I realize that there is the argument that I have heard from a lot of folks- How can a country of mostly Christians be self-sustaining if Christians do not go to war/join the military?
However, I want you to take the time to actually examine that argument. It doesn't seem biblical. Perhaps in an Old Testament sense but not in the New. The New Testament concept of faith is not very well self-sustaining. It mostly amounts to relying on God. Christianity should have (by no worldly means) been perpetuated considering the many martyrdoms, imprisonments, and such.
Even take into consideration evangelism. A lot of folks want to take things into their own hands in order to increase the numbers of converts...but we can't...that's God's job. Our only job is to preach the word, plant the seed, and water. It is God who gives the increase.
If we start relying on ourselves so much we are only a step away from saying: "Martyrdom is for cowards." two steps away from saying: "We need to defend the Christian faith with the sword. Heretics will not be permitted to live". And three steps from saying: "God who? Oh you mean me?"
dear brother ecclesiastik.
matthew 26:51-52
[SUP]51 [/SUP]And, behold,
one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword,
and struck a servant of the high priest's,
and smote off his ear.
[SUP]52 [/SUP]Then said Jesus unto him,
Put up again thy sword into his place:
for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
mark 14:47
[SUP]47 [/SUP]And
one of them that stood by drew a sword,
and smote a servant of the high priest,
and cut off his ear.
luke 22:49-51
[SUP]49 [/SUP]When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him,
Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
[SUP]50 [/SUP]And
one of them smote the servant of the high priest,
and cut off his right ear.
[SUP]51 [/SUP]And
Jesus answered and said,
Suffer ye thus far.
And he touched his ear, and healed him.
john 18:10-11
[SUP]10 [/SUP]Then
Simon Peter having a sword drew it,
and smote the high priest's servant,
and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
[SUP]11 [/SUP]Then
said Jesus unto Peter,
Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink
it?
if war and killing is from god then our lord jesus christ is defying his father in stating those who pick up the sword shall die by it.
not only that we see in luke 22:49 up above we see that they even asked shall we attack them with our swords.
yet our lord jesus christ stated no by addressing it with a statement of holy truth by saying that those who fight and hurt and kill shall in return die in vain as well.
our lord jesus christ went further by showing this by healing the man whose ear was cut off.
why... because our lord jesus christ didn't approve of the actions of strife and it goes against god.
quote all the old testament that you want for it will never add up to god's true plan.
ask yourself this... in god's holy perfect kingdom... shall there be war?
did god ever plan war in creation? and did the animals themselves war against each other?
no... never... this is god's perfect holy divine plan.
but thanks to the fall we now war and do that which god never planned.
yet didn't our lord jesus christ death return us back to the beginnings?
us being dead to the world and ourselves? and dead to all that is here for this isn't our home.
i don't have anything against the soldiers and i pray dearly for each and everyone... and safe returns... but this is war and not all shall return.
how is this god's plan for us to kill and war?
god bless