Guarding the Whole Congregation
Recently there have been several incidents in which people have entered churches and attacked the people leaving deaths and injuries. I am told that there have been many more than what has been widely reported in the media. Also, there has always been a problem with people breaking into church buildings to steal and to vandalize. All of this leads us to ask, "What would the Lord have us to do?" I believe He gave us His plan when He instructed Moses about the duties of the tribe of Levi. (Numbers 3:5-7) They were to guard the whole congregation of the Lord and the tabernacle. I believe we should have a similar plan today.
There are always going to be people who think they can take advantage of Christians and churches. The thing we need to keep in mind is that it is not a sin to protect ourselves and the house of the Lord. Yes, we should never retaliate for an attack on us, so that we try to inflict harm on another individual out of anger or vengeance. However, that is totally different from self-defense and defending other people and the property of the Lord. I believe the Lord would have us to have a group of people to guard the whole congregation of the Lord and the things of God. We should never be belligerent or hateful in the process. We should not put immature people in this capacity. However, there is a way to honor the Lord and guard life and possessions from attacks by people who would disrespect them and want to harm.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 5-7.
There are always going to be people who think they can take advantage of Christians and churches. The thing we need to keep in mind is that it is not a sin to protect ourselves and the house of the Lord. Yes, we should never retaliate for an attack on us, so that we try to inflict harm on another individual out of anger or vengeance. However, that is totally different from self-defense and defending other people and the property of the Lord. I believe the Lord would have us to have a group of people to guard the whole congregation of the Lord and the things of God. We should never be belligerent or hateful in the process. We should not put immature people in this capacity. However, there is a way to honor the Lord and guard life and possessions from attacks by people who would disrespect them and want to harm.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 5-7.