AboutMrs. Priscilla Lyons Expertise I have time for you. The Bible has been my guiding light for most of the 56 years of my life. My missionary parents in Brazil kindled a love for God`s Word by their example and their love for truth. The Lord has blessed my husband and me with responsible, independent children who love and serve the Lord and are our best friends. I would enjoy discussing any subject or problem from a Biblical perspective. I know the dangers of government entitlement mentality, the dangers of homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, gun restrictions, pacifism and environmental extremism.
Experience My husband and I are active in local Republican politics and I've served on a Right to Life PAC.
Question IN your expertise description you said that the Bible has been your guide for most of your life, but later you said that pacifism was a danger. I have read the Bible and read that Jesus considered himself a pacifist and said "blessed are the peacemakers", and a lot of other antiwar quotes. So how can you believe that pacifism is wrong yet use the Bible as your guide?
Answer Thanks for writing, Chris. There is a peace with God by His payment for our sins which separate us from Perfection (God). Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of (are separated from) the glory of God" Romans 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death (separation from the Source of Life) but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives."
Peace between humans is not completely possible because sin causes problems. Even when a person goes God's direction, having loved ones going in a different direction causes friction. Jesus said in Matthew 10:34, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." But for Christians, there is a peace between races or other separations. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond or free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
Jesus told Pilate that if His kingdom were of this world, then His servants would fight that He should not be delivered to the Jews. But, He said in John 18:36, "now is my kingdom not from hence." Revelation 19:11-21 describes when Jesus will have His kingdom on earth, after every chance is given for people to willingly turn from sin to have eternal life through our Creator. "in righteousness He does judge and make war."
There is a time to turn the other cheek and take an insult with kindness. ("whosoever shall smite thee on thy RIGHT cheek" A right-handed person facing you would smite your right cheek with the back of his hand, thus an insult, not a bodily danger." But there may be a time for the sword as Jesus mentioned in Luke 22:35-36. Governments are supposed to use the "sword" to punish evil. Romans 13:3-4
Blessed are the peacemakers, the children of God who share with others the Good News of peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Is He your Lord?
Keep reading the Bible. None of us will get it all perfectly understood, but there's always food to help us grow to reflect His image better and better.
