Mike,

Author Charl Van Wyk, who shot back at terrorists attacking a church meeting, will be touring the U. S. with tales of his African ministry, including his first- hand experience with Christian churches that aren’t prepared to defend themselves.

In Christian circles, Van Wyk concludes, there is an additional imperative to be armed for self- defense.

“The Apostle Paul wrote in a letter to Timothy, ‘But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially of those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever,'” noted van Wyk. “Provision includes providing security. In fact our Lord Jesus taught, ‘If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'”

Quoting Jesus again, Van Wyk added,

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself,'” he said. “Are we loving our neighbor when we stand by and do nothing when he is being murdered or a woman is being raped?”

Your brother in Christ,

B____

Good morning B____,

I will comment that the statement “Sell your cloak and buy a sword” was said and done for the express purpose of fulfilling the prophecy that Christ was to be counted as a criminal. If this were said as an admonition, then why didn’t anyone obey that admonition and sell his cloak and buy a sword? Someone says, ‘We have two swords,’ and Christ says “It is enough.” Enough for what? Are two swords sufficient to defend against a mob?

Luk 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Luk 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [ it], and likewise [ his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Luk 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
Luk 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here [ are] two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

There are thousands of very learned Biblical scholars who read these verses and who conclude that Christ was actually changing His mind and reversing His earlier teaching to trust in Him for their provisions. After all here it is:

Luk 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Luk 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [ it], and likewise [ his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

The Truth is the exact opposite. Christ is assuring them that His words can be trusted, and He is reminding them that he always provided for them and that He will continue to do so. But he is explaining why it appears that He is contradicting His earlier teaching. He is explaining why He is doing what He is doing. And here is that explanation:

Luk 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

The spirit has declared that we must all be counted as transgressors. In other words something had to be done to give the Adversary a legalexcuse to murder Christ. So Peter throws everything he had said he understood about loving his enemies out the door and tries to cut of the head of the servant of the high priest. The servant apparently ducks just in the nick of time, and Peter’s efforts end up taking off the servant’s ear. Either that or Peter put the sword on the servant’s shoulder and went to great lengths to not hit the servant’s head and shoulders. But that was not what happened. Peter meant what he had said about dying with Christ. But to Peter dying with Christ was the same thing as it is with Mr. Van Wyk, and when Mr. Van Wyk and those who follow that same belief stand before the throne of Christ, they will hear the same words Peter heard, which I cannot help but notice are not mentioned by all those who are encouraging us to ignore Christ’s doctrine while at the same time telling us they are supporting Christ’s doctrine. Where in ‘Provide for your household’ are the words ‘Kill your enemies?’
I have not checked my brain at the door when I was given the ability to accept Christ’s fiery words. I am very well aware of how Peter and Mr. Van Wyk reason. It is the same way I reason when the natural man is in control. I too, want to preserve this body and the bodies of my wife and children. Lord willing, I will place my body between those who would hurt my wife or family, but I am expected to follow Christ’s example and His doctrine. He did not take up a sword to defend Himself. He placed Himself between the offenders and His disciples by putting the severed ear of the high priest servant back on and pleading for the release of His disciples. He did not encourage His disciples to fight against a multitude with two swords which were only there to give that hate- filled multitude an excuse to call Christ a transgressor.

Luk 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here [ are] two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Two swords were enough for what? They were enough to fulfill what had been written:

Luk 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

Of course this whole event also serves to give those who do not tremble at the Word of God an excuse to point to Christ saying “sell your cloak and buy a sword” and ignore this verse which is the conclusion of this entire event:

Mat 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

That is Christ’s answer to Mr. Van Wyk.

I know you have tried this spirit and found it wanting, but this whole story demonstrates how little spiritual depth is to be found in the church. It also demonstrates just one of the many reasons that we will “be hated of all men” if we remain faithful to “the doctrine of Christ.” It really does come across as stupid and foolish to the natural man.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike