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The Church can not be separated from the State

A Thoughtful Response To “Blood And Guns”

Editor’s Note: FHG receives lots of good comments. I usually receive more when I write about hot topics, such as pro life or gun control. One of my readers sent me this thoughtful comment, so I thought I’d share it with you. If you have comments, pro or con (I publish both) I’d like to hear from you. Politicians have already jumped on the “let’s have more gun control laws” bandwagon. It will be interesting to see which direction this skirmish takes.

I appreciate your writing and I certainly understand your point. All humanity is sinful and depraved and in need of the Savior. It’s only when we are regenerated, in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit, and receive Christ as Savior and Lord by God’s gift of faith, that we will be saved and changed from the inside-out. Indeed, we will be “new creatures” in Christ, and it’s then that our behaviors will change as we die to sin. And yet, one function of the government, which God ordains, is to protect its citizens. It’s why we have a number of laws–like speeding laws, some laws that protect freedom of speech (like yelling fire in a crowded theater), some laws controlling the consumption of alcohol (when driving).

These are just some. I’m an alcoholic, so I know the only real reason I stopped drinking thirty years ago was through the power of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to Him. I know God didn’t want me personally to drink. But the law kept me from drinking while driving and likely saved my life and someone else’s. I didn’t want a “run-in with the law,” and the law restrained me. Until people come to Christ and change, the laws can help keep us in line.

Even if one gun law can save one life, I believe it’s worth it. And I find the Second Amendment so interesting. It reads thus: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” (1791) We have no ultimate way of knowing exactly what the framers meant or how they might have written this if they knew about the profusion of weapons in which America is drowning now–or the kinds of weapons, like assault weapons, which are relatively easily procured and through which these mass murders are often executed. But what I find so interesting is the use of the words “well-regulated Militia.”

Could it have been at the time of our country’s establishment, without the ready access of police protection, that bands of citizens needed to defend themselves, organizing into militias? Could it be that they were not speaking of every, single person being armed in every, single situation with any kind of weapon he chose to bear? I don’t know. I’m just asking. I just know that God hates murder, and it’s horrible to have to live in fear.

You are so right. This is a heart issue, and how I appreciate your drawing our attention to the Savior, our only hope. That is such a worthy undertaking. But what do we do in the meantime? The issue is complex and guns are rampant in our country (and countries with stricter gun laws don’t seem to have this problem. Is it that America is just more wicked than they, or are the laws helping prevent these crimes). I’m not sure, but it’s worth considering.

I will admit I am not sure exactly what to do. But I do believe it’s better to try than to do nothing, because it may be some time before our nation ever turns to God again. Thank you for the opportunity to respond. I appreciated reading your view and the thought which you have obviously given this.

Time To Get It Right

If You Can Not Afford An Attorney . . .

Grace, God and Gun Control–Next Week On For His Glory