Reece Gardner: The sword of defense

Gun control laws are back in focus by the Left. There are many who maintain that since there are so many different kinds of weapons among the populace that we should just use the term "Sword" to bring them all into the discussion arena. 

Let's do that now: There is nothing inherently good or bad about a sword. The quality of sharpened steel may be determined by whether it's in the hands of a surgeon or a bandit. Earth's greatest teacher did admonish, 'Put up your swords, because those who carry them will be destroyed by them." But here Jesus is talking about weapons drawn in anger and vengeance, because He also states, "I am come not to bring peace, but a sword." Here He is talking about a weapon drawn against evil. So all depends upon the purpose for which the blade is to be used. 

But remember this: Without swords, coerced men cry "Peace" when there is no peace, and surrender the most heavenly things to the most hellish forces. There is a sword bathed in Heaven.  So long as swords are in the hands only of those who cannot be trusted with them, the only peace possible between the lion and the lamb, which it is prophesied will one day lie down together, is for the lamb to lie down INSIDE the lion. Now there are some present-day appeasers of evil who would label that arrangement "Peace," but a peace dictated by unethical force is the peace of slaves. 

A nation must be strong if its word for peace is to be effective. For example, in England before World War II a group of activists conducted a vigorous campaign against the sword of defense. Ironically, in so doing they helped bring about chaos and misery that fell upon their country. And in this country recently a politician took to the stage to declare that evil, no matter how diabolical, must never be resisted by physical force. Then he asked the rhetorical question, "What has a sword ever accomplished worthwhile?" After his speech, a man from the audience approached him and said, "I can tell you one thing the sword of defense has accomplished." 

The speaker responded, "Oh, and what is that?" To which the man answered, "The sword of defense, in the hands of those who would go forth to resist militant evil, has made it possible for you to stand on this platform today and declare your convictions without fear of being liquidated." There are some among the self-appointed elite in this world who believe they know more about what's good for us than we do and that they must protect us from ourselves.  Let's be sure to make our voices heard at the ballot box this year!

Now for a couple of brief humorous items: An agent says to the writer, "I've got some good news and some bad news."

Writer: "First, tell me the good news."

Agent: "Paramount Pictures just loved your script, absolutely ate it up."

Writer: "That's fantastic. And the bad news?" 

Agent: "Paramount Pictures is the name of my dog."

And this one: A new teacher was trying to make use of her psychology courses.  She started her class by saying, "Everyone who thinks they're stupid, stand up." After a few seconds, Little Johnny stood up. The teacher said, "Do you think you're stupid, Little Johnny?" 

And Little Johnny answered, "No, Ma'am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself." 

Have a really great day!