Onward, Christian Soldiers

This is a special message to all who are in the body of Christ.

For the past week I’ve been blogging about the war and its atrocities. But as a witness to unbelievers and for the edification of believers, these matters must be put into a biblical context.

I don’t know about you, but in spite of everything that’s happened to this country in the last two weeks, I’m praising God this morning! I’m secure in the knowledge that He is in control, and nothing will frustrate His divine purpose.

Some commenters on this blog have either implied or said straight out that because Christ told us to love our enemies, it is inconsistent with His teachings for Christians to support the war in Iraq (or war in general). This may have been true before the Fall, but as I stated before, war is a consequence of sin. If you want to get rid of war and “give peace a chance”, you have to rid the world of sin.

To determine whether Jesus’ teachings are inconsistent with war, we must let the Bible speak for itself. Philosophical arguments and Scripture stripped from its context do not get to the heart of the matter.

The Bible makes distinctions between individual moral responsibility and governmental responsibility. To believers Christ says, “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also….Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” The Sermon on the Mount, from which these words come, is a presentation of Christian discipleship, not a call to pacifism. Jesus was referring to our individual persecution as believers. We’re to pray for those who mock or harass us for our beliefs, but we are not prohibited from defending ourselves or others against the threat of robbers, rapists, murderers, etc., as permitted by law.

This is also clearly evident when He tells us that a man has no greater love than to lay down his life for a friend. The laying down of one’s life implies defending that friend against attack, which may result in our death.

When it comes to governmental responsibility, we read about the role and purpose of government in Romans 13:

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. (3-5)

Our government has a God-given responsibility to protect us from attack, including warring with our enemies if need be. This does not negate individual Christians’ God-given responsibility to pray for evil-doers. Defending the innocent against evil is not inconsistent with Christ’s teachings.

Why must these things be? Rest assured that one day we will know the why of all things. As you read headline after sad headline, remember that Satan is a defeated foe. For God’s own purpose, the evil one is allowed to roam the earth wreaking havoc until the King returns to cast him and his minions into the pit of hell. Christ says, “[W]hen you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is not yet.” (Mark 13:7)

The end is not yet. It will get worse before it gets better. With a follower of Christ sitting in the White House, Satan is working overtime, and it may be God’s will that George Bush is defeated in November. God is awesome and will remain so no matter who our next leader will be.

The culmination of world events — the threat of Islamofascism, rampant sexual perversion, murders committed with glee — is not coincidental. God’s purpose will be revealed, and we know He has sovereignly decreed all things for His glory, though our finite minds cannot fully grasp this infinite concept.

Here is wisdom: When Christ returns, all who “sleep” will be resurrected, some to eternal life with Christ, others to eternal damnation in hell, so that “[A]t the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11) Every creature will acknowledge the Lordship of Christ!

If there is someone reading this blog who doesn’t know Christ, I implore you to heed the warning. You will know Him sooner or later. Right now, you are under God’s wrath. Despite your unbelief, rebellion and hostility toward Jesus Christ, there will be a reckoning for your rebellion.

But our glorious Father in heaven has provided a way to avoid that reckoning through His Son Jesus. Our sin separates us from God, but believing on His Son and trusting Him alone for salvation provides an escape from the eternal damnation we deserve. Confess your sinfulness and unworthiness before God, ask His forgiveness and accept that Christ paid for your sins as He hung on that cross. If you want more information or wish to contact me privately, e-mail me at ***.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.”