It’s late! When the worst of conflicts arise, a war often ensues. If two battalions each, survive a night of continual shelling of each other’s defensive shields, the only thing necessary is for one to come out with a small but very significant edge of low collateral damage to fundamentally turn the tide in their favor.
It appears clouds have gathered to blur that edge of the appropriate use of lethal force. For a look at the big-picture, it seems the word expresses the world’s purposes to use lethal force upon any which falls between two opposing inward identities:
- Those “who obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.” (Romans 2:8)
- Them “who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” (Romans 13:4)
To consider this a leap of good and evil force shouldn’t have to cloud the ability to augment His same full implementation of justice as has been stated. Its hard to say how many stands opposed to the abolition of Capitol Punishment. One of the most prominent reasons for this is because the haste to conclude is because they think it isn’t really established in the word one way or the other. I disagree.
"And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. “For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”
(Luke 22:35-38)
So, what is this that would present itself as so substantial? There is a lot of speculation in the wind over this passage; the question over to be “
numbered”, resulting in a “
fulfillment” by telling His disciples (who are also among those “
numbered”) to assume sword-ownership (v-36)?
Take another look, straightway, the Lord makes clear there is a link to know and not to alter,
“But now, , buy one. “For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me” (v-36, 37)
So, what is the fulfillment of this along with “two swords” being “enough”? If there is fulfillment to be had, it must not dither. I am confident the two swords represent two camps of the flock’s authority; one to maintain civil tranquility, another to defend oneself and his own from any form of deranged instability.
Among those he would die for being one sword; the ones who would “
bear the sword” by containing all incidental disorder which would be exerted equivalent to any evil disturbance.
Look at that disturbance the night of Jesus's arrest and His response to Peter's aggression in these two passages:
"Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”
(John 18:11)
“Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. “Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
(Matthew 26:52, 53)
I welcome any to tell me here where our Lord said to Peter “you also” will at once put at your disposal more than so many angels? Yes, He has already given them
“authority, ,over all the power of the enemy” several chapters prior but here although He placed this appeal to the Father strictly in His own hands, told of the swords end, but again told of the Godly remedy - His.
Peter was observant and willing to act which he obviously remembered,
“There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.”
(John 15:13)
Many conclude, it isn’t our call to think we are doing God a service by killing others, anytime basing it on this classic passage,
"My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."
(John 18:36)
Then what are those two swords in Luke 22 which were supplied but for God's people? Are the use of those swords not buffeted to those I just described,
“, , one [sword] to maintain civil tranquility,
another to defend oneself and his own
from any form of deranged instability.”
Here is where we need that Spirit of unity to act where appropriate,
“for we wrestle not against flesh and blood” nor
“fight” as seen above, yet there isn’t full submission either,
You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.
(1 Corinthians 4:8)
Saying, we may or we may not yet have begun beyond fundamental Church related protocol. The inner "
sword of the spirit" and those bearing the
“sword” as I see it, work together.
So, if a Christian takes up the sword of “
terror” knowing he may have to lay down his life also, then why isn’t this His will if that servant so chooses? As identifying ungodly aggression as “
Unrighteous” walking in the “
deeds of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19). If there ever was a place to condemn authority’s use of force, even to the death of the evildoer, and the offender stayed resistant to that end, it would have been prescribed in Galatians 5:21 saying a soldier who might commit “
murder” for instance. But I realize that is only a questionable remark. Added to the aforementioned, and even if they were the only things left on the table, would not leave the question in strong ambiguity. But there are also these. Here are a few:
1. “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:18)
2 “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.” (I Cor 10:32, 33)
3. “Live as free people, , “ I Peter 2:16)
4. “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.” (I Cor 7:23)
He has showed you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you,
but to do justly, and to love mercy, and
to walk humbly with your God?
(Micah 6:8)
Surely, you can tell I say all this so we know what the Lord's will is in when and where to using lethal force. Bottom line, the overwhelming degree shown in scripture tells us when the ball is in our court, many times over, we are to exert mercy for the few and for the many.
If any further comments arrive from here on out, I no longer expect a academic nor seasoned response to counter the scale which have long-since tipped out of sight.