The Bible And War 2

WE must remember however that God is in ultimate control.

How should we then respond?

V. HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS RESPOND?

A. Protest?

Can we Biblically support conscientious objection to war?

It is possible, but only if we are willing to be honest and apply the principles across the board.

The assertion that the ground is on the basis that Jesus was a passifist will not hold water viewed from the broadened picture of Jesus presented in Revelation.

If we protest on the grounds that God is able and will take care of me and by faith, I will trust Him alone not the government to protect me.

The principle must then be honestly applied to all areas of my life.

I must also protest personal intervention against evil?

I must also protest neighborhood intervention against evil?

I must also protest police intervention against evil?

Our intervention against evil aggression as one among many nation is the same principle on a national scale.

If we protest on the national level, we must be willing to carry through on those convictions on the personal level.

We can long for peace, and pray for peace but when our government is engaged in aggression intervention we ought not protest but thank God we are carrying out a God given-directive.

B. Paranoia?

Another possible reaction is fear. Is there reason to fear? Is this the end? Should I sell everything and move to the mountains?

God never indicates that we should live in terror as Christians for we have the only reality and hope to offer those paralyzed by paranoia.

Remember, God is in the drivers seat.

He is not pulling out his hair and wringing his hands over world events.

Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. Isa 40:15

Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. Isa 40:17

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. "To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Isa 40:25

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. Act 17:27