Active Piety instead of War
War is a progression of unsettled enmity. The selfishness and rebellion of man separates him from peace with his neighbor. No matter how peaceful the earth may seem at times, there is a potential war in the making. Nation does not have to arise against nation, nor kingdom against kingdom for man to realize inner antagonism--it is self-evident. Contrariwise to the evil, from the perspective of obedience unto Christ according to the New Covenant, if a Christian is approved of God not to have hostile feelings toward his neighbor (near or afar), how much more would God not desire a hostile person to inflict pain or harm upon his enemy?
James, the servant of God, said that war resulted in asking amiss (James 4:3). Thus, if an individual seeks God's will, there will not be a subsequent desire for war. It is necessary for a man to have a forgiving attitude toward others in order to be forgiven his own sins. Vindictiveness is erased in a search for peace with God. Vengeance (infliction of punishment) belongs to the Lord, not to the offended.
Pondering upon these spiritual things and realizing retaliation is not appropriate for one's self, it is not wise to enjoin and partake of the battles of someone else. We are bought with a price, and we should not be relegated by politicians and military men, but rather we should have an influence on the government through the God-given manifold wisdom of the church (Eph. 3:10).
The church is a body "called out." Our pious and harmless conversation is an example of a living sacrifice. It is a testimony of obedience and patience. It is a peculiar mannerism; we are separate from the world. Even though some of us have national citizenry, we have a greater citizenry--the kingdom of heaven, " ... which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever" (Dn. 2:44). The stone cut out of a mountain, but without hands, became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. God's kingdom will endure because it is founded and blessed upon the establishment of God. The more we Christians adhere to the kingdom principles (New Covenant teachings), the more we will be increased.
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