{Note: I am very aware of how controversial this topic is in our country, even among Christians. As a rule, I write about relationships. So why blog about guns? Because fighting over this issue is destroying relationships. Please do me the honor of reading the entire post before you jettison it, or me, to the trash.}
I don't own a gun. Never have. (Well there was that BB gun back in 2nd grade.) However, I live in a part of the country where just about everyone does own a gun, or two, or twenty.
I’ve heard most, if not all, of the arguments on both sides regarding gun ownership and gun-control:
- It’s our American right to bear arms.
- More gun control laws will reduce gun deaths (especially if we eliminate high-capacity magazines).
- If you outlaw guns, only the criminals will have them.
- Guns are rarely used in self-defense.
- Gun control laws don’t deter crime; gun ownership deters crime.
- The presence of a gun makes a conflict more likely to become violent.
- Taking away my gun gives too much power to the government and may result in government tyranny.
- Countries with restrictive gun control laws have lower gun homicide and suicide rates than the US.
And the list and arguments go on and on.
I know how volatile this issue is right now. Some of you reading this are experiencing a rise in your blood pressure, and you’re already thinking, “If Bubna tells me I shouldn’t own a gun, I’m not only unsubscribing from this dang blog, but I might also unsubscribe from my connection to him!”
Relax.
I’m not going to tell you what you should or shouldn't think about guns. I’m not even going to give you my opinion on this topic. (I'll save that for another time and a different blog.)
As I said, I know this is a big hot button. I’m pretty sure I have family members and church members who are founding members of the NRA. I also have a few anti-gun pacifists in my clan.
I know there are some good arguments made on both sides of this subject. My bigger concern, and the main reason for this blog, has to do with how we, as Christ-followers, treat those who disagree with us. I am deeply troubled regarding the vile and divisive way too many Christians get when this issue is brought up.
Maybe more gun-control isn’t the answer; maybe it is. I’m not sure I have a clear and definitive answer. Honestly, I'm still wrestling with the old and important question: What would Jesus do?
But what I do know for certain is that whether we believe someone is right or wrong on this issue, we must be kind. We must love one another. We must not allow our personal beliefs to fester into ugliness or meanness toward someone. Ever.
You can disagree with me or with anyone else.
You can hold dearly to your opinions.
You cannot, however, as I have written many times before, make being “right” more important than being relational. It’s simply not okay.
Jesus said you and I must love our enemies even when they are 100% wrong and we are 100% right. That means we put love and being relational with everyone before everything else; even our right to be right.
Furthermore, Peter said, “Above all (yes, even above our political positions), love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” 1 Peter 4:8.
Perhaps, the more important issue isn’t gun-control or gun-rights. Maybe, just maybe, we must agree to disagree while maintaining a humble heart of love for one another.
Here’s my paraphrase of a familiar passage found in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8. Please read it slowly and prayerfully.
If I can out-argue my brother and debate him into the ground, but I’m not loving, I’m just a bag of wind and useless. If I can perhaps see something others can’t and I’m smarter and more knowledgeable than most, and even if the sheer force of my character can move the masses, but I don’t love, I am bankrupt and of absolutely no value to anyone.
If I’m a pacifist willing to die for others and one who makes great personal sacrifices, but I do not love the non-pacifist, it doesn’t mean jack, and no one truly gains.
Love, God’s love in me, is longsuffering, incredibly kind, and not at all arrogant or cocky. It’s not about me proving anything or me being right at the expense of a relationship. Love doesn’t give me any wiggle room to get ticked off or to keep score. To do so is evil and not the result of living in truth.
So, love—the kind of love Jesus modeled—always has the best interest of others in mind, it always believes the best about others, and it never ever fails or gives up. Never.
Whatever you believe about guns matters, but how you treat and love those who believe differently than you matters more.
A lot more.
I loved the paraphrase, Kurt!
Great Blog Kurt
This blog has left me pondering the question of whether or not taking the life of another human is ever the right thing to do. When I first read the blog, I thought, well of course I must defend myself and my loved ones from an attack by another. Of course I would shoot someone who was trying to kill my grandchild. Of course Jesus would take someone out if he or she was trying to harm me. But then I tried to picture Jesus killing one of His children, and I couldn’t envision that. Jesus loves that hypothetical murderer just as much as He does me. The life of that person is just as precious to Jesus as mine is. Wow! The turning-the-other-cheek bar has been raised considerably in my mind. I am reassessing my long-held beliefs, and I am struggling. When I first entertained the thought that Jesus might not defend me against an attack by another, I was crushed. The One I thought was my Protector wouldn’t protect me? But then I realized that Jesus could defend me by any one of many supernatural means that would not result in another’s death. I breathed more easily. However, I’m still conflicted about what I should and shouldn’t do to defend myself and others. Still pondering that one.
That is an excellent paraphrase of that passage in 1 Corinthians. One of the things I have come to learn, but am still trying to put into practice, is the fact that the Church, in many ways, consists of a group of people who shouldn’t be together. We all come from different cultures, speak different languages( even English is different around our own country), like different foods, dress different, have different personalities and different interests, and so on. There is no logical reason we should get along except for the presence of the Holy Spirit. I only wish I could do a better job of practicing this, but everywhere I go, there I am getting in the way.
Kurt, Agree 110%. When we head to heaven, all our guns and ammo stay behind. Only people get to go, and that should be our ultimate goal.
I am always shocked at how often I forget what is most important. No wonder reviewing, studying and applying scripture to life is critical to healthy personal growth and witness.
this blog is similar to the metaphor that our pastor, Russ used: Having to be right when others don’t agree with us is akin to diving into a trench and lobbing “truth-bombs” at each other; AKA we start a war of words instead of remembering how important we are to each other. We are family and God calls us to love each other. Thanks for the reminder, Kurt.
Thank you Kurt. There are many days I feel torn apart and ashamed of my own words and actions. Your I Corn 13 rendition spoke to my heart. Thanks for pointing me to hope.
Kurt your very heavily armed weapon and Ammo hoarding cousin agree´s with you on this one. I think God also agrees.
Kurt
Thank you for this blog. You are very right! This is a hot topic. All too often those on either side of this argument let the argument define not only who they are, but who their friends are. This also happens in politics.
Coming from my perspective, where I and my wife Vickie is fairly involved in politics, and the gun issues, I try very hard not to let those two issues define me totally. Yes, I have my beliefs on both these issues, as I suspect you do as well. You know me well enough you can probably guess where I stand on these issues. I honor and respect your position to not push your position on your blog. Relationships ARE more important. Our relationship with God, our Country, our Family, and our Friends are much more important than our position on guns and politics. I agree with you that our relationships are much more important than just about everything!
Keep up the good work! I know that you will probably get blasted by some for this blog. It will just reveal their ignorance so don’t take it personally, even when they make it personal!
Love you Brother!
Well said, Kurt! As Christians, we must look beyond our superficial differences and love each other first and foremost. Without love, we truly are wind bags, aren’t we?
Blessings!