Daily Devotional for March 25, 2021

Another week.  Another mass shooting.  Another plea for the government to do something.  Another stalemate.

These senseless tragedies have become so routine, I am almost desensitized to the horror of innocent people being massacred by assault weapons. 

The Second Amendment is clear.  It says, “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”  In other words, we have a right to possess weapons.  But does that mean we have the right to own the sorts of weapons that are made only to kill people?  Some would say yes.  Some would say no. 

Too often I hear someone refer to their “God-given right” to own an assault weapon.  Any tweak or change in gun ownership laws are seen as an infringement on their liberty.  But is that true?  What does the Bible say?

In the 8^th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul addressed the question of whether or not Christians could eat meat sold in the marketplace. 

The concern was that all the meat had first been sacrificed in pagan temples.  For new Christians, who had spent their lives worshipping these pagan gods, the fact that the meat they were eating had first been sacrificed to their former god became an enormous temptation to return to that false god.  This caused a tremendous amount of needless confusion and angst.  Paul’s response was simple.

He explained that, since these gods were not real, the Christians were at liberty to eat the meat sold in the marketplace.  Then Paul added, “But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.”  (1 Corinthians 8:9)

In other words, if eating meat was a temptation for anyone, then it was better to abstain for the sake of the one who was weak.

With the understanding that a liberty for some can be a weakness to others, I think the Bible is truly clear about assault weapons.

Having said that, I have dear friends who own assault rifles.  I have no concerns with my friends having these sorts of weapons because they are responsible, good people who would never use their guns to harm others.  They are not my concern.  I trust them.

My concern is with those who are mentally ill or filled with evil intent.  These people should not have access to assault weapons or large capacity magazines.  And because they have been able to get these weapons, our country has seen an endless number of coffins, week after week, year after year.  It never seems to end.

If the answer to these mass casualty shootings and never-ending funerals is for me to give up my right to own assault weapons, so be it.  This is a small price to pay.

Is it an infringement on my liberties?  Yes, but so is being forced to stop at traffic lights, obey the speed limit, drive on the right side of the road, or wear seatbelts. 

As a Christian, it is not about my rights.  It’s about God’s will. 

The real question is this:  Is it worth keeping my right to own an assault weapon even if it means people will continue to die?

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help our nation through this difficult time.  Give our political leaders clarity, wisdom, and courage.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Just for the record, I taught Shannon to shoot because, many nights, I come home late.  I told her if she heard a door open and didn’t know if it was me, she was to yell, “I have a gun.”  She said she would start shooting and then yell, “I have a gun.”  Pray for me.

Also, I fully expect some of the readers of the Daily Devotional will disagree with my view.  Your view matters as much as mine.  I’m fine with disagreement.

(Full disclosure:  I am a gun enthusiast.  I hunt and shoot targets.  I have deer mounts in my home and office.  While in the military, I used a lot of automatic weapons.  Years ago, I taught Shannon how to use a pistol.  On our ranch, I usually carry a pistol to kill rattlesnakes.)

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins