Read the sermon on the mount. Do we put our trust in guns or in God? Trusting in military power is what got David into trouble with God.

APL,

Should Christians be promoting a society without soldiers and police? Do you see every soldier or police officer as working in a forbidden position? Should soldiers and police officers not have guns?

Of course we should not put our trust in guns. But guns must sometimes be used. I should not put my trust in cars either. But that doesn't mean I should never own one or use one. Your reasoning here is quite immature, and widely misses the mark.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

You are right -- the role of the government is to implement a safe society, and that includes putting a stop to criminals.

It's true that modern society has forsaken justice in many ways, but that does not mean a just government is wrong. Indeed the Bible strongly supports that leaders rule with justice.

Can you imagine a society where criminals are not punished and stopped? We are getting closer to such, and it isn't good.

Seems APL is advocating that criminals should not be stopped? The message seems to be -- let anarchy reign, no one has the right to stop it, not even God. Let sin destroy itself.
But that is not what I read in scripture. Those in civil leadership have a duty to see that justice is maintained.

God gave Noah and his descendants a command.

"Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed... Gen. 9:6

By paying taxes we support the military and the police.

Romans
13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.
13:5 Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

And then you get a vicious cycle. The Islamist believe the same! "If you kill one of my family, we will kill you!" Our message is Jesus Christ. He is the message. What did Jesus say?

Matthew 5:43-44 You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you; (see Leviticus 19:18; Psalms 139:21-22; Proverbs 25:21-22 )

Matthew 5:38-42 You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. [Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21.] 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your undershirt (tunic), let him have your coat also. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two [miles]. 42 Give to him who keeps on begging from you, and do not turn away from him who would borrow [at interest] from you. [Deuteronomy 15:8; Proverbs 24:29.]

It is really hard to follow Jesus's teachings when self gets in the way.

Taxes - - MM, since we are speaking specifically about the United States, Luke 20:24-25 Show Me denarius (a coin)! Whose image and inscription does it have? They answered, Caesar's. (dead presidents) 25 He said to them, Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.

Was Christ advocating supporting military action? Nope. How fast can a government take away all your money if they wanted to? Money is not our own.

Christ is our message!

Do you really believe the USA should not intervene militarily to stop ISIS? Do you really believe police should not use armed force to keep the peace?

Are the ways of war, peace? To whom to we owe our peace and safety? Is the USA a "Christian"? Is God's Kingdom a kingdom of the sword? Does God use power over people? If you are concerned about yourself and what violence will do to you, then I suggest you have not found the peace of God's Kingdom. Shall we overcome rebellion by force? God's principles are not of this order.

APL seems to be confusing personal vengeance with government responsibility to create a safe environment for it's citizens.

The Biblical ideal is for judges and administrators to deal out justice in a just and responsible manner.

APL also seems to confuse religious force with basic municipality law and order keeping. Religion is not to be enforced by any government, their responsibility is to keep the community safe and free from people who are out to rob, cheat, and kill.

Of course once a person creates a god who will not punish or execute justice and whose very nature supposedly will not put an active stop to evil because that is against what they consider to be "love" for everyone, such a concept will then demand they also promote a society here on earth as well where criminals are never punished or stopped.

The texts quoted are speaking of the personal relationships -- we are not to hate, we are not to seek revenge, and if someone wrongs us we need to forgive and show kindness in return. But criminals still need to be stopped. Love can be shown by visiting them in prison and sharing salvations story with them, and showing genuine and friendly concern for them.
But there still needs to be law and order.

The church has been receiving material on dealing with abuse, urging church members to stop being silent concerning abuse issues.

Case histories are presented.
A wife meekly seeking the pastor's advise, concerning the beatings she receives from her husband (and shows bruises as evidence).
The pastor takes out his bible and reads --
"Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too....bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you."

And tells her to go home and be a good wife to her husband. After all her husband is a respected church member.

So she goes back home. As weeks go by the pastor as well as other church members notice the woman often has bruises and is getting more and more with-drawn. Sure they try to be friendly with her, but no one does anything, after all they see the husband as a spiritual person and friend as well.

Then one night the pastor receives a phone call from the hospital, this women is in critical condition due to another senseless beating by her husband. The authorities have arrested the husband.

Was the church doing the right and loving thing?
Were the authorities wrong in arresting the husband?
According to APL it seems he would think so.