ. Even though most of us aren't called to be missionaries or pastors, everything we have and are belongs to our Lord. He's the boss and we're just managers of what he's given us.

So, where do our rights come from? There are only two sources of rights, namely from God or the governments he puts in place. We humans foolishly think we have self-appointed rights but that isn't so.

The Apostle Paul wrote about the role of government in Romans 13:1-7 (BBE). He said, "Let everyone put himself under the authority of the higher powers, because there is no power which is not of God, and all powers are ordered by God. For which reason everyone who puts himself against the authority puts himself against the order of God: and those who are against it will get punishment for themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear to the good work but to the evil. If you would have no fear of the authority, do good and you will have praise; For he is the servant of God to you for good. But if you do evil, have fear; for the sword is not in his hand for nothing: he is God's servant, making God's punishment come on the evil-doer. So put yourselves under the authority, not for fear of wrath, but because you have the knowledge of what is right. For the same reason, make payment of taxes; because the authority is God's servant, to take care of such things at all times. Give to all what is their right: taxes to him whose they are, payment to him whose right it is, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour is to be given."

This shows clearly who is really in charge. Politicians tend to act as if they have nobody to whom they must give an account of their actions. In democracies, the people have a hand in choosing their government leaders. Even so, as I've found out the hard way by working with the Wildrose Party, getting rid of a corrupt government isn't as easy as it sounds.

As we read all through the Bible, God is the one ultimately in charge. A day will come when every single person will give an account to God Almighty regarding what they did in this life. My hope and prayer is that, if you haven't done so yet, you'll acknowledge God's sovereign rule over your life and yield your will to Christ.

I intend to thoroughly cover this subject in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? God willing, it should be in print at the end of next year.