You’ve seen it on the local news, in news papers and in the internet, “Secret Christian Militia Arrested!”
The premiss defies logic...
If, indeed, it was Jesus’ will and purpose to form private militias, then He must be considered a failure. He recruited only twelve and one of those betrayed Him. Poor choice.
If, indeed, Jesus gave credibility to the raising of arms against those who would oppose His Gospel, why is Peter rebuked for having done so at the moment of Jesus’ arrest?
“Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Therefore, Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put the sword [back] into the sheath! The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?’” - John 18:9-10
Luke, being a physician, takes the event a bit further and records not only did Peter cut off Malchus’ ear, but Jesus, in love and only as He could do, healed Malchus on the spot! (Luke 22:51)
No; no the lost, misguided, self-absorbed individuals who would adopt for themselves the banner of “Christian” while taking up arms rather than Bibles are anathema to the cause of Christ! Furthermore, it angers me with a righteous anger that such would make headlines and become, by their very claim to be “Christians”, thought to be typical of true Christians.
So that there is no misunderstanding, please allow me to refer to the Biblical description of a Christian:
”Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise - sensible, intelligent people; making the very most of the time - buying up each opportunity - because the days are evil.” - Ephesians 5:15-16
And the weapons of the true Christian?
“Stand therefore - hold your ground - having tightened the belt of TRUTH around your loins, and having put on the breastplate of INTEGRITY AND MORAL RECTITUDE AND RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD; having shod your feet in preparation to face the enemy with firm-footed STABILITY, the promptness and readiness produced by the good news of the GOSPEL OF PEACE. Lift up over all the covering shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword the Spirit wields, which is THE WORD OF GOD.” - Ephesians 6:14-17
The true Christian does not hide in the shadows and plot evil. The true Christian stands exposed as simply a sinner saved by the grace of God, ready to serve his fellow men and women, of all faiths, of all persuasions, of all opinions, so that by so doing, some might come to know Jesus and His love, and the true meaning of His great sacrifice on a lonely hill from a lonely cross.
May His love touch each of you. May the truth of His sacrifice on Calvary touch the very depths of your heart, and may Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection bring a newness of life to your soul this Easter!
God bless!
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Thank-you so much for this message.
ReplyDeleteI cringe and fume when I hear about some of the outrageous public behavior of some so-called Christians.
It is so patently obvious that Jesus' message was of love, forgiveness and grace. His message was not of judgment and persecution, especially not the kind of judgment doled out by "Christian Militias" and other extreme "Christian" groups.
You have addressed the subject beautifully.
Thank-you.