War And The Bible 1

Chico Alliance Church

WAR AND THE BIBLE

INTRODUCTION

Will God appear in response to our summons and intervene in what is taking place in the Middle East?

There is much confused and emotional debate concerning this international crisis.

There are those violently opposing violence.

There are those who advocate annihilation of all Arabs on both the middle EAST and western shores.

Who is right? Are there any right answers?

The Bible does not directly address this Desert Storm directly.

But are there principles that could help develop a Divine perspective on the situation?

In the coming weeks I hope to give provide not my opinions but perspective from the Bible that will help answer some of the major questions that seem to be surfacing these days.

Why is there War?

What is God’s perspective?

What is God’s purpose concerning war?

Is there such thing as a noble war, or just war?

Should the United States have even become involved?

Is this crises part of a judgment upon the United States as well as Hussein?

How should we as Christians respond?

Can we Biblically as well as conscientiously object to war and violence?

How should I pray concerning the war?

Why am I afraid and what can I do about it?

What if I should be called to participate?

How should I be supporting my government’s position on the war?

Is this the beginning of the end?

How does Iraq fit into the Biblical past and the prophetic future?

These are just some of the issues we hope to briefly address in the coming week or weeks.

Be honest enough to let the Bible bring a divine perspective on our world.

It is only when we seek to approach current events in light of Biblical truth that we will arrive at a divine perspective.

I. WHY IS THERE WAR?

The dictionary defines war as a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism; a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end.

The Biblical term employed to describe such conflict are similar. Strife, conflict, battle, fight.

When we use the word war, we usually use it in reference to a conflict on a larger scale between nations or tribes or between people groups.

The basic issues are the same, the extent and methods vary.

James explains clearly the source and just why there is war on this earth and why there will always be war.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. Jam 4:1-2

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. Jam 3:16

The foundation of all war and fighting relates to selfish ambition. Man has inherited from Adam a insatiable desire to have.

The legitimate need for acceptance now must control and manipulate.

The legitimate need for worth seeks fulfillment in things.

The legitimate capacity for pleasure seeks fulfillment in sensuality.

When these needs are blocked or go unfulfilled war breaks out.

James says, "you don’t get your desires meet you kill and covet."

The more powerful the person the broader and more devastating the conflict.

We have examples from the old feuding families to Sadaam Hussein today.

These desires demand attention. Their demands defy our conscience. There results a never ending battle within.

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 1Pe 2:11

Right from the beginning family this has been the cause.

Cain and Abel

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. Heb 11:4

But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let’s go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Gen 4:8