Winston Salem church of Christ

Gun sales are up. I own two shotguns.  The Supreme Court upheld the 2^nd Amendment as a constitutional right for personal protection.  The 8^th Amendment supports capital punishment so says the Land’s

.  Biblically I support those rights.  But can our “rights” become “wrongs?”

When legally pursuing the death penalty, the real question goes beyond, “What does he deserve?”  We should also ask ourselves “What becomes of us?”   “Can we protect ourselves against hate?”  When attacked and we respond with force, the real question goes beyond “What do we do?” to “What do we become?”  “Do we respond out of hate?” 

There is no doubt we are changed by hate, whether positively or negatively.  Our love grows deeper or hate grows hotter.  The pious warn not to hate the sinner but to hate the sin.  Let us also warn not to become hate itself.  That is a real danger.

The chief priests and elders, filled with hate, sent a large crowd with swords and clubs (Matthew 26:47).  Peter reacts and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear (Matthew 26:51).  Jesus reacts to Peter’s reaction by saying, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). 

Do you ever wonder if “perishing by the sword” goes beyond mere physical death?  Didn’t even the righteous apostle James die by the sword (Acts 12:2)?  Do you wonder if Jesus’ words went deeper?  Does perishing by the sword pierce into the hate that pervades the souls who take up violence? If forced to protect my family from other’s violence, I will.  Didn’t Jesus Himself claim the right to self-protection with twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53)? But using the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) I also must protect myself from sin.  I do not want to become wrong because of my right.  I do not want to become hate.