I hate war. I don’t know all the facts, and I have a feeling much of the information is being withheld for security reasons. Of course, we have all the social media experts providing their less than two-cents worth. Government officials are providing contradictory information, and we are all seeing one version of the war play out on platforms like TikTok… You know it’s all propaganda meant to raise support of one side or another. Carlson is taking to the air waves calling this the potential beginning of a holy war, the likes of which the world has never seen as Muslims seek retribution against Christians for the murder of their religious leader during a US-Israel joint retaliatory strike to the heart of Iran’s political regime. Everyone has his thought. I certainly have mine. I want to take a few moments to consider Jesus’s words and the calling on the lives of true Christians regardless the actions of worldly governments.
In Matthew 24, Jesus’s disciples asked Him when the Temple would be destroyed and what would be the sign of His coming in judgment against Jerusalem according to the prophets. Jesus answered them,
See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:4-14).
Jesus was answering His disciples’ question about the destruction of the Temple, which would take place approximately 40 years later. This is not a text about our future. Everything Jesus spoke about was fulfilled. We can read about it in the Roman historical record. I do find some principles here that ring true when the world today is in the midst of tribulation, when there are wars and rumors of wars.
- There must be false prophets in the world.
- Conflict in the world sifts the wheat from the chaff.
There are many political and religious figures all claiming to know what is right and how to have life, prosperity, and safety. War is the result of their arrogance and pride. I am persuaded that if people could learn to be more like Jesus, who came to serve rather than be served, war would end and we would finally beat our swords into plowshares like Isaiah predicted so long ago. Sometimes it is difficult to tell who is a false prophet because ideologies seem to align so well. Everyone believes his religion is right. Everyone believes he makes the correct decisions. I believe there is a place for just war, but as Christians, our intent is never war. Instead, we strive to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. False prophets seek retribution. False religions seek retribution. The war caused by false prophets in the world makes evident false religions and their false prophets. Here we are bragging about our military might and boasting in our power to kidnap and kill, all while claiming to follow Jesus—who taught His disciples to carry the gear of the Roman soldiers an extra mile. Jesus’s ways are not the ways of the world or of the false prophets leading the world’s religions today. His ways are higher, better than what we currently see broadcasted so widely.
Consider James’s words,
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (James 4:1-4).
It’s so basic, I know. Conflict exists because of selfish desire and the insatiable need people have to get what they want. They clothe it in religious and political language, but the reality stands. Every single conflict is born of someone’s selfish desire. This is the way of the world. Take what you want, dominate, be superior. Many people who call themselves Christians live this way. Muslims live this way. People the world over practice their politics and religions to somehow get what they want out of life. This is the way of the world, not the way of God. It is proof of false religion and its false prophets. Friendship with the world in this way is enmity with God—yet we call ourselves God’s servants and His vicors on the earth.
In response to the conflicts of worldly people, how do we live like Christ? First, we realize that conflicts serve a purpose to reveal who is truly with God and who is not. Worldly people seek their own profit. Godly people seek the good of others—even their enemies. We can be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves during the tribulations of this momentary life. I believe we can defend ourselves and our families. Love those who make us into enemies. Pray for those who persecute us. Be sure what we post on social media reflects the heart of a true Christian.
I am persuaded that there are no good guys in war. The waters of motivation and morale get pretty murky when you actually try to look into them. Worldly people like to drag the bottom so the waters get cloudy. One thing is abundantly clear. No political figure or religious leader is the salvation of his own countrymen or the world. Salvation and peace are only found in Jesus. Turn to Him alone and be saved from this wicked generation. Many people still present themselves as the Christ. There was only one savior. He didn’t take life. He gave His.
Leave a Reply