Violence should always be the last resort. God calls us to pray for our enemies and return love for evil except in the case of defending human life.
God says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matt 5: 43-45
In cases where innocent human life is at immediate risk, deadly force is sometimes required to save people. In an ideal world, where everyone follows God’s laws on love and forgiveness, there would be no need for weapons. There would be peace.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where individuals use religion to condone murdering those who do not agree with them. Governments pass laws that allow the killing of specific classes of human beings like babies in the womb, Christians, Jews and old sick people.
Any race or group of individuals is at risk whenever the Commandment, “Thou shalt not murder!” is violated or watered down. Now anyone who does not agree with the Muslim jihad is on the “to be murdered list.”
We are now in a war of ideologies. It is a religious war. Jihadists are willing to die for what they believe.
Are we willing to defend our lives and those of our loved ones, even though it is politically incorrect to identify our real enemies?
Jesus also said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15: 12-13
For many, it is an act of love and duty to be willing to sacrifice your life to save others. Everyone has different skills, capabilities, mind sets, religious beliefs and training.
Warriors run toward the sound of the battle. Our military, police and first responders are Heroes many of us admire, respect support and emulate.
Heroic individuals often see a threat. They are willing to risk their lives to stop it to save lives. A good example is the American Heroes who stopped the terrorist with the AK-47 on the train in Paris Alek Skarlatos, a member of the National Guard, Spencer Stone, a member of the Air Force and Anthony Sadler.
Who knows how many innocent lives they saved that day. They stopped the carnage before it started.
In many of the mass killings usually there are a few men and women who save the lives of many by sacrificing theirs to protect the innocent. These people are Heroes. We need more just like these.
When violence occurs, the big question is, “Are you willing to sacrifice your life for others?”
I don’t know about you but I would prefer not to have to engage Jihadist killers with only a knife, my fists or a tactical pen, especially alone. With a few fellow Warriors and the correct weapons, we may lose our lives but save a lot of innocent people.