Christians in the military

[Reverend Rick]

Misrepresenting Jesus is not love, friend.

Perhaps you should take your own advice.

 

[Meshak]

Perhaps you should take your own advice.

How am I misrepresenting Jesus?

 

[Reverend Rick]

How am I misrepresenting Jesus?

When you say you follow him and blantantly judge others.

Are Christians suppose to judge one another?

You cherry pick verses while completely ignoring others that go against what you believe.

You have to follow everything he said not just the parts you agree with.

 

[Meshak]

When you say you follow him and blantantly judge others.

thats what Jesus says. Christianity is all about following Him.

Are Christians suppose to judge one another?

His followers has responsibility to defend His teachings.

You cherry pick verses while completely ignoring others that go against what you believe.

Pro-military is disregarding His command of "love your enemy" clearly.

You have to follow everything he said not just the parts you agree with.

Jesus says to obey His commandments faithfully, meaning everything He teaches.

This is about pro-military Christians. Please stay on the topic.

thanks.

 

[sojourner]

His followers has responsibility to defend His teachings.

Not true. His apostles have the responsibility to defend his teachings.

Jesus says to obey His commandments faithfully, meaning everything He teaches.

Fine. Sell your computer, give the proceeds to the poor, and then come talk to me.

 

[McBell]

Misrepresenting Jesus is not love, friend.

So your misrepresentations of Jesus and His words is what then?

 

[McBell]

Jesus says to obey His commandments faithfully, meaning everything He teaches.

And yet he said not a single thing about the military...

By what authority do you feel you are qualified to speak for Jesus?

 

[InChrist]

Jesus never condemned those in the military nor did He tell anyone they must discontinue being soldiers in order to follow Him. On the other hand He did praise the centurion soldier for his great faith.

When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! "Matthew 8:5-10

For a long time this was a confusing issue for me, Until I earnestly prayed seeking God's wisdom and realized that the answer was in rightly dividing the word of God...

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

I believe this means that the scriptures must be read, understood, and applied properly. This would apply to this issue or any other issue of life. I also believe the scriptures themselves along with the guidance of the Holy Spirit reveal the “proper” way to apply the scriptures to any given situation.

When Christians (and others) went over to Germany in WW2 to fight against Hitler on behalf of the Jews I am sure this was acceptable to Jesus. If a parent kills or harms a home invader who is about to hurt their child or someone comes to the defense of an elderly person being mugged on the street, I am also sure this is in line with Jesus' teaching of love your neighbor as yourself.

It is wrong according to the scriptures to fight, harm, or kill someone for your own selfish lusts, but it is not wrong to come to the defense of the lives of others. This can include military service, at least when the government is following its God ordained purpose to protect life.

 

[Meshak]

Jesus never condemned those in the military nor did He tell anyone they must discontinue being soldiers in order to follow Him.

1)Do you know the purposed of the military?

2)do you know massive destruction and killing are greatly involved?

3)Do you really thing that is of Jesus?

4)do you know that Jesus commands us to love your enemy?

5)Do you think you can love your enemy by killing them and destroying their country?

 

[sojourner]

1)Do you know the purposed of the military?

2)do you know massive destruction and killing are greatly involved?

3)Do you really thing that is of Jesus?

4)do you know that Jesus commands us to love your enemy?

5)Do you think you can love your enemy by killing them and destroying their country?

1. To protect life, liberty, property, family, etc.
2. How much massive destruction and killing would be involved if we didn't fight back?
3. Of course not. But neither is simply letting your friends and family get killed or hurt.
4. Yes. Jesus also commands us to love our neighbor.
5. Do you think you can love your neighbor by allowing them to be killed and having their country destroyed?

 

[savagewind]

I do not make it my habit to comment about opinion but I have been invited to comment and I have a few things to say that have not been addressed yet I think.

If Yehoshua was so against the military as Meshak insists, he would never have called John the Baptist I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; Matthew 11:11.... as John did not teach the military was to be avoided. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay." Luke 3:14

Did you ever see Mash the TV show? Can you imagine if there were no Christ-like people in the military? Would all military organizations resemble Germany's SS? I think so.

It is never OK to interpret Yehoshua's words to suit an agenda. It is impossible for anyone to say they know what he is thinking. Please.

I hate blanket rules. Are they not what Yehoshua condemned? If a person's conscious allows for the military God speed to her. I will sleep better knowing there are people who love God in the military.

Another thought. Yehoshua teaches be no part of the world. What does it mean? The world is passing away. So to be part of the world means to cling to that which is passing away. Conscientious people do not join the military to kill people or to destroy nations. They do it to assist peace (something not passing away) to be loyal (something not passing away) for justice (ditto), to learn self control and other things. They NEVER do it to kill their neighbor. Is God's arm too short to save? No. It is not.

 

[Meshak]

If Yehoshua was so against the military as Meshak insists, he would never have called John the Baptist I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; Matthew 11:11.... as John did not teach the military was to be avoided. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay." Luke 3:14

John the baptist did not know Jesus' love fully.

Did you ever see Mash the TV show? Can you imagine if there were no Christ-like people in the military? Would all military organizations resemble Germany's SS? I think so.

that is fantasy program for easy for the American to see themselves as so wonderful.

It is never OK to interpret Yehoshua's words to suit an agenda. It is impossible for anyone to say they know what he is thinking. Please.

I guess I have to bring Jesus' sermon of "love your enemy" and you still insist on killing your enemy harmonize with "loving your enemy".

I hate blanket rules. Are they not what Yehoshua condemned? If a person's conscious allows for the military God speed to her. I will sleep better knowing there are people who love God in the military.

If they know Jesus' word of "love your enemy" they will not be in the military, IMO. I am talking about Christians.

 

[Meshak]

It is allowed in the most Christian community in USA.

Jesus says to "love your enemy", yet they come up with all kinds of excuses to justify this sinful practice by the churches. we dont love anyone by killing or destroying the country. It is that simple.

Here is what Jesus has to say:Luke 6:27-36 King James Version)

27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32For if ye love them which love you what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34And if ye to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Fatheralso is merciful.

and some more:

Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

And His faithful disciple harmonize with Jesus' word:

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 corinthian 10:4-5)

Romans 12:17-21
17Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

II Corinthians 10:3,4
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds."

Ephesians 6:12
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."


PS: I hope I am allowed to speak against Christians practice military using Jesus' name.

I have been banned most forums because of my anti-mainstream convictions. My staying the same forum is 6 months average.

blessings

I am bumping this up for you savage.

 

[Meshak]

Savage, please read the OP to see if killing your enemy harmonize with it.

 

[savagewind]

Do you know what a blanket rule is? It is a rule that applies to everyone all the time.

hn the baptist did not know Jesus' love fully.

I agree that to know love "fully" is to become holy. Holiness is something to cultivate. It is not cultivated by obeying someone else's rules. Your critics are right when they say you have no right to interpret The Lord's words for someone else.

There is no direct order to refrain from the military. By the way, most people, I think, HATE the military but they serve anyway. Why? Why do they serve?

 

[savagewind]

Savage, please read the OP to see if killing your enemy harmonize with it.

Everyone has asked please which scripture are you referring to that says "do not kill your enemy?" It is you who are twisting The Word that says "love your enemy" to mean "do not kill your enemy". If I was a madman on a rampage of killing it would be a kindness to stop me.

 

[McBell]

I am bumping this up for you savage.

I am bumping this up for you Meshak:

You seem to have ignored a few verses:

Matthew 8:5-13
Matthew 8:5
Matthew 27:54
Mark 15:39-45
Luke 7:2
Luke 23:47
Acts 10:1
Acts 21:32
Acts 28:16
​

Interesting how you ignore the "Armor of God" reading of Ephesians 6:10-20...
not to mention Paul's "fellow soldier" Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25...

Seems to me your little rant is nothing more than a cherry picking in an attempt to justify your bias.

 

[ChristineES]

I think people are missing the point that the whole military isn't violent. I served in the Navy and never did any violence whatsoever. I didn't even work with weapons. I fixed communication devices. The only gun I ever fired was at a target. I issued tools, fixed electrical equipment and voltage regulators and outdated telephones and things of that nature. The military is also about protection.

 

[savagewind]

It is military personnel that risk life and limb to clean up mine fields so that children might play there again safely.

 

[averageJOE]

I'm curious, what do "true Christians" do when they see somebody breaking into their homes and start stabbing their children one by one?

These things have happened before, so it isn't impossible.

It has happened. When god himself used a military to have babies killed! (According to the story anyways)