Is It Permissible For Christians To Fight In Self-Defence?

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Jesus said, “Resist not evil … whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matt. 5:39). Does this mean Christians must never defend ourselves?

The Bible makes it clear we are to live by God’s law of love in every aspect of our lives. Therefore it would never be right for a Christian to fight back with the purpose of inflicting bodily injury, even if provoked.

Nonetheless, the use of RESTRAINING FORCE may at times be necessary and advisable. For example, if someone tried to strike you with a club, it would not be wrong to restrain the attacker if you were able.

The best defense is to avoid circumstances which are dangerous or threatening. In case of emergency, we should quickly ask God, in prayer, for protection and deliverance. God hears those who are faithful to Him (see Hebrews 11:6 and I John 3:22).

But, what of “turning the other cheek”? Does that mean Christians are to be pushovers and doormats? Certainly not! Jesus Christ was not. Jesus had the wisdom to know when to avoid confrontations and when to challenge injustice and evil. He forced the money changers out of the temple. Yet, He submitted to the most horrible verbal and physical abuse and finally allowed Himself to be crucified (thereby fulfilling His commission). But, through it all, Jesus set us an example of the type of attitude we ought to have, no matter what the circumstances.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:19). What should a Christian do in the face of evil and injustice? The answer is, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (verse 21).

If we have a godly attitude and a proper personal relationship with God, we can have total confidence that He is
watching over us and will protect us from harm and evil according to His will (see Psalm 91).

What Does Predestination Really Mean?

Does God know ahead of time whether an individual will be saved or lost? Has God foreordained that some would be saved, while others are destined to be lost? Does one have any choice at all regarding his or her own salvation?

It stands to reason that if God knows beforehand how we are going to decide, then all is predetermined. And if that is the case, then why try at all?

On the other hand, if God knows we will repent, accept Christ and be saved, we’ll have to do it in the end anyways, whether we try or not. Our ultimate fate is already determined in advance. If that is so, then we are simply not free moral agents – we have nothing to say about it.

The subject of predestination has often puzzled and worried many people simply because they have accepted, without question, the teachings of their religion.But predestination has nothing to do with any particular decision one makes, or their fate – it has only to do with the time of their calling. There is not one word in the Bible about anyone being predestined to be lost.

Rom 8:28-30 says:  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Notice the hopeful language on the subject. Our calling is for a very special purpose; that of becoming sons in the family of God. Eph 1:4-5 verifies this:

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

These scriptures reveal that God foreordained, from the beginning, to call out a group of people to become rulers and teachers in His Kingdom when He will set His hand to call and bring salvation to all mankind.

From before the foundation of the world, God had formulated this plan – it was not hastily composed. God is not reacting to Satan – He knew that Adam and Eve were likely to sin, and had His entire plan formulated before that time.

However, there is no indication that God knew those He would call individually, thousands of years in advance. This would be impossible, as it is only those who endure to the end who will be saved (Matt. 24:13). God cannot possibly know what decision those called out will make because He made them free moral agents – able to choose for themselves whether they will live God’s way or not. The choice is clearly given to them. (Deut. 30:19)

What is the reason for predestination?

God has predestined that some would be called at certain times for a specific purpose. The rest will be called by God to understand the way of salvation later. God planned from before the foundation of the world to establish His Church to train the future kings and priests of His Kingdom – to have a part in teaching the way of salvation to the masses during the illennium. He knew far in advance that leaders, teachers and governmental administrators would be needed for His Kingdom, so He planned ahead – predestinated – that He would call some to this training, especially in this age.

Predestination actually proves that God is not trying to save the world now, but that He purposed to call only a small group as firstfruits, according to His plan, so that he can ultimately offer salvation to all!

Is This The Only Day Of Salvation?

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The common belief in this world is that God is desperately trying to save this world now. That He is struggling with Satan to save all mankind, while the devil is feverishly trying to keep as many as he can “lost forever.”

So what about you? Do you believe this doctrine? If so, who do you think is winning?

If God and Satan are in a titanic battle for human lives and if God is as all-powerful as the Bible reveals, then why is two-thirds of the world non-Christian today? And why have billions already died without ever having had a chance to be saved?

False assumptions!

Many sermons have been preached based on the premise that there is no middle ground. Either you are this minute saved, or you’re a lost soul. Many people have grieved over dead loved ones who had never “professed Christ.” Perhaps over one who was a terrible sinner, or one who lived a “good”life, but never became an active church member. Still, others grieve because they are not sure whether some loved one died “saved.”

The teaching that a person is either saved or lost comes from the assumption that God is trying to save the world – that the mission of the Church is to save mankind now – that this is the “only day of salvation.”

Why most have not understood

The vast majority of people have never ehard the true gospel – the good news of the coming Kingdom of God. And of all those who have heard it, most have not understood that message because Satan has deceived them (Rev. 12:9). Therefore they never had a chance to understand and to be saved.

Are they all, through no fault of their own, “lost forever?” Shocking as it may sound, God does not intend for everyone to understand His truth at this time! If He did, they would understand.

Many think that Jesus spoke in parables to make His meaning clearer. That was not the reason. He spoke in parables to hide His real meaning so most of His heareres would NOT understand.

After Jesus had spoken the parable of the sower, His disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables (Matt. 13:10, Mark 4:10). Notice Christ’s response: “That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing that they may hear, and NOT understand…(Mark 4:11-12).

God has allowed the vast majority of humanity to be blind to His truth. He has allowed Satan to deceive the whole world. It is God’s purpose and plan that, until Christ returns, , only those whom He purposely calls (John 6:44, 65), can become true Christians.

These members of God’s family will be kings, priests, teachers and administrators in His soon coming world ruling government. Only a comparatively few now are being called to fulfill these positions. They are receiving the training necessary in God’s true Church to prepare them to teach all mankind when God’s Kingdom is set up.

Everyone to be called

God reveals in the Bible that those He has not yet called have not lost their opportunity for salvation. Again, God is not in the process of saving everyone now.

After Christ returns and establishes the Kingdom of God on earth, He will then begin to teach the way of salvation to millions. They will receive their calling and opportunity to understand God’s truth and be born into His Family during the illennium.

But what about the multiple billions who have already died without ever hearing or understanding the way of salvation. After the Millennium, they will be resurrected to mortal life and given their opportunity to understand God’s truth, to be begotten by god’s Spirit, to grow in His character, and to become Spirit born members of His family.

God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Everyone will ultimately be called and given the opportunity to receive salvation.