On May 8, 2017, I watched a piece on NBCBLK called In the Age of Trump, Black Church Preaches Gospel of God and Guns, which talked about the increase in gun sales, especially among African Americans. The growth has been significant since the election of Donald Trump. What is most disturbing about this increase in gun sales is not that black people are buying guns but that more and more “Christians” are packing heat. Their justification? “Oh, God was a God of wrath and vengeance.” I’m sorry, but I do not believe the Lord wants to arm the church with weapons.

Yes, many scriptures report violence in the name of God and by God. However, I still have a problem believing God is the opposite of what he wants us to be. One of the Ten Commandments says, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). Jesus said in the Garden of Gethsemane, when one of his disciples pulled out a sword, presumably to defend the Lord, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matt 26:52). The temple guard and a unit of roman soldiers capture God (Jesus), falsely convict him of crimes he didn’t commit, beat him beyond recognition, crucified him, and the death was slow and painful.

These are just some reasons I find it hard to believe that we should arm ourselves to harm or kill one another in the name of Jesus. One of the reasons Jesus SUBMITTED to man’s cruelty was to show the people of this world the true nature of God.

The writer of Hebrews says,

“Long ago, God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now, in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son, he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heave.”

Hebrews 1:1-3

Before Jesus was born, God spoke to the Israelites through prophets. However, when Jesus did come, there was no need for a prophet. Jesus was the Son of God in the flesh. He is God incarnate; as such, Jesus was God’s greatest revelation of Himself. To know what God is like, you must look to Jesus.

Now, I don’t pretend to have all knowledge about who God is. However, I know the Lord Jesus was non-violent, forgiving, kind, and full of love and grace. He said he was here for the deliverance of all people. And those people include all the ones you may hate for whatever reason you have used to justify why you need a gun or why you need to eliminate your enemies. All lives matter to the Lord, Jesus.

I’m afraid Jesus doesn’t condone or bless our “right to bear arms.” When the Lord finally returns, I hope you do not think you will have any rights to any weapons or anything else designed or meant to cause harm to another. I don’t believe a willingness to kill another indicates righteousness. I don’t think the church should be arming itself for physical confrontations.

I am not saying that we shouldn’t have authorities armed to protect the citizens of this current society or the military from protecting the country. However, a society without violence and the need for police is God’s goal (Isiaih 2:2-4). I don’t believe everyone should be armed and taking matters into their own hands. People will get themselves killed or put in prison for killing someone.

I believe God is a peaceful being, and he also wants us to be. We need Christians to begin praying for themselves, for a revelation of who God is. I can tell you all day that the Bible says God is love. However, until you have had this revelation, you don’t know, nor will such information affect you. It is part of why you want to buy a gun (take up the sword) or feel justified in taking someone’s life for whatever reason.

I admit there are times I get very frustrated, maybe even angry, and I want to lash out. I may even have the thought of actually killing someone. But deep down, I don’t believe in violence. And I don’t think God does either. I don’t care what scriptures you throw at me to prove otherwise. I believe we have misunderstood God. Before Jesus came, man didn’t clearly understand who God was. And even after, we didn’t get it—for example, Emperor Constantine and his conquests in the name of Jesus.

I have changed. When I do have violent thoughts and think them through to the end, they horrify me. I don’t want to be hurt, nor can I stand the thought of hurting someone. If you are capable and willing to take a life, that’s a problem, especially if you call yourself a follower of Christ.

Well, I’ve said my piece.