Forty years ago, the wife and I were among 150 spirit-filled worshippers in a service when a "disturbed" young man entered and capped an ex-girlfriend who had recently given her heart to the Lord. An off-duty police officer jumped over two pews to wrestle the man to the floor and disarm him. We later learned that the perp had planned to shoot the pastor as well, but he had not yet entered the sanctuary. The woman died later at the hospital.
This horrific act was thought to be unthinkable until recent years, but Jesus told His disciples two millennia ago that the devil comes "to steal, to kill and to destroy." Forewarned should be forearmed.
I contemplated not carrying a gun because of my Christian belief until I read that Jesus, as He was being arrested the night before His crucifixion, told Peter to put his sword "in its place." He did not tell his disciple to get rid of his weapon for good. Self-defense is a God-given grace to us mortals to protect ourselves, the weak and the innocent. It has its place in our chaotic society more today than perhaps as it was then. We are living in perilous times when any atrocity is possible.
In our peaceful community, I carry pepper gel into church rather than my sidearm, but recently the pastor announced a meeting to discuss safety and first-aid situations. I'm sure he will be looking for a few good men.
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