How do you feel about the war in Iraq? Some say it is just,
others say it’s just wrong. Rather than endorsing one side or the
other, I would like to share when God says it is right to fight and
allow you to draw your own conclusions.
How do you feel about the war in Iraq? Some say it is just, others say it’s just wrong. Rather than endorsing one side or the other, I would like to share when God says it is right to fight and allow you to draw your own conclusions.
Ecclesiastes 3:8 says, “There is a time for war and a time for peace.” Sometimes war is the right thing. Sometimes war is the wrong thing. The Bible teaches us that there are three times when war is clearly warranted:
First, war is the right thing to do when it is waged in order to preserve freedom. The Bible is full of examples about times when war was the only way for the nation of Israel to preserve freedom. Modern history is also filled with times when the only way freedom could be preserved was by war. World War II is a classic example.
Second, war is the right thing to do when it is waged in order to defend innocent people. Proverbs 21:15 says, “When justice is done it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” Notice the word “justice.” Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” I like the thought expressed in that statement, but I question its reasoning. Are people really “good” who passively sit by and let evil triumph, disapproving of it all the while? Talk is cheap! Loving good requires doing good.
A third time when war is the right thing to do is when it is waged in order to stop the spread of evil. The Bible makes it very clear that God has authorized the government to enforce the law and punish offenders. Romans 13:4 says, “Government is there to serve God for your benefit. If you break the law however, you may well have fear. He does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of justice to bring punishment on the wrongdoers.”
When is it right to fight? When it is necessary to preserve freedom, protect the innocent, or stop the spread of evil in the world. But let us not be naive. As you consider these times when war is justified, realize that these principles have often been used to mask a hidden agenda. Numerous wars have been fought under their guise when, in fact, the true motivation was increasing a country’s wealth and power.
Some of us have seen the face of war up close and personal, and we know that things are rarely black and white. I came to that realization in 1968, when, at the tender age of 18, I was drafted into the Vietnam conflict. My eyes were opened in a big way to the injustice that proliferates during times of war.
My heart goes out to the families of our men and women who have died. My heart goes out to the innocent children caught in the crossfire in Iraq. I so very much want this war to stop. But this I’ve learned: We live in a world dominated by sin and selfishness, and wherever there is sin, people hurt each other. So there must be laws enacted to prevent people from hurting each other, and God has authorized the government to enforce those laws, because without enforcement the laws are worthless.
What happens when countries disagree on the enforcement of laws established to preserve freedom, defend the innocent and stop the spread of evil? Quite often, war happens.
I don’t know where you stand on the war we are in. I don’t know if you feel we are justified in being in Iraq or if you believe we are there to preserve freedom, protect the innocent and stop the spread of evil in the world. But regardless of your view, if you are a Christian, there are four things God wants you to do; four principles that should be your response to any war. We’ll explore them in detail next week.
