Herein lies the biggest reason for our searching for justification for self-defense; Fear of the “what if’s.   “What if they come to kill my family?”, “What if they assault my wife?”, “What if they threaten to take my church?”, “What if they threaten to take my civil liberties?”. Motivated by fear, Christian’s in America spend massive amounts of money to lobby congress, and higher lawyers to fight battles over “what if“.  We spend hours arguing our positions over how we can biblically respond to “what if’s”.  Fear of losing what we have is the reason.  Remember a man’s life is not in the abundance of what he possesses whether it be material wealth, civil rights, numeric family, or relative safety and security .  A man’s life is in the treasurer He has in heaven. 

THE OPERATION OF FAITH MUST HOLD OT ITS PURPOSE (I Cor. 4:7-12) 
We can overcome our fear by faith. by trusting the purpose for our suffering.  This deals with God’s glory in the suffering, the benefit of our suffering to the body of Christ and Jesus intimate revelation to us, as individuals, in times of tribulation.  In the above Paul relays they are delivered to death so that Christ would be manifest in their mortal bodies.  This principal is of such great importance to understanding the purpose of our suffering.  The reason: It is god’s supernatural presence and power coming through the broken and weak.  This will always bring glory to God (I Peter 1:6-7). 

Paul’s encounters of persecution are a list of the most fearful “what if’s” (II Corinthians 4:7-9).  So great were the potential and terror, they caused Paul, at times, to despair even of living another day.  Yet he declares this was so he would trust in God alone, for His promise and provision (sounds like faith in the face of fear; II Corinthians 1:8-11).  If you look at Paul’s list you will see the sufferings of the church throughout the ages; in a church that doesnot defend itself, but walks even as Paul.  For Paul the primary purpose in suffering was the manifestation of Christ in his moral body.  This manifestation of Christ, would be a testimony to the faithful of God’s power and presence,  as well as a testimony to the lost of God’s power and presence (Act’s 7:54-60).   

Thirdly, in the midst of suffering with the potential for death, when faith overcomes fear, the supernatural manifestation of Jesus presence is personally intimate to the one suffering.  Think of Paul‘s request and the outcome of that request being denied in II Corinthians 12:7-10. Here is where we find the ultimate strength to overcome through faith Psalm 116:15.  We are precious in His sight, yet it is when we are facing painful consequences for being His follower, that He is most closely encountered in His manifest presence.  Remember it is in “the valley of the shadow of death” where we fear no evil, knowing He is with us, receiving His personal comfort, correction and encouragement.  It is when we are in the most unbearable potential for personal loss or destruction, that through the exercise of faith, we encounter Jesus most personally intimate to us (Philippians 3:10). 

THE PROMISE OF FAITH ANCHORED IN OUR HOPE (II Cor. 5:6-7) 
Here we see the development of years of choosing faith over fear.  Paul declares that if their natural life should end in persecution, they are 1000% sure, with perfect certainty that they will be present with the Lord.  We understand that while we are more comfortable with our natural life and the feelings and the good desires of this life, that to be in them means we are devoid of His literal physical presence.  Paul boldly professes “We walk by faith, not by sight”; This means no matter how comfortable and common-sensical it may seem to hold on to life here and now, it is far better to hope and desire and yes to be absent from the body and present with the Lord (Romans 8:18; II Corinthians 4:17-18). 

Yet our dear brother goes still further to cement this truth Philippians 1:20b-25. (vs. 20) A reiteration of His faith of what is seen in the midst of our suffering, Gods’ presence.  (vs. 21) If I live longer, every moment I will strive to pursue to glorify Jesus, If I die… It is far better read (vs. 23).  What we see is that Paul was not worried about living more, he merely wanted to be faithful until his departure to be with Jesus.  How extreme was this desire Acts 14:19-20, Acts 21:7-14? 

Here is the point: Paul was so convinced of the outcome of his death, being immediate entrance into the presence of Christ, he did not let fear stop his pursuit of the will of God, even the fear of his death or that of others, would not lead him to give into walking contrary to God’s will.  Many a person claims quite boldly they will die for Jesus, but if you do not exercise faith now, when the threat is low, how will you when it is high?  Why try to make a justification that does not exist in the scripture for defending ourselves or preserving life, when Jesus Himself taught otherwise. 

We must guard ourselves from looking for a hidden meaning or one more inclined with our modern human idea of rights, when looking into the word of God.  Seek to save your life, you will lose it and that has eternal ramifications Luke 9:23-26.  We need not fear, this world is not our ultimate home, and life here and now is exactly that, here and now.  This current time could never compare, with all the potential good and momentary suffering, to the glory we will share when we see His face.