What to Do When They Come for Your Guns?

By David Ettinger

When, Not If
Notice the title says “When They Come for Your Guns,” not “If They Come for Your Guns.” I believe it’s inevitable. Eventually, American sentiment and the properly accommodating government will pass legislation which will take guns away from citizens not involved in the military and law enforcement.

The question is: What obligation will Christians have to that law?

Biblical Example
I’m talking about a time when this will become the law of the land, when the Second Amendment will be repealed.

Multitudes of gun owners have vowed that if the government comes to take their guns away from them, they will fight back. But what about Christian gun owners? Should they be fighting the government on this issue, or are they to obey the law of the land?

Many believers point to Acts Chapter 5 when the Jewish leadership in Israel ordered the apostles not to speak publicly about Jesus (v. 28). Peter famously replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (v. 29). This meant, of course, that when it came to sharing the Gospel and talking about Christ, we must disobey the mandates of government.

Most evangelicals concur with this. Though we know we are to be law-abiding citizens (Romans 13:1-5), there are rare instances when we are to disobey the government. Those instances involve laws and practices which oppose God’s Word.

So yes, believers are to be obedient to the government in all matters which do not contradict God’s Word. If a law is passed banning Bible reading, Bible teaching, and sharing the Gospel, we are to disobey that law and accept the penalties.

What about Guns?
Now, does the Acts 5 example apply to gun ownership? In my opinion, absolutely not. Though the United States government has given its citizens the right to keep and bear arms, the Bible says nothing about it. If the government orders gun owners to relinquish their guns, Bible believers are obligated to do it.

Obeying God supersedes all things, and He (with the exception mentioned in the previous section) has commanded us to “be subject to the governing authorities … Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2).

I can’t see how this can be any clearer. This is not an issue involving God, the Gospel, or the Bible. It is a civil matter, and we are to adhere to it, just like every other nation with very strict gun laws. I mean, are you really going to shoot and kill those who come to LEGALLY take your guns. This is cold-blooded murder, and the Bible DOES forbid that! Are you really willing to bring judgment on yourself as per Romans 13:2 over a non-spiritual issue?

Take Up the Cross
Jesus told us: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Jesus was speaking specifically about death. He told us that we should be willing to die for HIM every day of our lives, not a civil cause.

When Peter cut off the servant’s ear at Jesus’ arrest, the Lord chastised Him and told Peter to “Put your sword away!” (John 18:11). And that was for a “noble” cause – to keep Jesus from being arrested. How much more so would Jesus tell us to lay down our arms when it comes to civil matters?

Well, there’s my 2 cents on this fiery issue. Your feedback is very much welcome. All opinions are welcome, but please “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27).

I look forward to hearing from you!

Tagged: 2nd Amendment, Christians and Guns, Government, Gun Laws, Law of the Land, Obeying God, the New Testament

Posted in: Application, Bible study, Bible teaching, Christian Behavior, Christian Ethics, Christianity, Commentary, Culture, Editorial/Blog, Government, Gun Laws, New Testament, Obeying God, Politics, The Bible