13 Behold, I say unto you, Nay, let us retain our swords that they be not stained with the blood of our brethren; for perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which shall be shed for the atonement of our sins.
Although they knew of God’s great love and mercy, still they had the fear of God in them. They respected God, and did not want to press their luck, as it were. They knew their precarious position! They knew how close they came to being beyond redemption from sin. They were afraid. Afraid to offend their loving and merciful but just God. And that is a good and healthy fear! When the scriptures tell us to fear god, and work out our salvation with fear and trembling, i believe this is what the scripture means. That we must be very careful to not offend that God upon whom we rely completely, utterly and helplessly for mercy.
Rather than risk losing everything worth having, they would not use their swords on another human being, even in self defense.
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