In the March 2005 issue of The Christian we considered the reelection of George W. Bush, including some remarks on the implications of a professed Christian holding political office. Now another related issue is surfacing in the news, namely, how soldiers can keep faith while under fire in war. While the issue may involve mainly the United States at the moment, the question is relevant for any individual or nation that engages in war today.
God’s Government in the Old Testament
The controversy is not new, for the question of God and war has been debated since the fall of man. In the Old Testament, God was laying claim to the earth through His chosen people Israel, and He used them as His arm of power against other nations. This was particularly true in their conquest of the land of Canaan, for the “iniquity of the Amorites” and the Canaanites’ worship of idols caused the Lord to drive them out and give their land to Israel. Later, after Israel themselves had failed, God raised up Gentile powers (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome) as His government in the earth. The “times of the Gentiles” that were ushered in with Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians continue to this day and will not cease until the battle of Armageddon.
Thus we see clearly that the governments that God instituted in the world after the flood are here with us today. Because God set them up, He expects them to carry out their functions in His fear and holds them accountable for the way in which they do it. Sadly, war has been a factor for thousands of years in man’s administration in this world, and governments have continually used armed conflict either to increase their power or to protect their positions. Some nations, however, have gone to war specifically to try and correct wrong in the world and to free others from the tyranny of unrighteous and oppressive regimes.
Invoking God’s Name in War
Since man is essentially a God-conscious being, God has often been appealed to and His name invoked on behalf of nations going to war. Many times, both in the past and at present, false gods connected with false religions have been looked to for help, and some of these occasions are recorded in the Word of God. When the true God was appealed to in the Old Testament, in a cause of which He approved, His people Israel could count on victory, for His glory and their ultimate blessing. Doubtless there were times when appeals to false gods were connected with victory, for God is behind the scenes and “worketh all things after the counsel of His own will” (Eph. 1:1111In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Ephesians 1:11)). Also, appeals to the true God sometimes were connected with defeat because His people were taking refuge in an outwardly right position, but without inward reality. While allowing defeat under such circumstances, God always vindicated His name in other ways, even if His people were walking badly.
The Worst of Man
In our day we find that wars are frequent, whether in large conflicts involving many nations or in smaller combats involving only a few nations or ethnic groups. In such wars, whether large or small, often the worst in man’s sinful nature comes out, and atrocities are committed which they justify by the end that is served. The name of God is brought into the picture to justify all this, often by both sides, for each sees himself as having right on his side. Even if atrocities are not knowingly committed, yet the very act of making war, especially in these days of sophisticated weapons, results in awful carnage that can scarcely be imagined by those who have not experienced it.
Involvement in Setting Things Right
For believers living in a professing Christian nation, war has proven to be a difficult matter to face. On the one hand, when we see unrighteousness and injustice in the world, it is tempting to want to become directly involved and set things right. If this involves war and bloodshed, we may seek to justify it on the basis that it is necessary to deal with evil in order to promote good. This is particularly true of Christian nations, such as Britain in the nineteenth century and the U.S.A. today. On the other hand, many believers wonder how this can be reconciled with God’s message of love and grace in this dispensation and the command of the Lord Jesus to “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:4444But 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; (Matthew 5:44)).
As always, we find the answer in the Word of God. It is true that God set up government in the earth, for there is no other way to curb the sinful impulses of fallen man. For this reason Paul reminds us to “be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:11Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1)). In keeping with this, he goes on to say that “he [the government] is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:44For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (Romans 13:4)). Government by man will continue until the Lord Jesus comes and reigns in righteousness, and until then no government will be perfect, because it is administered by fallen man. Nevertheless, government is still “the minister of God,” and the believer is called to submit to it, even if, as Daniel reminded Nebuchadnezzar, God is pleased at times to set up in government “the basest of men” (Dan. 4:1717This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (Daniel 4:17)).
The Christian’s Place
However, Scripture is clear that the Christian has no place in government today, for Christianity and government do not mix. For the same reason, the believer really has no place in war, either. Because we have a new life that delights in righteousness, we are constantly burdened by the rising tide of evil in this world and may be tempted to try and straighten things out. To do so, however, is to be like the Corinthians, to whom Paul had to say, “Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us” (1 Cor. 4:8). It is not the time for reigning or to set things right, for our blessed Saviour has been rejected. Until He has His rightful place, nothing will be right in this world. We are not to reign before the time.
More than this, to go to war and seek to “right the wrong” is to compromise our position as heavenly citizens and spoil our testimony to the love and grace of God. Nearly 150 years ago, a godly servant of the Lord was crossing the Atlantic on a British naval vessel. The sailors somehow found out that he did not believe in Christians going to war, and one day a number of them surrounded him on deck, wanting to know why. In those days Britain was recognized as an important “policeman” of the world, a role that has largely passed to the U.S.A. today. His reply was excellent, and in language which they understood. He said, “Boys, I believe in fair play. Suppose I go to war, and meet up with an unbeliever on the enemy side. We fire at each other: He kills me, and I kill him. He sends me straight to heaven, while I send him straight to hell. Boys, I don’t call that fair play.” Worse still, how serious to think that a believer going to war might find himself fighting a fellow-believer from another nation.
Heavenly Ambassadors
If we as Christians understand our heavenly calling and understand our role here in this world as ambassadors, we will readily see that we have no place in this world’s conflicts. We will be thankful for any measure of law and order that we experience, for “righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:3434Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34)). However, we will not seek to be identifying ourselves with our country of natural citizenship, whether in its righteousness or its sin, but rather will see ourselves as those called out of this world and part of the church which has been formed from every nation. We will seek to promote Christ’s interests down here, preach His message of love and grace, and wait for the Lord to come and take us home.
The Day of the Lord
Scripture tells us that God will deal with evil when our Lord comes back in power and glory to take His rightful place. The bloodshed and destruction of that day will be terrible, and unlike today, none will escape. Concerning that time, we read that “the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs” (Rev. 14:2020And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. (Revelation 14:20)). Furthermore, we read that the Lord Jesus will “smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Rev. 19:1515And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Revelation 19:15)). When the judgment is finished, God will usher in the millennium, where righteousness will reign. At that time, “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isa. 2:44And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4)).
The Weapons of Our Warfare
But is there no warfare for the believer today? Indeed there is. Paul could tell Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12), and he could also tell the Corinthians that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God” (2 Cor. 10:4). Then, in Ephesians 6:1111Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11) we are told to “put on the whole armor of God” in order to carry out both defensive and offensive warfare.
In particular, Paul tells us to have “your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:1515And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:15)). This might seem to be a contradiction, for a warrior is not normally a man of peace. However, the contradiction is only in appearance. The gentlest Christian must be a stern warrior, and his power in conflict with the enemy will be in proportion to his power as a peacemaker. Unless he is a man of peace, he cannot be a man of war. The Christian must first be governed by truth — “having your loins girt about with truth” (Eph. 6:1414Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (Ephesians 6:14)) — and must walk in integrity of heart. This results in consistency of conduct, and he will seek the happiness of others, whether sinner or saint. Then the believer, as a man of peace, will be ready for war against “the wiles of the devil,” against “the rulers of the darkness of this world,” against “spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:11-1211Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:11‑12)). It is this kind of warfare in which the believer should engage today.
We may rest assured that God will judge evil, but our part is to be a witness for Christ in the midst of the evil, as He was during His earthly ministry, while we wait for His return. W. J. Prost