Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
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S. Michael Houdmann
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Many people make the mistake of reading what the Bible says in Exodus 20:13, "You shall not kill," and then seeking to apply this command to war. However, the Hebrew word literally means "the inten...
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John Smith
Does God order and back all wars? Because God has sent people to war in the old testament does mean He sends his people to war today? The cruelty and insanity of war means you hate if you kill. War is the "Intentional, premeditated killing of another person with malice." The supreme proof of genuine Christianity is loving our enemies. Romans 12:14-21 Jesus established this high standard in contrast with the prevalent idea of His time. Luke 6:27 Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Luke 6:29 "him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other". Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies" The Christian's answer to hostility and antagonism is to "overcome evil with good" Romans 12:21. The bible adds clarification to killing, using the word "hate". 1 John 3:15 "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." Does the bible say it is OK to kill as long as you don't murder? Not according to 1 John 3:15. "Is God against man (governments) deciding who lives and dies"? Yes! Romans 12:19 "Vengeance is mine saith the Lord". Government (man)controlled wars: Civil War, World War 1, and World War 2, brother killing brother, Christians killing Christians. Jesus' teachings set such a high ideal of a selfless, loving life that most of us probably feel overwhelmed and discouraged. The Lord would never ask us to love and serve those who are hateful, unlovable, wanting to kill us without providing us also the means to accomplish it. (Luke 6:35,36) His Grace. What did Jesus do when he was put to death? Jesus demonstrated His love and grace and forgave those that nailed him to the cross. Luke 6:37 Judge not.
B H Bell
In Matthew 24:6, Jesus spoke these words to his disciples- "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come."
Jack Gutknecht
The Bible speaks of the evils of war in Amos 1:13 and Rev. 19:17, 18, for example. It is under the figures of battle and war that John in Revelation conceives the age-long conflict between righteousness and sin, Christ and Satan, and the final triumph of the Lamb, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords (Rev 16:14-16; 17:14; 19:14). As B H Bell already so ably mentioned, wars and rumors of wars are spoken of by Jesus in Matt. 24:6; Mark 13:7; and Luke 21:9.Among the signs of the last days given by our Lord are "wars and rumors of wars" (Mt 24:6; Mk 13:7; Lk 21:9; 21:24).
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