Loving God is the greatest command of God. His second greatest commandment is to love others as we love ourselves. It is love, therefore, that should be our greatest guiding principle in life. Yet, God has shown us that there are times when circumstances dictate a change in our behavior.

Abraham, “God’s friend” slaughtered those who attacked Sodom and took the citizens captive. Melchizedek, God’s priest (and a type of Christ no less) blessed him upon his return and attributed his success in battle to God (Genesis 14).

Samuel, God’s special prophet, hacked Agag, the king of the vile Amalekites to pieces with a sword and reprimanded Saul for not having done it himself (1st Samuel 15).

David, the “man after God’s heart” (Acts 13:22) slew his “ten-thousands” starting with Goliath whose head he severed with Goliaths own sword.

Jael, sweet little homemaker she was, drove a tent peg through the temples of Sisera killing the enemy of her people (Judges 4).

Phinehas was given a “perpetual priesthood” by Almighty God for killing a couple who were leading God’s people into evil behavior (Numbers 25).

None of these were violent people. They did not “live by the sword” but were ready with the sword when justice called for violence.

The names of men such as Gideon, Barak, Samson & Jephthah along with others named “became mighty in war” & “put foreign armies to flight”. They acted upon faith in God who raised them up to do such things (Hebrews 11).

I thank God for our police and military who stand against evil today.

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God……. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” Romans 13:1-4