Lethal Self-defense?

I have been in a discussion with some serious Christians, who think it is proper for them to use lethal means to defend themselves against those who seek to do them harm. Logically that would require them to take the same action when your country goes to war (or at least a supposedly “just war”). One of the chief passages that they use to authorize that conclusion is Luke 22:36, where Jesus tells them to “buy swords.”

Following is the summary I sent to them about our discussion.
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In our earlier Bible study, we had already studied the passage mentioned in Luke 22, and discussed it in some detail. As I argued back then, the only proper conclusion to draw from the text about “buying swords” and yet being content with only two swords was that His instruction had nothing to do with USING those swords, but was only about fulfilling the prophecy:

Luke 22:35 ‘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.” 38 They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”’

The fact that only two “swords” would be “enough” is clear evidence that they were NOT to be used, but only to fulfill the prophesy of Isaiah 53:12. How would two non-military versions of “sword” wielded by two fishermen be “enough” against a platoon of professional soldiers? And Jesus who, like the Father, “knows the end from the beginning,” knew the numbers that would be sent against Him.

Further evidence is found when they were in the garden, surrounded by that platoon of soldiers:

Luke 22:49 “And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”; 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.”

So, they were to BRING the two swords, but were they to USE them? Peter impulsively responded with a “yes” but Jesus said “NO!” This OUGHT to answer that question, no?

And His apostle James tells us the attitude of followers of Jesus toward those who bring harm: 5:6 “You condemned, you murdered the righteous—he offers you no resistance.” What do you think was the SPIRIT in which James wrote?

Jesus’s teachings come packaged with a particular attitude or spirit. We are to surrender in childlike faith to both the teaching AND the attitude or spirit in which He said it. For example, He said, “Love one another as I have loved you” – we are not to merely agree that the statement is true but also yearn to share the spirit in which Jesus meant it and modelled it, no?

As another example, look at Acts 2:42ff, “42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ 14 doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.”

AND combine this with:

Acts 4:31-35, ” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.”

AND combine them with:

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 (regarding the motive for their sharing their possessions with fellow saints): “13 For I do not mean that others should be eased, and you burdened; 14 but by an EQUALITY, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack – that there may be EQUALITY. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” (referring to Exodus 16:18).

For someone who has entered into a childlike surrender to Jesus’s teaching AND His attitude which gave birth to those teachings, the Holy Spirit creates a DESIRE to do the same – and a yearning to find fellow disciples with whom he CAN share his possessions (no easy task in our lazy and adulterated forms of Christianity!).

But if you do NOT share the spirit of the radical generosity of Jesus and you do not share the passion to relieve suffering and poverty shared by Him and His apostles and those first, authentic Christians – the love of one another, the desire for none to be poor – you come up with excuses like, “It doesn’t say we HAVE to do this.” You would be correct as to the letter, but VERY wrong as to the spirit and the Spirit, no?

The same principle established above, with regard to possessions, applies in this issue of “self-defense”. It was born out of deep trust in God’s power to protect you and to control when you leave your body: “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Psalm 139:15).

And that kind of commitment is an aspect of a real conversion to Jesus. It is NOT enough to claim to be united to Christ because you have made some general commitment to accept Him as you “Lord and Savior.” Jesus commanded them and us to:

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).

True conversion drives us to also yearn to share in HIS gentle and humble heart. It may not easily happen by Wimpy’s “next Tuesday” (Popeye’s friend), but it will NEVER happen if we are not determined to HAVE it happen!

AMEN?