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So I did look up the word Patriot and this is what Webster's Dictionary came up with:Were the first century Christians patriotic?
Or did they consider themselves to be citizens and ambassadors of a heavenly kingdom?
They were instructed to pray for those in authority and submit to the laws of the land, when those laws did not violate their primary duty to God.
But they refused to burn incense to the Emperor or to proclaim “Caesar is Lord”.
Early Christian writings, like the anonymous Letter to Diognetus (c. 2nd century), described believers as living in their respective homelands as if they were foreigners.They were Patriotic and Also Ambassadors to the Kingdom.
We have no Emperor nor Ceasar in the United States of America.
We do have someone who is willing to guide this country, One Nation Under God, Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All.
I know of no other Country on this Earth that follows within those laws, which I believe do not conflict with God's laws.
What do you think?
I don't suppose too many countries would have felt comfortable having converted Jews and Greeks in their military.Early Christian writings, like the anonymous Letter to Diognetus (c. 2nd century), described believers as living in their respective homelands as if they were foreigners.
They participated in local society, but maintained a distinct, counter-cultural community. They refused to serve in the military or police forces, due to their opposition to using lethal weapons.
In the age of grace, we would rather die as a martyr, than kill as a warrior. A martyr is someone who wants to live, but will not kill his enemies to avoid being killed by them.What do you do with Michael and his Angels who fought the Dragon and his angels?
What do you do with, There was War in Heaven?
Do we just allow the darkness to win?
So how can we not fight to hold on to what we have until the final battle?
God has provided authorities to protect the good and punish the evil.Thank You @Anchorite
What should we do about Police?
What if they need to shoot a criminal?
Does that mean they are not a Christian?
Hugs
Yes, and those same authorities, are they not soldiers, police, firefighters,God has provided authorities to protect the good and punish the evil.
A Christian must decide if they want a job where they carry lethal weapons and might need to kill someone.
Romans 13:3,4
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Each Christian has to decide if it is God’s will that he kill people.Yes, and those same authorities, are they not soldiers, police, firefighters,
people who are set for the defense of other people?
We do not go to war with those who do good, we go to war to defend our allies from evil.
I know it hasn't always been so, and a lot of times we have been the ones seeking conquest and taking what is not ours.
But there are times that you have to be the "bad guy" in their eyes.
WW2, The US went to War with Our allies to defeat an enemy hellbent on taking over the world.
Were all those who fought to defend freedom, unchristian?
Would you go to the tomb of the unknown and declare that because he fought for peace that he was not a Christian?
And who is to judge who is and who isn't?
Our spiritual warfare is with the things of the heart and of the mind, and who we follow.Each Christian has to decide if it is God’s will that he kill people.
2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.
Globalism pits the one world government against sovereign nations and the individual.Our spiritual warfare is with the things of the heart and of the mind, and who we follow.
We do not seek to kill, we seek peace.
But you can not have peace without rooting out evil, in our own selves (spiritual) and in the world.
Anchorutes ideology is so profound that they have said,no matter what violence threatens themselves or their family,they will not fight back.Yes, and those same authorities, are they not soldiers, police, firefighters,
people who are set for the defense of other people?
We do not go to war with those who do good, we go to war to defend our allies from evil.
I know it hasn't always been so, and a lot of times we have been the ones seeking conquest and taking what is not ours.
But there are times that you have to be the "bad guy" in their eyes.
WW2, The US went to War with Our allies to defeat an enemy hellbent on taking over the world.
Were all those who fought to defend freedom, unchristian?
Would you go to the tomb of the unknown and declare that because he fought for peace that he was not a Christian?
And who is to judge who is and who isn't?
Hugs