It appears that many feel it ok for Christians to participate in war. What does the Bible really teach, here are my notes if you are interested: Lets look at some scriptures in the NT to see if they support a Christian to participate in war. To support war some use Romans Chap 13:1-7 and Mat. 22:21, these are good scriptures to indicate that you should, although this makes one wonder why no Christian is recorded as having done so, maybe because the latter half of v21 says “but God’s things to God.” Consider too when the Jewish high court ordered the apostles to violate God’s law the apostles replied “We must obey God as ruler rather than man“ (Acts 5:29). The account in Romans and the account in Luke 22 are the only places that appear to support war, consider however that they may have been taken out of context when used in the way to support war.
Now we’ll examine some more direct scriptures from Jesus and the apostles relating to war and enemies in general. We have all heard of the golden rule, some may not know this is a teaching of Jesus found at Mat. 7:12 which states:12 “All things, therefore, that YOU want men to do to YOU, YOU also must likewise do to them; this, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean.” Jesus did not say, do unto others as they do to you, but as you would like them to do to you. Granted this truly can be hard in today’s society, but remember if you want to be a Christian then you must obey scripture.
Jesus said of enemies: Matthew 5:43-47 “YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; 45 that YOU may prove yourselves sons of YOUR Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. 46 For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing?
Jesus, our “model for you to follow his steps closely” (1 Pet. 2:21) did not participate in war although he said that a Christian would have enemies, clearly telling us how he wanted us to treat our enemies.
The apostle Paul wrote at: Romans 12:17-21 Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, as far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.” 20 But, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.” 21 Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good. Paul realized that throughout the history of God’s people and all the conflicts they had been in did nothing to relinquish war. He new man kinds only hope to end war was with Jehovah. It might be noted here too that Jehovah hates war, and will bring it to an end: Psalm 46:9 He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. How will He accomplish this? Read at Isaiah 34:2: For Jehovah has indignation against all the nations, and rage against all their army. He must devote them to destruction; he must give them to the slaughter. By destroying the nations and their armies at Armageddon, is how Jehovah will end war.
To contrast Christians with others a couple of scriptures come to mind, first lets look at John 13:34,35: 34 I am giving YOU a new commandment, that YOU love one another; just as I have loved YOU, that YOU also love one another. 35 By this all will know that YOU are my disciples, if YOU have love among yourselves. Did you notice how Christians would be identified, by the love they have among themselves. How does this play in with those who claim to be Christian, but kill their brothers in other lands?
Can this be justified? Notice to at: Galatians 6:10 Really, then, as long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to [us] in the faith. Does this fit in to killing our brothers in other lands? Jesus said: Matthew 7:15-16 “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits YOU will recognize them. These that appear to be Godlike but prove false to its power (2 Tim. 3:5) can be identified by their “fruits“, that is the things they do. What fruits would identify Christians?: Galatians 5:19-23 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, 20 idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, 21 envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. As to these things I am forewarning YOU, the same way as I did forewarn YOU, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom. 22 On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. The contrast here is easy to see; to those who are not true Christians fits of anger, contentions, divisions, things that are prevalent in war. Real Christians however display the fruitages of the spirit, there’s no room here for a Christian to engage in war.
Now lets get more direct into conflicts it says at: Ephesians 6:13-17
On this account take up the complete suit of armor from God, that YOU may be able to resist in the wicked day and, after YOU have done all things thoroughly, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm, therefore, with YOUR loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and with YOUR feet shod with the equipment of the good news of peace. 16 Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which YOU will be able to quench all the wicked one’s burning missiles. 17 Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word.
Here the Bible pointed out the weapons a Christian would have, not the incomplete, but the complete suit of armor from God, no room for aggression here. Another scripture showing Christians will not fight: 2 Tim. 2:23-26 Further, turn down foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing they produce fights. 24 But a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, keeping himself restrained under evil, 25 instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed; as perhaps God may give them repentance leading to an accurate knowledge of truth, 26 and they may come back to their proper senses out from the snare of the Devil, seeing that they have been caught alive by him for the will of that one.
There is one more point to consider; if you believe that we are living in the last days as many do, then true Christians would be “walking in God’s Paths” and “beating their swords into plowshares” Isa. 2:4. Also if it is the last days then satan and his hoards have “been going forth to the kings of the entire earth to gather them together” to battle God. Rev. 16:14 Sure wouldn’t want to be in the military then!
Now we’ll examine some more direct scriptures from Jesus and the apostles relating to war and enemies in general. We have all heard of the golden rule, some may not know this is a teaching of Jesus found at Mat. 7:12 which states:12 “All things, therefore, that YOU want men to do to YOU, YOU also must likewise do to them; this, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean.” Jesus did not say, do unto others as they do to you, but as you would like them to do to you. Granted this truly can be hard in today’s society, but remember if you want to be a Christian then you must obey scripture.
Jesus said of enemies: Matthew 5:43-47 “YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; 45 that YOU may prove yourselves sons of YOUR Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. 46 For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing?
Jesus, our “model for you to follow his steps closely” (1 Pet. 2:21) did not participate in war although he said that a Christian would have enemies, clearly telling us how he wanted us to treat our enemies.
The apostle Paul wrote at: Romans 12:17-21 Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, as far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.” 20 But, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.” 21 Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good. Paul realized that throughout the history of God’s people and all the conflicts they had been in did nothing to relinquish war. He new man kinds only hope to end war was with Jehovah. It might be noted here too that Jehovah hates war, and will bring it to an end: Psalm 46:9 He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. How will He accomplish this? Read at Isaiah 34:2: For Jehovah has indignation against all the nations, and rage against all their army. He must devote them to destruction; he must give them to the slaughter. By destroying the nations and their armies at Armageddon, is how Jehovah will end war.
To contrast Christians with others a couple of scriptures come to mind, first lets look at John 13:34,35: 34 I am giving YOU a new commandment, that YOU love one another; just as I have loved YOU, that YOU also love one another. 35 By this all will know that YOU are my disciples, if YOU have love among yourselves. Did you notice how Christians would be identified, by the love they have among themselves. How does this play in with those who claim to be Christian, but kill their brothers in other lands?
Can this be justified? Notice to at: Galatians 6:10 Really, then, as long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to [us] in the faith. Does this fit in to killing our brothers in other lands? Jesus said: Matthew 7:15-16 “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits YOU will recognize them. These that appear to be Godlike but prove false to its power (2 Tim. 3:5) can be identified by their “fruits“, that is the things they do. What fruits would identify Christians?: Galatians 5:19-23 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, 20 idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, 21 envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. As to these things I am forewarning YOU, the same way as I did forewarn YOU, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom. 22 On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. The contrast here is easy to see; to those who are not true Christians fits of anger, contentions, divisions, things that are prevalent in war. Real Christians however display the fruitages of the spirit, there’s no room here for a Christian to engage in war.
Now lets get more direct into conflicts it says at: Ephesians 6:13-17
On this account take up the complete suit of armor from God, that YOU may be able to resist in the wicked day and, after YOU have done all things thoroughly, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm, therefore, with YOUR loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and with YOUR feet shod with the equipment of the good news of peace. 16 Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which YOU will be able to quench all the wicked one’s burning missiles. 17 Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word.
Here the Bible pointed out the weapons a Christian would have, not the incomplete, but the complete suit of armor from God, no room for aggression here. Another scripture showing Christians will not fight: 2 Tim. 2:23-26 Further, turn down foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing they produce fights. 24 But a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, keeping himself restrained under evil, 25 instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed; as perhaps God may give them repentance leading to an accurate knowledge of truth, 26 and they may come back to their proper senses out from the snare of the Devil, seeing that they have been caught alive by him for the will of that one.
There is one more point to consider; if you believe that we are living in the last days as many do, then true Christians would be “walking in God’s Paths” and “beating their swords into plowshares” Isa. 2:4. Also if it is the last days then satan and his hoards have “been going forth to the kings of the entire earth to gather them together” to battle God. Rev. 16:14 Sure wouldn’t want to be in the military then!