|
Post by Brother Randy on Jul 16, 2005 22:08:11 GMT -5
I guess I would address this to mainly to Bro. Ben. What would your Bible view of nonresistance be, whether it be in every day life, going to law or serving in the military or government. By this I don't mean being a pacifist. But that of Matt 5:24, Luke,6:27-35.1Cor.6:1-8 I know in most Baptist circles this in not a very popular subject. That also of strong patriotic things. Although I am very thankful to live in a country where we still have the freedoms that we do , I don't believe as ambassador's of Christ that this country should come before the Kingdom of God.
|
|
|
Post by Brother Ben on Jul 20, 2005 12:14:50 GMT -5
Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matt. 5:9-12)
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (Matt. 5:38-46)
Father, as I write this let my heart be open to Heaven, remove the tinted lenses of culture from mine eyes, and instead let me see Thy word, and Thy creation from Thy Holy perspective, in Jesus name I pray, Amen and Amen.
As I look at these scriptures I am challenged about the perspective I have had since my boyhood. Most of us, if were raised here in the USA, have been thoroughly indoctrinated into being a good, patriotic American. I have heard from the pulpits of America, across denominational lines, messages or points in messages, equating patriotism with spirituality. I hope to express a view here today that is independent of culture and dependent upon scripture. If we are not careful, we will be practical modernists, just as guilty as those who, for example, deny the virgin birth, because we give ourselves to undo editorial powers and shove the round peg of scripture into the square hole of our culture or society. It is this thinking that cause some to deny the necessity of the head covering or foot washing.
If you carefully examine the above scriptures you will notice there is a kindom of God or heaven (don't get nervous I am dispensational, but not hyper-dispensational.) and a kingdom of men, or of this Earth. When one, by salvation, is placed into the family of God, his citizenship changes and he, like an Earthly citizen, is liable to keep the laws of the land.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Heb. 13-16) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. (Matt. 6:10)
God does not want us to return to a secular, Earthly interpretaion or application of citizenship, He wants us to live, "...in earth, as [it is] in heaven." We are citizen, even ambassadors of heaven, stationed here on Earth for the duration, till we die, or are called away to be in Heaven.
As we think about war, confict, and government participation, it must be understood that our commintment to civil government ends where God's commandment begins. Yes, in the words of Jesus we need to, "...Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's..." but we must also remember that above that, we must, "...[render] unto God the things that are God's." (Matt. 22:21)
The Apostle Paul, in his doctrinal writings for the N.T. church said, "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. (Rom. 12:14) Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:17-21)
Solomon, the wisest man in Earth's history besides the Lord Jesus said, "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:" (Prov. 24:17) and "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:" (Prov. 25:21) You cannot, without hardening your heart, deny that the prvailing command for the believer is that of relaying to a dying world on their way to Hell without Christ, that God loves them, and that He wants us to show that love to them. If I have this guns, guts, and glory attitude we get from patriotic society, I am going to miss the predominate attitude of scripte, being love and bless mine enemies, and leave vengence up to God. If someone does you wrong, let the police deal with them.
What of protection of my home? Again Paul said, " But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." (I Tim. 5:8) Now, I believe this passage goes beyond groceries and a roof over your head. I believe it my responsibility to defend my family from harm. I am not going to stand there while an intruder begins to harm or molest my wife and children. I will strategically place myself in between he and them while they flee for help and safety. I am NOT going to blow him away and send him to Hell. I will not stand by and allow this to happen if I am able to do something about it. I will give him my other cheek, but I will let my family, or loved ones get away. This is the spirit of a peacemaker. Who knows that such love will not cause an intruder to stop and ponder the evil of his way.
A pastor friend shared an experience with me. He went to a college that had a huge inner city bus ministry in Chicago. One day while soul winning they found them selves surrounded by gang members in the infamous Caprini Green housing area. The gang informed them they were going to die. The Christian brother said, "If I am going to die, will you give me one last request?" Impressed with his bold request he said, "Sure, what is it?" The brother began telling he and gang members of the love and sacrifice of Jesus for their sins and of salvation available even for tough guys like them. God in His mercy granted repentence to the gang leader (and I think for some of the members also) and they were saved by the grace of God and in church for baptism Sunday morning.
I know it does not always go that way, but who knows what God will do?
More later.
Bro. Ben
|
|
|
Post by arabianlights on Sept 30, 2006 16:17:36 GMT -5
Bro. Ben, you signed off the last post on this thread "more later". Do you still remember what more you had in mind to post? If so, could you please post it? I know this thread is from quite some time back, but as this is an issue I've pondered a lot, I thought I'd ask.
Thanks, Evie
|
|
|
Post by dragonfly on Nov 13, 2006 23:18:38 GMT -5
This is an issue I have been pondering as well.. my thoughts are with all the wars in the old testament and the coming wars. Isn't there 3 more wars spoken of in the bible prior to Christ return? I confess I haven't studied about the coming wars.
Please expound. I am not on the computer much, but that doesn't signify that It is not an important subject to me, but rather, that I have limited time lately and must prioritize properly.
|
|
|
Post by coveredwife on Nov 14, 2006 18:06:17 GMT -5
I am not exactly sure I understand what was said exactly in the previous posts to this topic, but I felt I had something to say. Maybe it is off topic, as I said I am not exactly sure what I have read and that I fully understand your thoughts on this subject.
First I would like to say that war is often avoidable but not always. As a society we rely mostly on what the press feeds us in these matters which is more often than not only a small portion of the truth. Our military goes to war to protect our rights to freely worship, speak, write, and complain about the government and how it is run. God sent many armies to war for many reasons. Who are we to say that these wars we are fighting are not part of God's plan. If Our Soldiers did not fight in these wars how then would the will of God be fulfilled. I myself, before becoming a mother was a soldier fighting for this country and our rights we hold so dear. My husband who is very strong with the Lord, is also a soldier. He is a soldier for Christ and for the United States Army. He puts his life on the line everyday not just to protect his own family but the families of others. I feel that this is what God has asked of him. We are in a great mission field in the military. We travel the world and are able to witness all over the world and the United States Government pays for it. God is using us in great ways, and all of you can sleep better at night knowing that brave souls like my husband are fighting to keep you safe and free. If I have overstepped or misinterpreted this topic I apologize in advance. I am proud of who I am and what I did and even more proud of my husband for his work. thanks for allowing me this time to say so.
|
|
|
Post by Brother Ben on Nov 16, 2006 8:38:22 GMT -5
God ordains wars on this planet. He sends nations against nations. However, a Christian who has not sought the Lord in regards to whether he (never she) should take a weapon and remove the life of a hell bound sinner, should beware.
Most Christians who join the military have nought prayed, fasted, and sought the full counsel of the word of God regarding their doing so. We are not to be patriots, we are to be Christians.
Let God appoint the armies, let God's people be a people of the word who make informed decisions.
|
|
|
Post by coveredwife on Nov 16, 2006 9:54:36 GMT -5
Maybe I should have said that yes, i was a christian when i was in the army but I did not have the same convictions I do now.As a matter of fact I was not saved until after I joined the Army. I would never be able to serve my country in that way now as dresses and headcoverings would deffinetly not be acceprtable in that line of work, I have children, and a husband as well and I feel that God has led me to be these things. I am thankful however for that time in my life, as if it where not for the Army, I never would have met my wonderful husbandor found Christ. And yes I agree no matter what the occupation, a christian should take it to the Lord in prayer before making that descision. I know my husband did. Prayers and Love, Sister Heather
|
|
|
Post by dragonfly on Nov 16, 2006 15:13:46 GMT -5
If anyof you out there believe in nonresistance, can you please give me verses for it. I am convinced that war is of God. Maybe not all of them, but certainly some of them.
|
|
|
Post by Brother Randy on Nov 16, 2006 23:13:07 GMT -5
D'Ann
Here is a very good tract on non-resistance. Also in the start of this subject Bro Ben gave some good verses too. If one is thinking that being against war and being non-resistant are the same , they are notit goes much farther which is point out in the tract. For myself I do believe in and practice non-resistant daily.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CHRISTIAN AND NONRESISTANCE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Harold S. Martin Nonresistance is a principle taught in the Scriptures. The word "nonresistance" is coined from the words of our Lord, when He said, "But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil, but whosoever smites thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." From the very origin of the Anabaptist Movement, nonresistance was one of the chief pillars of its doctrinal belief. The historian, Robert Proud, says that the Anabaptists "hold it not becoming those who follow Christ, to bear arms or fight, because they say their true Master has forbidden his disciples to resist evil."
Nonresistance is really a result of the doctrine of grace. Certainly those who have become recipients of God's grace in their own lives, should show the same grace toward their fellowmen. God displayed His grace toward us while we were yet sinners. He loved us when we were enemies, and just so we are to love our enemies, and to display grace toward those who persecute us.
The principle of nonresistance must be practiced in times of peace as well as in times of war. The Christian must be careful not to take revenge. The Scriptures teach against retaliation with the tongue, and against suing at the law. The early Christians were commended because they took joyfully "the spoiling of their goods" (Hebrews 10:34). They refused to resist evil; they didn't fight back; they knew that they had a heritage in Heaven that the spoilers couldn't touch.
PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE
Every teaching has some basic principles upon which it is built. We want to name three principles that underlie the doctrine of nonresistance.
(1) The kingdom of Christ is not of this world. There are two kingdoms of men in the world; those who have been regenerated by faith In Jesus Christ, and those who are unregenerate. Jesus says, "My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight" (John 18:36). Christ's kingdom is made up of those who have experienced the saving grace of God in their lives. His kingdom is not supported by armies and maintained by taxes. Rather, it is a kingdom composed of persons who voluntarily believe in Jesus Christ, and seek to become like Him in their daily character and conduct. One who is a member of Christ's kingdom is instructed to bless his persecutors, and to pray for evildoers, and to love his enemies. And if you love a man, you are not going to put a bullet through him, nor ram a bayonet into his body, nor drop bombs on him. The standards of Christ's kingdom are different from the standards of the kingdoms of this world. One who claims to submit to Christ's kingship, will find that the army, the navy and the air force are not for him.
Because Christ's kingdom is not of this world, the early Christians refused to participate in military service. Tertullian says of the legions of the Roman army, "Not a Christian could be found among them." In the early days of Christianity, the Church said, "if they wish to be baptized in the Lord, let them cease from military service, or not be received." The historian, C. J. Cadoux says that no Christian after his conversion "ever thought of enlisting in the army, until nearly two hundred years after Christ." The early Christians recognized that Christ's kingdom is not of this world, and that His standards are much higher than the standards of the world-kingdoms--and therefore nonresistance was believed and practiced by the entire church.
(2) The spirit of Christ is not of this world. Jesus came into a Samaritan village one day and the Bible says that the folks there didn't receive Him. When James and John saw this, they wanted to call fire down from heaven to consume these people. But this was all contrary to the spirit of Christ, and it must have sorely grieved Him. Luke 9:55 says, "But (Jesus) turned and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of, for the Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Taking the lives of human beings is contrary to the spirit of Christ.
General Leslie McNair (in a New York Times article) described the attitudes and the spirit promoted in the armed services. He says, "Our soldiers must have a fighting spirit; if you call that hating enemies, then we must hate with every fiber of our being. We must lust for battle; we must scheme and plan night and day to kill; we must hit harder and harder we must become tougher and tougher; the avowed purpose of the army is to make killers out of every soldier." Can you reconcile such an attitude with the teachings and the spirit of Jesus?
One young man who had been in the army during World War II, tells how one of his buddies in training was kind of softhearted. When they were training, they were to drive their bayonets Into the stomachs of a dummy victim. This fellow was kind of slow and timid about the whole thing, and finally the officer lost his patience, swore at the young fellow, and ordered him to get up in front of that dummy and "cut out his guts." He reminded him that this was war, and not a Sunday School picnic, and that every man in the camp was there to learn how to kill Germans.
It's impossible to have the spirit of Christ within, and at the same time bear arms. The carnal sword and the spirit of Jesus do not point in the same direction.
(3) The methods of Christ are not of this world. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:3, 4, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of out warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." Jesus endured much reviling and persecution when He was here on earth, and yet never once did He use carnal weapons for defense. And the same thing can be said for true Christians down through the centuries. They have won their battles by using the breastplate of righteousness, and the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
The Christian doesn't use carnal weapons, but this does not mean that he is helpless in the face of evil and unrighteousness. Take the weapon of prayer for example. When (during the persecutions of the early church) Peter was cast into prison, the Bible says, "Prayer was made without ceasing, of the Church, unto God for him" (Acts 12:5). The people prayed. Here the power of prayer was pitted against the power of the armed might of the Roman Empire-and those who prayed won the battle! The iron gate opened, and Peter was set free. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.
Another powerful weapon used by the believer, is the practice of deeds of kindness. Jesus says, "Do good unto them that hate you." Paul puts it this way: "if your enemy hunger, feed him." We have a beautiful illustration of the victory of kindness over evil in 2 Kings 6. The Syrian army had been delivered into the hands of Israel through the intervention of the prophet Elisha. And when the king of Israel saw that the enemy had been delivered into his hand, he said to Elisha, "Shall I smite them?" And he said again, a second time, "Shall I smite them?" This may have been the most natural course of action, but Elisha said, "Thou shalt not smite them, (but) set bread and water before them that they may eat and drink, and go to their master." Elisha said, "Feed them and let them go." Show them kindness, he said. And that's what the king of Israel did. And you know, there's an interesting postscript to this story: 2 Kings 6:23 says, "So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel."
The Christian's weapons are spiritual. He conquers with the power of the Cross. Menno Simons used to say, "Our fortress is Christ, our sword is the Word of God, out victory is faith in the Almighty. We let swords of iron and steel to those who consider human blood equal to swine's blood." The Christian has spiritual weapons.
These have been principles upon which the doctrine of nonresistance is based. The kingdom of Christ, the spirit of Christ and the methods of Christ are not of this world.
2. PROBLEMS OF THE DOCTRINE
Most every doctrine carries with it some related matters that seem to be problems. We want to look primarily at the problem of Israel's practice in Old Testament days. The Old Testament frequently tells about the wars of Israel, and many of these wars were authorized and commanded by God. It's hard for the Christian to reconcile this with the command to "resist not evil" in the New Testament. Jesus said the Scriptures cannot be broken, and they do not contradict themselves, and so the problem seems to be very real.
There are at least three things we must remember here:
[1) Israel was a nation of this world, while the Church is a spiritual nation not of this world. Israel was a nation just like any other nation, except that God had chosen her for a special purpose. The Israelites lived in a particular location on earth; they had boundaries to their possessions; they maintained a government, with a capital city, a throne, a king, and a royal family. And to maintain this nation in the land, God permitted the use of force. But the Church is not such a nation. The Church is a people called out of darkness into the light of the Gospel, from every land and every nation. There's no particular geographical location; there are no boundaries to maintain; there's no capital city; there's no regal throne. Israel was a nation; the Church is not such a nation.
(2) Israel was not a regenerated people, while the Church is composed of those who are regenerate. Romans 8:3, 4 says, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son In the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Israel could not perform the righteousness of the law, for she walked after the flesh. But Christians have been regenerated, and thus are equipped for a new kind of life, and they are called upon to follow a much higher standard than the Old Testament law.
(3) Israel operated under the dispensation of law, while the Church is living during the dispensation of grace. Jesus says, "Ye have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, but I say unto you, that ye resist not evil, but if any man shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." This is an extension that Christ Himself made. He participated in giving the Old Testament law, and certainly He has the right to broaden it. Someone says, "But God never changes, and if God doesn't change, then He can't approve war in the Old Testament, and condemn it in the New Testament." But this is a faulty argument. It's true that God's character never changes, but His methods do change from time to time, from age to age, from dispensation to dispensation. The relationship between the Old and New Testaments is a study that requires take here, but remember that the more space than we will truths of the Old Testament receive a new and deeper significance in the New Testament, in light of Calvary and Pentecost. The New Testament is the Christian's final authority for faith and conduct. If we are to have a true understanding of the will of God, we must always accept the New Testament interpretation of the Old Testament.
Some folks have a problem accepting the doctrine of nonresistance, however, because of a few statements Jesus made, as recorded in the New Testament.
Jesus said, for example, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword." But here the context clearly shows that the word "sword" is a figurative word, which indicates the division and persecution and misunderstanding that will arise in families and communities when there are those members of the family or community who follow Jesus. The parallel reference in Luke 12:51 says, "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you nay, but rather division; for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided; three against two, and two against three." Sometimes Christians will find even members of their own families turning against them.
In another place, Jesus says "He that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip. And he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one" (Luke 22:36). Jesus spoke these words just before He went into the Garden to pray. And just a little later, when the crowd had gathered to take Jesus, Peter used the sword. He smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his ear. But Jesus rebuked him for using the sword, and then He said to him, "All that take the sword shall perish by it." And then Jesus graciously restored the servant's ear. Whatever else Jesus meant by the words, "He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one," He certainly did not mean that the disciples were free to injure others with the sword. A dagger such as the disciples carried, was often used to cut wood and to slay animals for food.
There are other problems associated with the doctrine of nonresistance, but the basic principles upon which the doctrine is built, are clear. Each one of the problems that sometimes is associated with the doctrine, is really only a seeming contradiction.
3. PROTECTIONS FOR THE DOCTRINE
There are always some who try and make a teaching mean something that it was never intended to mean. For the purpose of safeguarding the doctrine of nonresistance, several things should be pointed out.
(1) War is permitted for civil government. Jesus said, "if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight" (John 18:36) Jesus recognized that the very nature of the kingdoms of this world, demands that they be defended with armed might. The hardness and greed of unconverted human hearts, sometimes seem to understand nothing but the language of force. The sons of God can live a life of love for their enemies, but the sons of men are living under the rule of Satan, and are governed by the law of force. Paul says of the state official (in Romans 13), "He beareth not the sword in vain; for he is a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." The masses of this world will not allow God's Word to control their lives, and therefore they must be held in control by the sword. The state has the authority to punish; it has the right to carry the sword; if there had been no civil authority, only anarchy and chaos would exist, because of the wickedness of human hearts. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament recognize the authority of the state to maintain order by the use of force. And because we recognize this permission in the Scriptures (for governments to use the sword) we cannot (according to modern use of the term) be called "pacifists." Pacifism covers many types of opposition to warfare. It is Satan's counterfeit for the doctrine of nonresistance. True Christians have never advocated the doctrines of present day pacifism. The pacifist aims to establish a better world by eliminating war; he attempts to bring peace and harmony among the unregenerate nations of earth, by working through political influence; his primary mistake lay in the fact that he believes in the innate goodness of man. One pacifist group told John F. Kennedy, "We believe there is a divine power in man, that can save the world from war and destruction." But this contradicts the teaching of our Lord when he says, "For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed murders and wickedness" (Mark 7:20).
The peace-emphasis promoted by most leaders within the churches of America today, is not the doctrine of nonresistance taught in the Bible. Nonresistance describes the faith and life of those who accept the Scriptures as the revealed will of God, and who cannot participate in warfare because their Lord forbids it. He teaches the law of love. Pacifism, on the other hand, is something different. Roland Bainton says that modern pacifism (as promoted by most civil and religious leaders today), is not based so much on Christian principles, as it is on a mere desire for survival. Many of our leaders object to war, not because of loyalty to Christ and the Scriptures, but because they have a fear of death and destruction in this awful atomic age.
(2) Wars will continue until the end. The Bible does not teach that a time will come during this age, when wars will cease. Daniel 9:26 says literally, "Even unto the time of the end, wars and desolations are determined." Jesus, when describing the closing days of this age, says there shall be "wars and rumors of wars". In the closing days of this age, the armies of the world, under the leadership of the Antichrist, will march against Jerusalem for one final burst of rage against God and His people, and there they shall utterly perish (Joel 3:9-12). The Bible teaches that the nations of the world will be universally armed (not disarmed), as we approach the close of this age.
Our early Anabaptist forefathers were not optimistic about the prospects of peace for this age. Harold S. Bender says that they "saw the whole of history (from the fall of the first Adam, down to the Second Coming of Christ), as a great battle between God and His enemies. There was no humanistic vision of getting rid of war in history." The Christian does not expect that economic justice and political cooperation are going to be ushered in by efforts of unrighteous men. Our hope for changing the world, lies in the coming of Christ, who will "judge among the nations," and usher in a kingdom of peace. In the meantime, the Christian obeys his government, pays his taxes, and respects governmental leaders. And only if the government expressly commands us to do that which God has forbidden, only then do we follow the example of Peter and John, when they said, "We ought to obey God rather than men."
War is a terrible thing. One of the survivors of the atomic blast at Hiroshima describes what she saw. She says, "All the houses were demolished; the crumbled walls stretched for many, many miles; people rushed out from the center of impact; their bodies were burned; their skin was hanging down like tags; their faces were swollen to twice their normal size; people were crying aloud with pain." She says, "I saw someone walking, dragging something along. To my surprise it was his own intestines. His stomach was ripped open, and he was dragging it along as he walked without knowing what he was doing." She continues, "My oldest daughter had only two slight wounds, but a month after the bombing, she died from radiation." A soldier who witnessed the air raids in Germany says he saw people coming out of their shelters---insane, wandering about, running away, not knowing where to go. Thousands were killed. Still others died of disease and cold and starvation." No one can ever measure the suffering and misery and heartaches that have resulted from war. And on the Judgment Day, God will hardly look down upon the soldier's bloody hands, and say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
To serve as a conscientious objector to war may bring ridicule from friends, but one who practices nonresistance in life, can stand before God with clean hands, unstained by human blood. And always remember that "a conscience void of offense before God and man," is a greater reward than any human decoration ever offered for bravery on the battlefield. Be grateful to God if your government has provided for alternative service of a constructive nature.
Bro Randy
|
|
|
Post by Brother Ben on Dec 19, 2006 8:55:07 GMT -5
There is nothing wrong with being thankful for our country, praying for our country, and respecting the laws of our land, however, we must remember, our citizenship is in heaven.
I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb
I have heard how Christians long ago Were brought before a tyrant's throne And they were told that he would spare their lives If they would renounce the name of Christ But one by one they chose to die The Son of God they would not deny Like a great angelic choir sings I can almost hear their voices ring
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb With all my strength With all I am I will seek to honor His commands I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
Now the years have come and the years have gone But the cause of Jesus still goes on And now our time has come to count the cost To reject this world, to embrace the cross And one by one let us live our lives For the One who died to give us life Till the trumpet sounds on the final day Let us proudly stand and boldly say
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb With all my strength With all I am I will seek to honor His commands I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
To the Lamb of God who bore my pain Who took my place, who wore my shame I will seek to honor His commands I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
|
|
|
Post by benshelpmeet on Dec 20, 2006 14:52:13 GMT -5
I Pledge Allegiance to the LambI pledge allegiance to the Lamb With all my strength With all I am I will seek to honor His commands I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
And now our time has come to count the cost To reject this world, to embrace the cross And one by one let us live our lives For the One who died to give us life Till the trumpet sounds on the final day
The Lamb of God who bore my pain Who took my place, who wore my shame I will seek to honor His commands I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
I wish every christian would sell out to Christ!
|
|