of God’s governmental law has led to a great crime wave in our own country in recent years. Through out the world today human life is cheap; the mur derer too often escapes justice, whereas in his exe cution he makes known the enormity of murder and the value of human life. W hat , T hen S hall T he C hristian D o A bout W ar and C ivil G overnment ? Some will ask, “How does all this affect the Christian’s attitude toward war?” They go to the extreme of claiming that the Christian should hold no public office, should not even vote in elections, should have nothing whatsoever to do with “ the powers that be,” should not fight when his country goes to war. “ Conscientious objectors,” they are called. From the Scriptures we have quoted, and from many others of like nature, we believe that those who will not loyally and faithfully support their governments are misinterpreting the plain teach ing of the Word of God. It is true that “ our citizen ship is in heaven.” Meanwhile, God has entrusted us with earthly responsibilities, during our pil grimage here. Shall we dismiss all our policemen, all our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen from duty? Shall we let the thief and the murderer and the blood-thirsty dictator kill our mothers and wives and children, rob our homes, and steal our property? Shall we stand idly by while cruel in justice is wreaked upon suffering humanity—when atheist Communism sweeps over the world—and yet call ourselves by the name of Him whose own Holy Spirit said that the civil ruler “beareth not the sword in vain” ? No; the Bible does not teach that a Christian should never go to war. On the contrary, it teaches us that we are to defend our homes, our country, our loved ones, in order that we may worship God according to the dictates of our conscience, in order that there may be “ life and liberty for all.” We do not expect to usher in the millennium by being “good soldiers.” We know that only the Lord Jesus Himself can and will do that when He comes in power and great glory. But we are to defend the cause of righteousness with every ounce o f our energy and service, with our money and with our prayers. To stand idly by and let others do all the defending is inconsistent. Either we should have policemen and soldiers and sailors and marines and airmen, or we should not. If we are to enjoy the security they provide us, under God, then surely we would not let them go into all the dangers! Suppose, my friend, as you were walking down the street, you should see a group of bandits snatch your wife and children, and begin to beat them. What would you do? Stand by and say to yourself, “ Avenge not yourselves. . ' . . ? ” No, I think not! Yet there is no fundamental difference between
the behaviour of bandits and that of outlaw na tions. A man would be a miserable coward not to protect and defend his wife and children. A man or a nation is cowardly who stands by and does nothing to defend helpless peoples against a bandit nation as in this present war. After all, there is no fundamental difference between the duties of a policeman and those o f a soldier. The former deals with internal enemies; the latter, with external enemies. Both use force when necessary. I dare say there is not a single “ conscientious objector” who would consent to our dismissing all our police force. I have no patience with the draft-card burners, and the rabble-rous ers who are not interested in right or wrong and whose actions in many instances are treasonous and dangerous. Cornelius was a godly man, in whose house the Holy Spirit first came upon the Gentiles. He was a centurion, that is, a Roman soldier with one hun dred men under his charge. Peter did not tell him to give up his commission as a Roman officer. (See Acts 10:1-48.) If a Christian fighting for the life and liberty of his country is out of the will of God, and should not take part in civil government, then why did the Lord Jesus have a good word to say about the cen turion who sought healing for his servant? Christ did not tell that soldier to leave the army, but He did say to His disciples concerning him, “Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” (Matt. 8:10; Luke 7:9). The Lord, in these words, declared that the cen turion had even greater faith than the disciples! He did not take issue with the man because he was a soldier! The Pilgrim Fathers came to this country, in order that they might worship God in freedom and righteousness. Who would dare say that they and their sons and daughters were un-Christian in fighting for their independence? War is, indeed, a terrible thing! It is cruel and Satanic and merci less. But when it is forced upon us, by no choice of our own, then there is nothing for us, as Chris tians, to do but fight for life and liberty and the protection of kindred and country. To enjoy the blessings of a free nation, yet to have no part in making these blessings of security possible, is to be selfish and misguided, to say the least. May God hasten the day when “wars and ru mours of wars” shall cease! May He come quickly to reign in righteousness over a purified earth! Meanwhile, “ till He comes,” may we, not only “ live at peace with all men” in our personal rela tionships, insofar as it is possible, but may we also uphold the hands of those civil powers which are “ ordained of God” to maintain order and peace in a world filled with cruel, wicked men. This, we believe, is God’s will for the Christian. EE
MAY, 1968
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