Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Christian Soldiers?

“Christians should be proud when their sons and daughters join the military and go off to war.”

No

Jesus said just the opposite. There is no way that shooting or bombing one’s enemy (or anyone) is loving them or blessing them—the enemy or the one who kills their enemy. As long as people kill each other in retaliation, the killing will never stop. Jesus has a better way in mind; Christians are, rather, to set the example:

“Love your enemy” (Matthew 5:43-48).

“Bless those who curse you” (Luke 6:28).

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:38-40).

Peter said, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).

Paul said, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
Jesus’ expects his followers to be different because they’re not operating the way this world does, but in God’s way.

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (John 18:36)

Paul said, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world” (2 Corinthians 10:3, 4).

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

If we “resist” or kill an “evil person” the effect is like cutting off the top of a weed without digging out the roots—it will come back. Jesus’ way is to fight the devil instead—to get to the root of the problem with the spiritual “weapons” of prayer and love.

Finally, Jesus told his disciples, “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).

I don’t at all mean to sound harsh but only to convey what Jesus said—if you encourage your children to join the military, don’t be surprised if they die there. Even if they make it back home, they will have died to some degree on the inside. Jesus has called us to a better way--that of following his teachings.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31,32

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