Devotional:  Protecting Those You Love

Presented by: Jeff Dick

    June 6, 2009

    "Protecting Those You Love"

    We all are commanded by Jesus to love God, and to love all others. But as men in Christ, are we called to PROTECT those we
    love. Jesus described Himself in John 10:14, saying “"I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me.” As
    men, we are called to be the leaders of the church, modeling ourselves after Jesus Christ, and if Jesus is the good shepherd,
    then we are to be good shepherds of the flocks also. This is confirmed in 1 Peter 5:4 describing Jesus as the “Head Shepherd”,
    implying that we are also shepherds under Him. Two chief responsibilities of a shepherd are to feed the flock and protect the flock
    from thieves and predators. I am here to challenge you as men and good shepherds to protect the flock from thieves and
    predators. Protect yourself, your family, --- all people you are called to love --- which is ALL PEOPLE.

    Why don’t we just trust in the Lord? The scriptures are loaded with affirmations of how the lord will protect us from harm and
    destroy the wicked (Psalm 89:18, Proverbs 10:29, Proverbs 28:18). Absolutely, we should put our trust in the Lord, but God
    performs his will usually in two ways: 1) by divine intervention/miracles and 2) by using people. God may issue a hedge of
    protection or intervene with a miracle to protect us, OR we ourselves may be called on by God to intervene to protect others from
    harm.

    Many forms of protection from evil doers or predators were discussed: bolts and locks on doors and windows, insurance policies
    for life and property, alarm systems, and martial arts. But if an evil predator is about to take your life or the life of someone you love
    with a gun from any distance away, the only possible way to save that life is to use your own legally concealed handgun. Jeff
    described six reasons why he personally carries a legally concealed handgun. (credit should be given to Mark Rogers at
    christiangunowner.com for use/modification of his reasons for carrying a concealed handgun)

  1. Because I can. It is a right afforded to me by the U.S. Constitution and the State of New York.
  2. Because it is my duty and responsibility not to give up a right afforded to me by what I and the founding fathers believe was the
    guiding hand of “Our Creator”, almighty God, in the framing of the Constitution of the U.S. and the Bill of Rights. It was noted that
    Jesus was not against carrying weapons, as mentioned in Luke 22:36-38.
  3. Because I choose to take responsibility for the safety of my fellow man, knowing that police generally arrive at a crime scene after
    the criminals are long gone and the devastation to citizen victims is already done. In the parable of “The Good Samaritan” WWJD if
    He actually saw the innocent man being beaten and robbed?
  4. Because I live in a real world in which I acknowledge that real evil exist.
  5. Because I want to be part of what makes criminals wonder if their next victim will fire back.
  6. Target shooting is a heck of a lot of fun! But it is also a responsibility. Anyone carrying a gun should be proficient at shooting it,
    cleaning it and storing it safely where children can’t get at it.

    In summation, to protect those he loves each man must search his own heart and take the measures he can live with that are
    safe, legal, and responsible, while being true to his faith.