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There are many people, many Christians,
who are arming themselves because they're fearful,
terribly fearful,
about potential or imagined threats to them,
to their families, even to their churches.
When God's people are in bondage to fear,
I think we as pastors, shepherds of souls,
should be concerned.
I've asked pastors where and how they get their information
on gun issues.
Most tell me, Fox News or the NRA.
Brothers and sisters,
Fox News and the NRA are not spiritual authorities.
I'm concerned about the NRA
promoting the idea that the best way to solve
the most vexing problems in our society
is to be prepared to shoot people dead.
That doesn't sit well with me as a Christian moral vision.
And when we champion the Second Amendment
over and above the word of God,
then we must be very careful
that in respecting the Second Amendment,
we don't violate the Second Commandment.
You want to know what the meaning of all this is,
all 66 books of the Bible?
Put it all together, all of church tradition--
love God, and love the person next to you.
[Applause]
It's as simple as that!
"The night is far gone," Paul says.
The day is at hand,
so then let us cast off the works of darkness--
fear, ignorance, hatred, vengeance--
and put on the armor of light.
Let's pray.