military?

[Rick W]

I look at the police force as a military unit but more civilian in nature. They too are trained with deadly force, approach possible hostile situations ready to use that force if necessary and serve a state or locality rather than the entire nation. They will go where called, prepare with force for the worst and hope there's no or little resistance to their goals/objectives.

We commend our troops on one hand but condemn what they represent in purpose on the other. I see it in almost every thread on this issue. I believe Brian and Vic hit the nail on the head. It's the only way to reconcile the two, the soldier and the military they constitute.

The 'turning the other cheek part'. I also agree about serving the government, but our military personel are serving our country and our people. They are laying their very lives on the line every day so that we can express our opinions....in english.

I will turn the other cheek if I'm insulted, maybe even assaulted depending on the circumstances, but I will not (nor do I believe Jesus' commands us to) turn the other cheek if other lives are threatened!

I will turn the other cheek if I'm insulted, maybe even assaulted depending on the circumstances, but I will not (nor do I believe Jesus' commands us to) turn the other cheek if other lives are threatened!

People don't always grasp the one on one nature of the "turn the other cheek" verse. But Jesus also said:

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Our eternal lives were threatened and He laid down His life for us; He sets the example showing us we should be willing to lay down our lives for others if serving and defending one's country is your calling.

I agree with Brian.

 

[Lewis]

Should Christians Fight in War?
By Ed Rodgers
Guest Writer

CBN.com – What about all the wars that have been fought in the name of Christianity?

Whenever this question is asked, the implication seems to be that war in the name of Christ is contrary to His mandate to “turn the other cheek†(Matthew 5:39).

Otherwise, why would anyone argue with the right to fight a religious war? To understand the “big picture,†we must first understand that the “turn the other cheek†passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount. Its messages pertain to individual believers. His famous sermon shows how believers should respond to temptation, injustice, and the everyday trials of life. It says nothing about warfare.

For some instruction regarding this, we must go to Romans 13, which discusses some of the purposes of government as well as the proper relationship between believers and government:

"… F or it [government] is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil." (Romans 13:4)

God has given the state the power of life and death over its subjects in order to maintain order. Government also has the right to protect its people from evil by wielding the same “sword†in warfare. Some will argue that God has commanded, “Thou shall not kill.â€Â

Therefore Christians cannot engage in warfare. Actually, God’s command was against murder, not killing. Nowhere does the Bible say that believers should not join the military and thus, should not participate in defending their country. Numbers 25:8-13 is one of many Biblical accounts where killing was required to eradicate sin. However, the bottom line is that while the God of the Bible is a righteous judge, He is also a God of love and mercy Who detests the shedding of innocent human blood.

Having laid this background, let’s look at what I believe is at the heart of the questionâ€â€the atrocities committed in the name of Christianityâ€â€the Crusades, the Pogroms, the Holocaust, and the Inquisitions. While one could justify the Crusades as a response to the Muslim invasion of the Holy Land, there is no justification for the wholesale slaughter of Jews, or for the killing of “Christian brothers†along the way because their attire and customs were “different.â€Â

Defending innocent lives or even a holy site is justifiable. However, campaigns to eradicate an enemy or a race (the Jews) are indefensible. Those alive today whose families have been affected by any of these tragedies don’t really care if the perpetrators (or bystanders) were truly Christians. The simple truth is that Christians today need to ask forgiveness for all the blood shed in the name of Christianity.

When it comes to violence in the name of religion, Christianity is often compared to Islam. One could conclude that they are both equally guilty when it comes to bloodshed. Here’s the difference. All of the events listed above are an embarrassment to Christianity. Everything that happened was in direct violation to the teachings of the Bible. In contrast, every battle fought by believers in Allah, however brutal and bloody, was done with the blessing of the Koran. Followers of Allah must kill the infidels (unbelievers) in order to go to heaven. Followers of Jesus are commanded to love their enemies because they (Jesus’ followers) are assured of a place in heaven, and God wants even His enemies to be there, too.

Do You Want a Relationship with God?

If you want this kind of relationship with God, pray this prayer right now:

Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that you took the pain of the cross to give me new life. I ask you to come into my life and to give me your peace and joy. I confess that I am a sinner -- that I have gone my own way and have done wrong. Please forgive me for my sins. I receive you now as my Lord and Savior. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit. Help me to follow you and to serve you all my life. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, you are now a child of God. The things of your old life have passed away and He has made all things new.



http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/church ... _Wars.aspx

#1. John 19:30 NIV

#2. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

 

[westtexas]

We need Godly men and women in the military. There have been "Just Wars" throughout history. The book of Ecclesiastes says there is a time for peace and a time for war. What is necessary is to have a solid enough prayer life to discern when God says to turn the other cheek or when to stand and fight.

To all of you active military, thank you for your service to God and to our country!

Westtexas

 

[humbleservant]

you guys make some great points thank you for all your wisdom and insight, what do you think about the timing (as in now) to join the military under our president and our state of being as a country?

 

[jasoncran]

you guys make some great points thank you for all your wisdom and insight, what do you think about the timing (as in now) to join the military under our president and our state of being as a country?

i will be retiring soon because of the current administration. I wont go into my reasons

jason

 

[kimberlyb0112]

im not trying too put blame on anyone or anyting just trying to get information on the military any way i can.

humbleservant, I wasn't trying to imply.. I was just saying..
I have seen other people approach this topic alot more
harsh than it needs to be.. no one in here or anything, but just in general

If you do have any questions about the military or anything though, please feel
free to ask

 

[kimberlyb0112]

That is one thing I have been struggling with currently, is serving in the military under this administration..

I do not want to get out of the army, I love it.. but I dunno.. I just wish we had better leadership :gah

 

[jasoncran]

yes,i know why you are saying that kim, and that's one my reasons as well. But remember it was like this in the clinton days.

jason