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The Church And Gun Control – Part 4

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This entry is part 4 of 5 in the series The Church and Gun Control

(I realize this is a hot topic right now. I also realize that many readers of The Renewed Mind hold a variety of views. But unlike many posts and articles I’ve read recently, this is not an attempt at commentary or political positioning. I intend to put forward a Biblically-based approach. Sometimes, no matter what you intend, people receive what you write the wrong way. For this I apologize in advance for my failure to communicate clearly.)

(Rom 13:1)  “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

Is your position on gun control rooted in a desire for righteousness or rebellion? If we are going to hold a godly position on gun control, , we must understand the Biblical issue of submission to governmental authorities. There are many arguments over “rights” and Constitutional interpretation regarding the boundaries of how we pursue life, liberty and happiness.. But along with what we are allowed to pursue in this nation, as Christians we are called to live a life of obedience as long as it does not defy God Himself as presented by the Word of God.

The fine line we walk towards obedience is captured in  Act 5:29, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” Some use this verse to justify why they stand against injustice. But on the other hand, we have to evaluate whether we are being asked to do something against God or are we standing against something that contradicts our own opinion.  It takes some real soul-searching and honesty to determine whether our convictions are Scriptural or preferences.

No matter how you slice it, obedience is a heart issue – regardless of whether it is to parental authority, governmental authority or God’s authority.  It is unfortunate but necessary to protect those we care about against evil  in this fallen world. This is motivated by love. But when dislike for particular governmental officials, administrations, or even systems of laws becomes the overriding motivation for any position rather than being rooted in the attributes we obtain from God Himself (love, grace, mercy, peace, etc.), we walk a slippery slope towards living out of bitterness. So I ask again, do you hold a position on gun control because of a righteous desire or because of rebellion?

 

The Church and Gun Control – Part 3

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This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series The Church and Gun Control

(I realize this is a hot topic right now. I also realize that many readers of The Renewed Mind hold a variety of views. But unlike many posts and articles I’ve read recently, this is not an attempt at commentary or political positioning. I intend to put forward a Biblically-based approach. Sometimes, no matter what you intend, people receive what you write the wrong way. For this I apologize in advance for my failure to communicate clearly.)

(2 Timothy 1:7)  ”For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Just in the last week there have been events of enormous significance. The gun control argument is once again in the headlines as the U.S. Senate decided against a bill yesterday.  Most of us probably know about recent tragic bombing in Boston (and we pray for those victims and those responsible would be captured and brought to justice). Even in what we call “modern times”, we see plague, famine, war and incomprehensible crimes against humanity. There is a lot to be afraid of in the world. But what kind of mindset and lifestyle does God call us to live?

From Paul’s day all the way down to our own times those who speak the name of Christ have been persecuted under oppressive regimes. Paul’s letters to Timothy are addressed to a young pastor who suffers persecution. Yet there is encouragement to gain spiritual strength in the calling rather than be drained of the motive and motivation to preach. We can all take away the intent of this epistle and apply it to our own thinking. The focus is not on those who want to do harm but rather the focus is on ministry and calling. Giving in to a mindset of fear and focusing on those things that are meant to cause it drains the life and power out of what God intends for us to be in this life.

We should step back once in awhile and examine our own lifestyle to determine the motivations and basis on which we live. Is my lifestyle and focus in life around those things that cause me to be afraid? Is the message I communicate with others born out of fear? Are my words aligned with the gospel or are they aligned with a focus on the world? As we apply this mindset to the position of gun control, we should ask ourselves – Is my position on gun control based on fear or is it based on common sense and a desire for something positive?

Regardless of how you come down on the issue, the Bible gives us God’s position on the mindset and motivation for living in a violent world. The Church has always existed in this type of world. Ultimately, fear is an individual issue. You must determine whether fear or faith will determine your lifestyle and life decisions. As goes the individual…so goes the Church.

The Church and Gun Control – Part 2

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This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series The Church and Gun Control

(I realize this is a hot topic right now. I also realize that many readers of The Renewed Mind hold a variety of views. But unlike many posts and articles I’ve read recently, this is not an attempt at commentary or political positioning. I intend to put forward a Biblically-based approach. Sometimes, no matter what you intend, people receive what you write the wrong way. For this I apologize in advance for my failure to communicate clearly.)

(Colossians 3:10)  ”And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

One of the biggest problems with Christianity in the U.S. today is we qualify the spiritual maturity of other Christians, or those who claim to be, in the light of a political debate. We’ve allowed party membership or political inclinations to determine our view of someone’s spiritual condition. We need to step outside of the political boundaries of the issue. In the discussion over gun control, we need to set our minds in alignment with the mindset of Christ, not a platform. Regardless of how we come down on the topic, we need to allow “the new man” to do the thinking.

In the quiet honesty within our individual minds, we need to ask ourselves the question “Is my opinion on this subject driven by the thoughts and motives of Christ?” When we allow the political agendas of others to create an emotional response in our heart, our faith is blinded. The purity of our response to the Word of God operating in our soul is obscured by the opinions of others. So many who demand honesty in the Scriptures when it comes to doctrine, and would never tolerate the dogmas and doings of large religious organizations, submit themselves to the dogmas and doings of political or quasi-political organizations. Instead, we are called to wear the thoughts and actions of the “new man.” The source of our thought life is not to be in this world but rather in Him who is the source of new life through Christ.

Anger, rebellion, hatred, lust for power and fear are never emotions that come from God. Regardless of how we come down on the issue of gun control, our opinion must be sourced in the thoughts of the “new man” not the “old man.” This takes real honesty and a willingness to submit to God rather than man. It also takes a willingness to step outside of the kingdom of men and live within the boundaries of the Kingdom of God.

 Next – The Church and Gun Control – Part 3