Now we break into the New testament. I could write a book, and others have, on the warrior we know as Jesus Christ, our savior. I get so stinking sick and tired, fed-up, annoyed (you get the point), of Jesus being portrayed as some effeminate sissy.
Let me tell you something, he was a carpenter by trade, and 30 when he started his ministry, at his physical peak. As a woodworker, I enjoy using traditional tools. However, there is a great deal of effort involved with this process. He would have had to go cut down the trees, mill them into lumber, clean them up for usable surface, and construct them all without electricity. Let me tell you what, until you have done this, you have no idea the strength needed. Jesus, was a beast!
There are numerous times through the Gospels we see him as a warrior, my personal favorite is, you guessed it, John 2:15: “And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.” Jesus sat out side the temple, making a whip, to go in and drive out those who defiled His house. A whip, a tool, a weapon!
But Adam! What about Matthew 5:39? “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” This is an excerpt from the sermon on the mount. He is talking to the general populous here. The topical context of this verse is revenge. I refer you back to Part 1 for revenge. Suffice it to say, I know no Christian sheepdog that uses revenge as a motivator.
Ok, fine Adam. But what about John 18:10 & 11? Jesus rebuked Peter for striking out, Ha!
Sacred Bovine! Was Peter carrying concealed!? What? Why yes he was. Jesus told him to put it up, and that those who live by the sword, die by the sword. It is an inevitability, not a threat. He did not, however, say get rid of that thing, you should not have it. On the contrary, he tells his disciples to sell their cloak (outer-layer) and buy a sword (Luke 22:36)! He rebuked Peter because this is why He came to earth. Peter should not stand in the way of His primary mission.
Matthew 10:36: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Context here is about becoming primary in all lives. He basically is saying that he is going to start battles by requiring He be first in everyone’s lives. Regardless, He said he did not come with the intent of peace, but war! You know what? Just read all of Matthew 10, it’s worth the 3 minutes to do it.
Revelation 19. I will not quote particulars here, as it is really worthy of reading the entire passage. In part it says that when Jesus returns, he will be wearing a blood stained robe… This passage does not paint a pleasant picture. It is quite violent and graphic (Yet another reason I loathe pictures of Jesus as womanized Anglo-saxon…). The context of the passage is the second coming of Christ, and a battle ensues.
You see, all throughout Scripture we see this reoccurring image and scenario of battles being waged by warriors. Granted, war and self defense are different, but, allow me to marry the two ideas as briefly as I can.
War has been a tradition, a way of life among man for millennia. Only recently have we become “too sophisticated and civilized for such a thing” (baloney!) That lie does have a hint of truth. The evil of this world is no longer a specific people group or in a specific geographical location. Additionally, we are no longer required to purge the land of such a thing. God will take care of this in his own time.
War has transitioned to a more 1 on 1 kind of thing. The evil in this world now mixes with the Lord’s people. This has presented a unique dichotomy withing history. Rape, assault, murder, etc takes place all over the world, indiscriminate to God’s people. So, how can we combat this pervasive evil? Carry a gun. Read other articles here and you will see, guns are just a tool. The sword of Jesus’ is the Handgun of our day. Tools change, hearts of man do not.
Do not take my word for any of this. You need to come to your own conclusions here. You are welcome to share mine of course, but, I strongly suggest that you Christians do your own homework here. I assure you, we are barely scratching the surface on warriorship in the bible. Take some time, do some reading. It truly is a fascinating subject for the sheepdog.
I love my family and those around me far too much to not prepare myself to end a threat to their well being. John 15:13: ” Greater love has no man than this. That he should lay down his life for his friends.” I take that very seriously. I am insulted that a sheep should say to a sheepdog that his motives are anything less than pure and in love! Do not discount my calling. Yes, I said calling. Just as you may be called to be a teacher of the Word, I am called to be a warrior.
I carry a gun professionally, I train others to carry a gun for protection through Strategic Defense, I have honed my mind for this type of work over a very long time. I assure you, I do this for love of my neighbor, you cannot possibly understand why I do what I do, without understanding a warrior. Unless you are part of this brotherhood you cannot, nor do I expect you to, understand the love we have for those around us…
I pray that I was able to offer some insight into the mind of a warrior. If you have questions, or would like to discuss this further, please comment below. Please share this with all the sheep and sheepdogs you know. It is important that everyone knows what we sheepdogs are about, particularly the wolf.
Stay Sharp,
Adam