President Obama's appointed financial committee (chaired by a Democrat) stated recently that the present and continuing debt of this country has a very predictable outcome. He stated that our country will be broke. Some say it already is broke, but we just keep printing out "hot checks" and "hot cash."
I know that God is in control and that He will be with his people. But God's people have gone through tough times throughout history. I request opinions whether you believe that we are actually heading toward economic meltdown and a drastic change in our current manner of living.
Is it silly to prepare for such a time? Not prepare as if you are in panic mode (such as just prior to Y2K), but become as self-sufficient as possible, with water and food sources readily available, and with "protection" just in case the millions who live off the government no longer receive their checks and start looking elsewhere?
Some may be hesitant to comment on this for fear of being seen as "on the fringe" or not having enough faith in God. I'm not asking you to become Nostradamus. But do you ever consider how you would take care of your family if times get tough?
For some reason, this has been on my heart quite a bit.
Well, I don't know about all the preparation. I do want to say this, however. The Bible never condones harming someone else for self-preservation. NEVER! The Bible examples we see include men dying, because they would not retaliate. What if Jesus had retaliated? What if the apostles had shown self-defense? The fact is, Jesus told us to forgive 70 X 7. That means let the person go free of their offense. If that offense is holding a gun toward you, then you can't possibly consider shooting them to be letting them go free.
ReplyDeleteAlso, please note the proper context of these often misused verses.
"Matthew 10:16-17
(16) Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
(17) But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;"
See how Jesus is referring to Christian's being harmed (scourged) and persecuted for Christ's sake? Notice He said that He was sending us out as sheep amongst wolves who were going to try to physically harm us. He told us to therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Removed from its context, we can make the verse mean many things. In its context, however, it means we can be as wise as a serpent in escaping danger, but unlike a snake, we cannot harm someone to do so. A snake can avoid dangers very well. They can blend in, they can hide, and they can speed away. When cornered, however, a snake strikes. We are to be different in a snake in that we are to be harmless as a dove.
We've grown up in an American culture which teaches us self-defense is good and moral. The Bible teaches otherwise. I'm sure because this has been taught so often and so much that nobody will listen to what I'm saying, but that's OK.
I'm sure some will be angered by this truth and say things like, "What about Israel killing the Caananites, and David killing Goliath?" Well, these were wars of course. They were also God ordained. So until God changes His word to tell us to go harm others to protect ourselves, I won't be listening to such objections. Also, remember we don't live under OT laws which give physical death for a picture of Hell. Instead, we live in the NT time of grace where we read of Hell and no longer stone children for back-talking or kill idol worshiping nations.
Bro. James,
ReplyDeleteIf you are talking about suffering for the name of Christ, or not retaliating when someone wrongs you, I will agree. But if someone breaks into your home at night Bro. James, what are you going to do?
If you believe that self-defense is immoral, what do you believe about the American Revolution? Were Americans wrong to rebel against the tyranny of England at the time?
I see your point, but I don't think that you have an exclusive stake on the truth here and that all of "American culture" is wrong.
Your sentiments seem to reflect that of Mennonite or Quaker culture.
I am curious as well concerning the self defense issue...if someone broke into your home and was about to kill your child or your wife I would certainly defend my home.
ReplyDeletePeter carried a sword with him on the way to Gethsemane and Jesus told him one sword was enough. Was this sword just for the purpose of killing the morning meal?
I have heard this said..."If I find someone harming my wife or child they had better give their heart to Jesus becasue thier butt is mine."
I will defend my family to the death if necessary and any MAN I think would.
The post was intended to picture an extreme situation. It may be a stretch, but the Bible seems to allow for the fact that some people cannot be lived with peacably (is that a word?). "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peacably with all men."
ReplyDeleteIndeed, but just because violence is involved does not mean you need to be the one causing it or inflicting it (retaliation). As to my comment, I want to clarify.
ReplyDeleteSelf-defense is not the same as family-defense.
Nor is country-defense the same as self-defense.
You see, this context involving political factions should not be something upon which we are focused. If you are not referring to suffering for being a Christian, then to what are you referring? Are you referring to suffering because you stand up and protest? Are you suffering because you stand up as a Republican? Are you suffering because you want to change the country in which you live?
Whether or not the American Revolution was right, I cannot say. I can say that God's people have lived in worse countries than that in which we find ourselves (such as Babylon, Assyria, Greece, and Rome), and never revolted. I don't see the Christian life being about such political things. I just could not see Paul leading the disciples and churches to bring down the Roman government in exchange for a better government or even "Christian government". This is the idea that permeated the Roman Catholic "church", thus giving it the first name it has.
If we are more focused on soul winning than politics and country affairs, maybe we would be persecuted severely long before the country changes to attack certain political factions. Who knows? Maybe if we all witnessed as often as we should and spoke of Christ and His way as often as we should, perhaps all the political parties would turn against us.
Anyway, I don't have an answer for ya. I suppose we should prepare food and waters and such for any disaster (persecution or not). I do not, however, think arming ourselves with weapons of war a wise idea. Peter brought the one sword, but Jesus did reprimand him after using it.
Concerning family defense and country defense, I don't have all the answers. I don't believe an act of self-sacrifice for a family would be wrong. I don't know if sacrificing ones' self for a corrupt country would be wrong or not. Unfortunately, all the examples we have in the Bible are Israel, God's chosen nation. We cannot assuredly say God has chosen our nation, or established a covenant with it other than the covenants that apply to all peoples.
Thanks for clarifying. As far as the American Revolution, I believe without reservation that it was right. Tyranny should be opposed and Christians have been volunteering in service to our country for centuries now.
ReplyDeleteI do honor the freedom of Quakers and other Christian groups who say they oppose any violence and refuse to serve in the military. But I can't help but think that they sure are fortunate to have someone else defend their freedoms for them so that they can have those views. In Israel, every adult (male and female) has compulsory military service. Three years for males and two years for females and if one is not equipped or opposes actual combat, they are assigned "national service" jobs. (community service)
Back to the economy, I hope it improves, but the forecasts are pretty ominous. What a blessing to have the Lord as our Helper and One who will never leave or forsake.
Just as another clarifying comment:
ReplyDeleteI appreciate very much the men and women who fight to defend freedom. I am thankful they do. The question I have (and only a question, not a decision) is whether or not it would be right to enlist to defend a corrupted government. After all, our government may very soon oppose freedom of worship. So if that be the case, is it still good and right? I don't know. Just a question.