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A group of academics and historians compiled these startling statistics.
Since 3,600 B.C., the world has known only 292 years of peace. During this
period there have been 14,351 wars large and small, in which 3.64 billion
people have been killed. The value of the property destroyed is equal to a
golden belt running around the world 97.2 miles wide and 33 feet thick.
Since 650 B.C., there have also been 1,656 arms races, only 16 of which
have not ended in war. The remainder ended in the economic collapse of the
countries involved. Incredible.
A few years ago, a Dutch professor took time to calculate the cost of an
enemy soldier's death at different epochs in history. He estimated that
during the reign of Julius Caesar, to kill an enemy soldier cost less than
one dollar. At the time of Napoleon, it had considerably inflated - to
more than $2,000. At the end of the First World War, it had multiplied
several times to reach the figure of some $17,000. During the Second World
War, it was about $40,000. And in Vietnam, in 1970, to kill an enemy
soldier cost the United States $200,000. Imagine what it must cost now in
2003 to kill each Iraqi soldier. Is it worth it? Why do we wage war? Is it
right? Something deep inside each one of us says, "No, it's not. This is
not how it's meant to be."
If you're like me, you've been asking yourself this week, How should I, as
a Christian, respond to all this? What does God think about it all? What
does the Bible say? In his letter to the Christians in Rome the superpower
of his day, Paul wrote these words:
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no
authority except that which God has established. The authorities that
exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against
the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who
do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for
those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free
from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be
commended. For the one in authority is God's servant to do you good. But
if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for nothing.
They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the
wrongdoer (Romans 13:1-4).
The Christian church has historically understood this to mean that God has
entrusted governments with the right to use force to protect their
citizens from violence and injustice. Whether it be a policeman preventing
an assault, a judge condemning a criminal, or an army defending a country.
As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:8, "There is a time for war and a time for
peace." Sometimes war is the lesser of two evils. Sometimes it is time for
war. But, of course, the million-dollar question is: When is the right
time? When is war justified? According to the "Just War" doctrine of the
church, a war is "just" only if it can satisfy seven conditions. Think
about the current war in Iraq.
· Does it have a just cause?
· Was it declared by a proper authority?
· Is it pursued with the right intention?
· Is there a reasonable chance of success?
· Is the end proportional to the means used?
· Are reasonable efforts being made to protect non-combatants from harm?
· Is the force used proportional to the object desired?
As you can tell, these seven criteria are highly subjective. Applying them
to the present conflict, reasonable people interpret them in very
different ways. President Bush and his supporters believe that these
criteria have been fulfilled. But many others disagree and so oppose the
decision to invade Iraq. In the face of such violent disagreement and such
world-shaking events, what are we, as Christians, to think and do? God's
word gives us at least five commands, five marching orders.
1. Remember that God is in control
The first is this: remember that God is in control. The shape of the
world, both politically and economically, hangs in the balance. Forces
beyond our control are sweeping us - even in New Zealand - towards
uncertain ends. In the face of this, it's comforting to know that God is
sovereign, that he is in control. Proverbs says: "The king's heart is like
a stream of water directed by the Lord; he turns it wherever he pleases" (Prov
21:1). Daniel wrote: "Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he
alone has all wisdom and power. He determines the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets others on the throne" (Dan 2:20-21). God is in
control. And, unlike human rulers, he never exercises his power
capriciously against his people. He always acts with love and justice. As
Psalm 145:9 says, "The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on
all his creation."
At the turn of the twentieth century, Charles Spurgeon was probably the
best-known Christian leader in the English-speaking world. For a man with
extraordinary strengths and success, he had his share of problems.
Physically he battled with obesity, rheumatism and gout. Relationally, he
battled with severe public criticism. And emotionally he repeatedly
battled with depression. But Spurgeon didn't cave in because he clung to
his belief in the sovereignty of God. He viewed his depression as a part
of God's plan. Indeed, God used his struggles, to keep him humble, to
prepare him for greater service, to pour out more power through his
ministry. Spurgeon looked past his circumstances to the Christ that ruled
over them. What are you battling with? Cancer? The bank manager?
Loneliness? A family member? Remember: God is in control.
2. Pray for our leaders
If we believe that God is in control then, secondly, we should pray for
the leaders who are involved in this conflict. In his first letter to
Timothy Paul writes, pray "for kings and all those in authority, that we
might live peaceful and quiet lives" (1 Tim 2:1-2).
In Shakespeare's tragedy, Henry V, there's a powerful scene on the eve of
a battle between the English and their overwhelming French enemy. King
Henry dons a disguise and moves incognito among the common soldiers on the
field. He overhears one of them swear that the king will have to pay on
judgment day when hacked and broken bodies rise up and accuse him of
having brought victory with their lives. Henry knows all to well the
burden that he shoulders. President Bush, Saddam Hussein, Helen Clark all
bear heavy responsibilities. Their decisions affect our lives. Whether or
not we agree that this war is necessary, we should pray for them, asking
God to give them humility, discernment, wisdom, courage and strength, to
do what is right. This week, let's pray for them when we're reading the
paper, watching the news, meeting at home group. And come along, if you
can, to the prayer breakfast this Saturday morning, where we'll be praying
that God's name will somehow be glorified through this conflict.
3. Recognise the real cause of war
Sometimes I hear people say, I can't believe in God. Why would he allow
war? Why would he allow innocent children to suffer like this? In
response, we need to recognise the real cause of war. James says, "What is
causing these quarrels and fights among you? Isn't it the whole array of
evil desires at war within you? You want what you don't have, so you
scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous for what they have, and you
can't possess it, so you fight and quarrel…" (James 4:1-2). The cause of
war is sin - selfishness, jealousy, pride. Whether it's a battle between
nations, or a battle between companies, or a battle between a husband and
wife, or parent and child, wherever there is conflict someone - if not
everyone - is exhibiting selfishness, or jealousy or pride.
President Lincoln was once walking down the street with his two little
boys, who were both crying and frustrated. A man asked him, "What's wrong
with your children?" Lincoln said, "Nothing. Just what's wrong with the
world. I have three walnuts. They both want two." The real cause of war
and suffering is not a sovereign God but sinful human beings.
4. Make peace with those around you
This brings us to the fourth command. Regardless of what you think about
the war over in Iraq, the Bible says we can and should seek to make peace
with those around us. In Romans 12, immediately before Paul describes the
right of governments to "wield the sword," he outlines the
responsibilities of individual Christians in cases of interpersonal
conflict:
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with
those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one
another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low
position. Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the
eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live
at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room
for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"
says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if
he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap
burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome
evil with good (Romans 12:14-21).
If you are struggling with someone who unreasonably opposes or mistreats
you, here are four steps to follow if you want to obey God and do what you
can to make peace with him or her.
· Control your tongue (v 14). The more we speak negatively about someone,
the more we'll think and act negatively towards them. So choose only to
speak positively about the other person.
· Seek godly advisers (vv 15-16). Paul says that we're not to be proud or
conceited, but to instead acknowledge that sometimes we need the advice
and assistance of others in difficult conflict situations.
· Keep doing what's right (v17). If we persevere in doing what we know to
be right - with a humble and gentle attitude, the chances are that people
will eventually see and declare that we are right.
· Overcome evil with the greatest weapon of all, love (vv20-21). Ken Sande,
the President of Peacemaker Ministries in the United States, recalls one
night lying in bed after he'd had a ripsnorter of an argument with his
wife. It was a cold night: 15 degrees below outside, and they slept with
the window open. Ken was shivering, he was so cold, but in his anger
refused to turn towards his wife and pull up the covers. His wife turns
towards him, and seeing him shiver, gently lifts the blankets up over him.
Her love broke him. And they made their peace.
5. Seize the opportunity to share about the Prince of Peace
I guess there's no greater way to make peace than to help people be
reconciled to God. This brings us to our last command. With the world's
attention focused on conflict in Iraq, we need to seize the opportunity to
share with our friends about the Prince of Peace. I think that this war is
opening people up to discuss issues of evil and judgment. It's an open
door. If someone says to you, "It just isn't right, this war. War is
evil," say to them, "Where do you think that innate sense of right and
wrong comes from? Who wrote that moral law on your heart or in our
society? Maybe there is a Law-Giver after all, a Judge to whom we must all
give account." And if someone says to you, "All this fighting, all these
wars, this isn't he way it's meant to be," you could say in response, "I
agree. We humans are so self-centred. We don't live the way we should.
That's what the Bible calls sin. And that's why God sent Jesus as the
Saviour of the world."
Watching the news this week, it's been interesting to see the reaction of
many Iraqis towards the American forces. In one sense, they need
liberation, but many of them - out of fear or ignorance - are resisting
those who have come to liberate them. Isn't that the way with us
sometimes? Without Jesus, we are all far more in need of liberation than
any Iraqi citizen. And God's word tells us that Jesus, the Prince of
Peace, invaded our world, landing in hostile territory as a vulnerable
human baby. He lived and died and rose again, to free us all from the
tyranny of sin. As Peter says, "Christ died for sins once for all, the
righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18). Have
you chosen sides yet? Have you given your allegiance to Jesus? Have you
laid down your arms? If not, you're still at war with God. Wave the white
flag. Cross over to Jesus' side. Let him heal you. Let him free you. Let
him bring you to God.
Prayer
If you've never said, "Yes," to Jesus, the Bible says that you're still at
war with God. You need to make peace with him today. You need to take him
at his word, and trust him when he says that Jesus died and rose for you,
to bring you to God. You need to surrender your life to Jesus, and trust
him enough to obey his orders from now on. Would you say in your heart, if
you haven't already: "Jesus, thank you for coming and laying down your
life to set me free. I need you. And I surrender to you. I'm joining your
side. Save me. Liberate me from the way I've been living. Protect me.
Guide me. Take me home." Many of you have already made that decision.
You're already in God's army. Say to him, "Lord. I acknowledge again that
you are my commander. And that you have sent me - and this church here -
on a mission, a life and death mission to lay my life down in service to
others, to share the liberating news about Jesus with others. Guide me to
those people who are ready to hear about Jesus, those people who are ready
to surrender to him. And give me the courage to share Jesus with them.
Lord, we bring to you our concerns about war in Iraq. We pray that the war
may be over quickly. We pray for the leaders involved. Give them humility,
wisdom, courage and compassion. Lead them to make the right decisions,
that justice would prevail. Bring those who are doing evil to justice or
repentance, and bring peace and reconciliation between the opposing sides.
We pray for the people of Iraq, victims of violence in the Gulf. Would
they receive the relief care they need. And, finally, guide us to do what
we can to bring peace in this time of war. For we ask it in the name of
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Study Questions
1. Throughout church history there has been a vocal minority of Christians
opposed to all forms of war. Is it ever right to fight? How do you think
the Bible justifies war? Do you think this war against Iraq is justified?
2. "Unforgiveness is the poison we drink, hoping others will die." Can you
recall ever drinking the poison of unforgiveness? What did you do to expel
it from your system?
3. In what ways are you worrying about circumstances outside your control?
Do you believe that God is sovereign? How can you live in way that
expresses trust in him?
4. How can you set aside time this week to pray for the leaders of our
country and those involved in the Gulf?
5. Are you engaged in a personal conflict at the moment? Carefully assess
how you may have contributed to the war through selfishness, jealousy or
pride. What steps can you take to make peace?
6. Are you praying for the opportunity to share your faith in Jesus with
someone? Why not commit yourself to pray for that every day for a month
and see what happens?
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