THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT-DOES GOD APPROVE OF WARFARE?

The Effect of Christ's Teaching

While on earth, Jesus demonstrated how to replace hatred with unselfish love, commanding:  "Love one another, just as I have loved you." (John 15:12)  He also said:  "Happy are the peaceable." (Matthew 5:9)  Here the Greek word for "peaceable" means more than enjoying a state of tranquility. It really entails cultivating peace, actively working to promote goodwill.

When Jesus was being arrested, the apostle Peter tried to defend him with a lethal weapon. But the Son of God reprimanded him, saying:  "Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matthew 26:52)   How did first-century Christians apply those words?  Note the following quotations.  

"A careful review of all the information available  [shows] that, until the time of Marcus Aurelius [121-180 C.E.], no Christian became a soldier; and no soldier, after becoming a Christian remained in military service." -The Rise of Christianity.

"The behavior of the [early] Christians was very different from that of the Romans. . . .Since Christ had preached peace, the refused to become soldiers." -Our World Through the Ages. 

Because Christ's disciples refused to served in the emperor's legions, the Romans put many of them to death.  Why did the Christians  maintain such an unpopular stand?  Because Jesus taught them to be peacemakers.

Next time: THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT-DOES GOD APPROVE OF WARFARE?/Modern Warfare

From the Awake! magazine