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(This is not a personal letter.)
Active Piety instead of War
Active piety by means of non-retaliating sufferance (not passivity) and overcoming evil with good, integrated with preaching is a replacement for war. The New Covenant constitutes a new, Christ-like principle that differs from the Old Covenant in regard to the response of a Christian toward his enemies (Mt. 5:39; cf. Ex. 21:24). The believer is commanded to refrain from the once appropriate eye for an eye; and furthermore, offer with joy what may seem less precious than the abiding possession he has in the heavens, whether having been spoiled by plunder (Heb.10:34), defrauded (I Cor. 6:7, 8), or personally assaulted (Mt. 5:39).
God is concerned with the means of achieving that which is good rather than only the desired result. If we Christians throughout the world obey, "See that none render evil for evil unto anyone; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men" (I Thes. 5:13), what a peaceful and harmless, spiritual example of morality we will establish! Then wars would have to be fought by unbelievers alone.
The peace of God is hidden from anyone who does not believe in His son, who is the "Prince of Peace" (Is. 9:6). All of us have been born under the inherent sinful nature of mankind (Rom. 3:23); thus in order for anyone to have peace with God, he must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Perversely, in contrast with peace, enmity is the disposition or feelings of an enemy; and it is also a manifestation of the lust of the flesh (Gal. 5:20), which is contrary to the Holy Spirit and the will of God. The Bible says the mind of the flesh is enmity against God (Rom. 8:7).
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.
God is our predestinator, Jesus is our savior, and the Holy Spirit is our teacher. The written word (the Bible) is an account of the will and authority of the Holy Trinity, the light of our kingdom. Thus, let us walk in the light of the New Covenant as the apostle said:
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (II Cor. 10:3-6)
On the other hand, in regard to other aspects of patriotism excluding nationalism, the paying of our taxes satisfies the ordinance of God. Though we certainly do not agree with all the purposes of the expenditures of government, good is implemented on our part by financial support. We should not resist this obligation (Rom. 13:1-8).
However, these expenses could be diminished by providing our own educational institutions for children, including the indigent. By overcoming anti-Christian discipline, such as the prevention or discouragement (or even the lack of encouragement) of children praying, reading the Bible and preaching, a great step in fighting the good combat of faith would be accomplished (I Tim. 6:12-16). Children should not be threatened, but rather encouraged to speak even as Peter and John, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19, 20). "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). As intelligent as many Christian men are, it is certainly not unreasonable to suggest they have the capability to institute such schools of spiritual nourishment and training notwithstanding divisions and interdenominational contention. Salaries could be cut by volunteer teachers (born again, not necessarily having a college degree or state standard equivalent). Funds could be attained through donations. Freely given, freely give. There is only one church--the body of believers; it is not impossible for Christians to unite for such a necessary cause if we would but do it. Remembering the poor and the masses is an essential part of Christiandom.
In a similar respect as to spiritual health through the influence of God's people, the state or sovereignty should invite and acquiesce to Christian diplomacy in determining and providing the needs of its people; the promotion of national or international law void of God's wisdom is deficient and deceptive in itself as to making or restoring peace upon planet Earth. When Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel", he instituted an international law among the saints harmonious with the will of the Creator of the universe, who is also the Blessor thereof. The preaching of Jesus is health and life abundant to those who hear and do throughout the world. There is no other name underneath Heaven whereby men may be saved (Acts 4:12). Those who reject Christ choose a curse, death and God's wrath for themselves. The gospel must be promoted and encouraged thoroughly and ecumenically because national leaders and their people are in need of the spiritual insight that has power to bless their souls now and eternally.
Furthermore, as to not bearing arms, in the case we are compelled to bear burden (non-violently, abstaining from the appearance of harming anyone), we should concede, and well (Mt. 5:41)! However, to demonstrate the validity of conscientious objection, the early church was not taught from a collective perspective, "We must fight for Caesar because the security of Rome's provinces may be jeopardized." To the contrary, the disciples instructed and exemplified the principles congruous of the reality whereby Jesus declared to Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence" (Jn.18:36).
Following the example and edification of Jesus, it may be deduced the early church leaders presented their bodies as living sacrifices (Rom., ch. 12). Although, there was a time once when Peter reacted violently while he was with Jesus and he cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. However, such a response was unheard of him after the reproof of Jesus had been initiated. Peter never made excuses such as some people make today, for example, "Oh well, that was just that one instance; a man has to defend himself and his friends doesn't he?" Many people have a bad habit of diluting and compromising the truth. It so happens that harmlessness, even at the point of death, is taught and exemplified consistently, without exception, throughout the New Testament.
The Apostle Paul suffered terrible and humiliating, oral and physical violence. While preaching at Lystra, he was stoned to the point that his Jewish enemies thought he was dead. The following day he left to Derbe, and after preaching and teaching many in that city he returned to Lystra. He made a very important point there to the disciples, "we must enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations" (Acts 14:22).
Martial arts or physical might is not a Christian resolve for conflict. But rather, we should be empowered in the Lord, and in the might of his strength, putting on the panoply of God, that we are able to stand against the artifices of the devil: because the wrestling against flesh and blood is not to us, but against principalities, authorities, world-rulers of the darkness of this age, and the spiritual things of wickedness in heavenly places. On account of this, let us take up the whole armour of God, in order we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all things, to stand. Let us stand therefore, having our loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, whereby we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and let us receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Eph. 6:10-18).
May peace, mercy and love be multiplied,
Br. Ken
P.S.
I realize we believers in Christ have many social problems of our own which have been preventing us from a greater degree of dignity and many of the Lord's blessings. I believe non-violent and harmless-as-a-dove Christian principles must be applied to our own social and economic doctrine. Politics will not solve our problems. Voting will not solve our problems. Christ must be our sufficiency. If the world will not accept this, which of course they will not except for those who repent, then it is necessary that we understand we must work together as a harmless group called out from the world, no physical violence among ourselves nor to anyone else. Let's not let national cultural pride interfere with God's transformation process through the renewing of our mind (Rom. 12:2). Let us be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another (Rom.12:10). Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men (Rom. 12:17). Avenge not yourselves (Rom.12:19). This separation from worldly policy will give us more dependence upon God and encourage us to work together, looking upon the needs of others rather than ourselves. Caring (love) for others seeks not its own--this does no evil to anyone (I Cor. 13:5). When there was a strife among the disciples concerning which of them should be accounted the greatest, Jesus said, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority over them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve" (Lk. 22:25, 26).
When I consider the comparison of the prosperity of different ethnic groups, especially with my own, and then from a closer look even from the particular regions and cultures that I have been more familiar with, I can see the lack of grace, spiritual riches, facial radiance and fulfillment through the ignorance, manners, words and deeds among the ones who have not learned and put on Christ. Many of the women have been a prey for the lustful and are unchaste. We have suffered from lack of knowledge of God if not rejection of God, spiritual immaturity, social violence and financial poverty. This makes me sad because I know God wants people to be inwardly rich--all anyone has to do is trust and obey him--he will supply the riches. May the Lord help those who do not know him before it is eternally too late. Amen. With the exception of the devout among those who hold the non-resistance doctrine, even though the Italian Romanists have their add-on's and take-away's from the Holy Scriptures through their tradition, which is abominable, if not intolerable to us, they are generally amiable to one another, and through my observation, have a stronger bond together than the non-Romanists. They seem to be superior as to keeping their own women chaste. However, I do not have any definite statistics, but I have seen many broken homes of our own. This should be a strong indication to us that we have a moral and social deficiency! God can reveal Himself and become a witness to people by the way a Godly and disciplined individual behaves, by a God loving, undefiled and orderly family that puts the other member of the family before himself or herself, and by the collective social expression of harmlessness through groups of families and individuals serving their Lord and one another.
If you like, fax or mail a copy of this to a friend.
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Hesedken |
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