We are children of Abraham.
Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 50 Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
And what was one thing Abraham did, that is also written in the NT?
Gen 14:12 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. 13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. 14 [b]And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. 15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, AND SMOTE THEM, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.[/b] 16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. 17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale. 18 [b]And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.[/b] And he gave him tithes of all.
And mentioned in the NT.
Heb 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Why did God bless Abraham here? Because Abraham finally had enough faith to trust God and defend his family. It's called LOYALTY and COURAGE.
Why didn't Abraham "just pray"? Because God does not DO IT, ....YOU DO IT, through the strength and power of God.
Jesus is very much into "self defence" when it is lawful and available.
luke 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, [b]But now,[/b] he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: [b]and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.[/b]
It's interesting that I just watched a documentary on the Sword last night. It is a weapon of agression and self defence. The equivalent today would be a "gun".
Abraham and his trained servants went out with swords.
Jesus would have no problem if you defended your wife and family or yourself, against a criminal nutcase breaking into your home or any other place.
Jesus does not desire "martyrs", he desires "LIVING' sacrifices. You can't do much for God dead. If God would have ever delivered anyone in such a situation it would have been Lot, and God would not have sent Abraham to do what he did. This act showed that Abraham had LOYALTY, and courage. Something SORELY LACKING in many Chritians today, who will sell out their brothers and sisters at the drop of a hat.
Matt 24:9 Then shall they (professed Christians) deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many (Christians) be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound (in the heart of many "Christians"), the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he (that Christian) that shall endure unto the end (not doing what is listed above), the same shall be saved.
Not defend your wife and children, drop to your knees and pray? After the guy get's done with them, your next!
Now to forgive someone for doing something like this, if you could not prevent it. Or to forgive youself, that is Christian. But to sit by and do nothing IF you could do something, you might as well have murdred them yourself. And I believe anyone with that mentality, God would considder you a murderer as well.
1 Tim 5:[b]But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.[/b]
If God considderes you a worse than a heathen just for not providing for your own family, how much more for not protecting them when you could. After all you don't just sit around and pray that God will put bread on the table. You have to get out and WORK (oh sorry I know that's a four letter word to some of you.)
And what about this?
Psl 82 1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. 2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 3[b] Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.[/b] 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. John 10:34 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
It is a mamby pamby spoiled and unrealistic society we live in that produces weak ineffectual effeminate men, who would sit there and just watch their wife and children be abused, murdered and raped. This is what is known as being "without natural affection".
"Without natural affection", is not gay, persay, but [b]not having even the natural definsive instincts that any animal has for it's young.[/b] It's actually worse than being homosexual, because even homosexuals will defind and die for their children and one another. So far gone, so far away from the truth, that even the most basic natural instinct that even a lowly dumb animal has is MISSING.
You're supposed to love your wife as yourself. I guarentee that if some guy attacts you and wanted to rape you, you might put up a little fight. I doubt if you would just lay there passivly and "pray".
Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. The whole problem with getting in there and getting "involved" is that you might get "hurt" and also die in the process.
That we trust in God, that we pray and that God protects and guides us is and should be a surity. But to actually "fight" if you have to is also at times, of God.
That you should build an arsenal, I do not advocate. Not necessarily even going out and buying a gun. But to FIGHT in a given situation is perfectly biblical and of faith also.
(Had to edit this a million times) Because I want to be clear, that if the situation warrents it, and IF you have the power, it is your responcibility to trust God and DO SOMETHING. If you are truly walking by the spirit of God, you will have the power and the means, God will make a way to escape. And no I do not advocate killing someone if you do not have to.
El Harris
2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 2 John 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
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