JESUS WAS NO PAGAN PACIFIST NOR DID HE TEACH FALSE PACIFISM
Posted : 23 Nov, 2019 05:45 AM
Kevin Myers
September 14, 2016
Was Jesus a pacifist? He was not.
The Old Testament law was meant for the magistrates of the day so that they wouldn't give out excessive punishment. (life for an eye or a limb for a tooth).
The Pharisees of Jesus' day were abusing this law. They made it personal and were telling everybody they have to take an eye for an eye. They messed it up!
Jesus was giving the spirit of God’s teaching and calling his disciples to be like him. The heart behind it. Jesus was teaching how you carry yourself in personal interaction – how you personally respond to others. This has nothing to do with nations, governments, or defending yourself.
Otherwise it contradicts the whole OT and NT in places like Romans 13 & I Peter 2 that confirms God establishes governments to stand against evil, bring order, and punish criminals. They have the sword to levy justice.
In the beginning of the sermon on the mount, he talks about being poor in the spirit, those that mourn, and realize that their selfishness will destroy them. If you want to be truly like Christ in your personal relationships, then this is how'd you live it out:
Don't use violence to get your way.
Don't use vengeance to get even.
A slap in the face doesn't hurt your face as much as it hurts your ego. Absorb the offense, turn the other cheek, walk away. Don't add to the conflict, do good, let your ego go, and you'll be more like God.
The world doesn't know what to do when it slaps you on the face and you don't slap back. Love can absorb the offense.
JESUS WAS NO PAGAN PACIFIST NOR DID HE TEACH FALSE PACIFISM
Posted : 23 Nov, 2019 05:48 AM
Did Jesus Teach Pacifism?
Article by Matt Perman
Guest Contributor
The attacks of September 11 and the resulting war against terrorism have brought to the front once again the question of the Christian view of war. The question is particularly complex because it is hard to see how war can be consistent with the biblical emphasis upon forgiveness and forebearance and love. This emphasis is perhaps most pointed in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus says:
You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:39-44)
Does Jesus' teaching that we should turn the other cheek and love our enemies mean that it is always wrong to go to war? Should the world have turned the other cheek to Hitler and tried to love him into surrender? When Osama Ben Laden ordered the attack on the World Trade Center, should the U.S. have responded by sending him the Sears Tower as well? Or does Jesus allow a place for both loving our enemies and yet, in certain situations, using force to restrain life-threatening wickedness?
What follows are some of the primary reasons we believe that it is right for the military (and Christians who are a part of the military) to engage in wars that have just cause--namely, self-defense, the restraint of life-threatening evil, and the punishment of nations and individuals who have committed unjust acts of war against one's country. This is called the just war theory. We will close by seeking to explain how this fits with the command to turn the other cheek, love our enemies, and not resist him who is evil.
Pacifism is harmful
To let someone murder when it is in your power to stop them is completely contrary to our moral sentiments. If a Hitler is on the move and seeking to bind the world in tyranny and destroy entire ethnic groups, it would seem very clearly wrong not to oppose him with force (which sometimes is the only effective method). It is true that war itself is harmful and tragic; but pacifism would result in even more harm to the world because it would give wicked people virtually free reign. We of course must be open to letting the Bible transform our moral sentiments, but this observation should at least cause us to pause and reflect more deeply before concluding that Jesus is intending to teach pacifism.
Consistent pacifism would have to eliminate the police, not just the military
In fact, if we were to conclude that governments should always turn the other cheek and never resist evil, then we would be logically committing ourselves to getting rid of not only the armed forces, but also the police force and criminal justice system. For police officers arrest criminals, using force against them if necessary, and put them in jail. That is not turning the other cheek. Does Jesus intend his command to turn the other cheek to apply to the police? Surely not as their primary way of responding to evil. God does not want evil to run about in our society unchecked (cf. in the OT the numerous civil laws and in the NT Romans 13, to be discussed below). If one accepts the legitimacy of police using force in some instances, there can be no objection to the military using force in some instances, either.
Luke 3:14 allows military service
It is significant that John the Baptist did not tell the soldiers to leave the military when they asked him what it meant to repent: "And some soldiers were questioning him, saying, 'And what about us, what shall we do?' And he said to them, 'Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages'" (Luke 3:14). Since it is, therefore, possible to live a godly life and yet be in the military, it must be because engaging in war is not always sinful.
John 18:36 acknowledges the right of the sword to earthly kingdoms
In this passage, Jesus says: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." When Jesus says that if his kingdom were of this world his servants would be fighting, he implies that it is right for kingdoms of this world to fight when the cause is just and circumstances require it. As Christians, we are citizens of "two kingdoms"--our country on earth, and heaven. Jesus shows us that it is never right to fight for the sake of his spiritual kingdom, but that it is right to fight on behalf of earthly kingdoms (when necessary to counter evil and destruction).
Romans 13:3-4 grants governments the right to use force to restrain and punish evil
Paul writes: "For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil."
Here Paul affirms the government's right to use force in two ways. First, he says that it "does not bear the sword for nothing." Second, he states that government is a "minister of God" when it executes vengeance against evildoers.
Governments, of course, do not have the right to use force for any purpose whatsoever. They do not have the right to use force in order to lord it over their citizens and impose unnecessary restraints upon freedom. There are two purposes for which this text says the government is justified in using force: the restraint of evil and the punishment of evil. The purpose of force is not just to prevent further evil from happening, but to punish evil acts by bringing the perpetrators to justice. Government is acting as a "minister of God" when it serves as "an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil."
Does the right of the sword in this text extend to the case of war? The immediate context does have in mind the use of physical force in regard to a government's own citizens. But by extension this also implies that if one nation commits an act of war against another nation, the offended nation has the right to engage in self-defense and to avenge the wrong. Would it be consistent to say that a nation has a right to restrain and punish evil committed against it by its own citizens, but not to restrain and punish evil committed against it by another nation? The mere fact that the civil offense was committed by another country does not remove their accountability to the country they attacked.
1 Peter 2:13-4 confirms the teaching of Romans 13:3-4
In 1 Peter 2:13-14, we are taught: "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right." Once again, the right of governments to punish evil is affirmed.
Is it right for a Christian to fight in a war?
Since the Scriptures teach that it is right for a nation to engage in a just war, it follows that it is therefore right for a Christian to fight in such a war. Some have argued that non-Christians may fight in wars but believers may not, but this distinction is not found in Scripture. Scripture teaches that it is not sin for a government to engage in a just war, and there is therefore nothing that forbids Christian from being involved in just wars.
Church and state must be distinguished
It is very important, however, to remember here the distinction between church and state. The Christian fights in a war not as an ambassador of the church or on behalf of the church, but as an ambassador of his country. The church is not to use violence (John 18:36), but the government at times may (John 18:36; Romans 13:3-4; etc.). So the Christian fights not as an agent of the church, but as an agent of the government of his country. Both are ultimately under the authority of God, but each has a distinct role.
What about turning the other cheek?
What, now, are we to make of Jesus' radical commands in Matthew 5:39-41? "Do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two." How does this fit with what we have seen above?
First, we need to clarify what the problem is not. The problem is not that Jesus appears to be telling us to lie down and let evil overtake us. That is clearly not what he is saying. Instead, he is telling us what it looks like "not [to] be overcome by evil, but [to] overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). We have all seen the wisdom of Jesus' words here in our everyday lives. Much of the time, the most effective way to overcome evil is by not resisting. If someone says a mean word, it is far more effective to respond with kindness than with another mean word in return. If someone tries wrongly to cut you off on the freeway, it is usually best just to let them do it. If we would learn these principles, our lives would be much more peaceful and, ironically, we would be vindicated more often.
So the problem is not that it looks as though Jesus is telling us to let evil steam-roll over us. The problem is that it looks like Jesus is telling us that the only way we should ever seek to overcome evil is by letting it go and responding with kindness. It looks as though he leaves no place for using force in resisting evil.
Part of the answer to this difficulty lies in understanding the hyperbolic nature of much of the Sermon on the Mount. I don't think that Jesus is telling us never to respond to evil with force (such as in self-defense) or always to literally turn the other cheek when we are slapped any more than his command later in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:6 means that we should only pray when we are completely alone or his command in 5:29 means that some should literally gouge out their eyes. Jesus himself drove the thieves away from the temple with a whip (John 2:15) and Paul at times insisted on his rights as a Roman citizen (Acts 25:11; cf. also the interesting instance of 16:35-40). Jesus is using hyperbole to illustrate what our primary disposition and attitude should be, not to say that we should literally give in to every attempt to do evil against us. That is part of the answer.
The main part of the answer, however, lies in remembering that Jesus is speaking primarily to individuals. He is not mainly addressing governments here, but is primarily speaking at the personal level. This text, then, shows that an individual's primary response to evil should be to "turn the other cheek," while the other texts we have seen (e.g., Romans 13:3-4) show that government's God-given responsibility is to punish those who commit civil crimes (murder, terrorism, acts of war, etc.). While it is sometimes appropriate even for individuals to use self-defense, it is never appropriate for individuals to seek to punish others. But it is right, however, for governments both to take measures of self-defense and to execute retribution.
There are, in other words, various "spheres" of life. God has willed that some spheres include responsibilities that are not necessarily included in other spheres. Personally, it would be wrong for us to execute retribution on people who harm us. But passages like Romans 13:3-4 and John 18:36 show that Jesus is not denying governments the right to execute retribution on evildoers. Therefore, when a Christian is under the authority of the government and authorized to fight in a just war on the nation's behalf, it is appropriate for him to fight. For he is not fighting as a private individual, but as a representative of the government to which God has given the power of the sword.
In doing so, a Christian soldier should strive to love one's opponents in war as people, remembering that he opposes them as agents of the opposing government/system, not as private individuals. When at war, we need to look at people in the opposing army/terrorist group at two levels--the private, and governmental/public. Because of the private level, the soldier should pray for and love the opposing soldiers. And because of the public level, the soldier fights against them--not as private individuals, but as public representatives of the system and evil that is being opposed. That distinction, I am sure, would be hard to maintain in battle. Neither would it remove the pain and difficulty of being involved in fighting against other human beings. But it is perhaps a faint reflection of how the personal and governmental spheres overlap and involve one another while still remaining distinct.
Further Resources
John Piper, "Terrorism, Justice, and Loving Our Enemies"
Robert Clouse, ed., War: Four Christian Views.
John Feinberg, Ethics for a Brave New World, chapter 13, "The Christian and War"
Norman Geisler,Christian Ethics, chapter 12, "War"
Matt Perman is the director of career navigation at The King’s College NYC, a blogger, and an author.
JESUS WAS NO PAGAN PACIFIST NOR DID HE TEACH FALSE PACIFISM
Posted : 23 Nov, 2019 06:25 AM
Ridiculous quotes by littlest David:
"God NEVER says anywhere in the OT to “hate and**KILL** your enemies”,
"The Old Testament never teaches to hate and **KILL** our enemies any more than the New Testament does."
Actually you can easily find over 70 verses in the Old Testament to **HATE AND KILL YOUR ENEMIES**. Whereas you can find over 40 verses which commands us to love and pray and feed our enemies and **YOU CAN NOT EVEN FIND ONE VERSE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WHICH COMMANDS US TO KILL OUR ENEMIES** Instead of killing your enemies Jesus teaches us to love and pray for enemies that they may be saved and go to heaven!!!
And so the Old Testament teaches us to hate and kill your enemies **OVER 70 TIMES**. Whereas the New Testament teaches us to hate and kill your enemies **ZERO TIMES**
AND SO LITTLE DAVID HAS LIED OVER 70 TIMES**
In the OT God ordered Israel to **KILLTHEIR ENEMIES** many times and God helped them do it. However in the NT Jesus commands in Luke 6:27-29: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also."
Matthew 5:43,44: Jesus says, "You have heard that is was said, {in the OT} 'Love your neighbor and **HATE YOUR ENEMY**.' But I tell you. love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven!!"
Whereas in the OT in Leviticus 26:7,8: God said to Israel, "You will **PURSUE YOUR ENEMIES**, and they will fall by the **SWORD** before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and **YOUR ENEMIES WILL FALL BY THE SWORD** before you!"
Numbers 25:16,17" The Lord said to Moses, "Treat the Midianites as **ENEMIES AND KILL THEM*"!"
Numbers 32:20,21: Moses said to them, "if you will do this--if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the Lord until He has **DRIVEN OUT HIS ENEMIES** out before Him!!"
Deuteronomy 6:18,19: Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the Lord has promised on oath to your ancestors, **THRUSTING OUT ALL YOUR ENEMIES BEFORE YOU**, as the Lord said!
Deuteronomy 23:14: For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your **ENEMIES**to you!
Deuteronomy 28:7 The Lord will grant that your **ENEMIES** who go up against you will be defeated before you!
Deuteronomy 30:7: The Lord your God will put all these **CURSES ON YOUR ENEMIES**who hate and persecute you!
Another OT command in Exodus 21:23-25 "If there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, **EYE FOR EYE, TOOTH FOR TOOTH**, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise."
This was also changed by these NT commands by Jesus:
Matthew 5:38,39: Jesus commands, "You have heard that it was said {In Exodus 21:23-25 above}, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also!"
Luke 6:27-29: Jesus commands, "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you. do not demand it back!"
Luke 6:27-30: Jesus says, "Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if someone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back!"
Luke 6:33-36: Love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your **REWARD** will be great and you will be children of the Most High because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as you Father is merciful!"
Matthew 18:21,22: Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister {or wife} who sins against me? Up to 7 times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you not 7 times but 77 times!" {Also can be translated 70 times 7 times!}
I Peter 3:9: Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called that you may **INHERIT A BLESSING**!
Matthew 5:9: Jesus the **PRINCE OF PEACE** says, "Blessed are the **PEACEMAKERS**, for they will be called the **CHILDREN OF GOD**!"
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: For though we live in the world, **WE DO NOT MAKE 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!
Ephesians 6:17: Take the helmet of salvation and the **SWORD** OF THE SPIRIT** which is the **WORD OF GOD**!!
**THE ONLY SWORD BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS MAY USE IS THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT WHICH IS THE **WORD OF GOD**!!
2 Corinthians 10:3,4: "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."
Matthew 26:52: "All who draw the **SWORD** will die by the **SWORD**!"
**HOW DO WE FIGHT THE **GOSPEL OF PEACE**??
Ephesians 6:14-17: Stand firm then, with belt of Truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the **GOSPEL OF PEACE**. in addition to all this, take up the shield of Faith, with which you can extinguish all the arrows of the Evil One. Take the helmet of Salvation and the **SWORD OF THE SPIRIT**, which is the **WORD OF GOD**!!
Hebrews 4:12: For the Word of God is alive and active, **SHARPER THAN ANY DOUL|BLE-EDGED SWORD, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit and it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart!!
I Peter 2:20-23: If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, THAT YOU SHOULD FOLLOW IN HIS STEPSt .... When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges Justly!
I Peter 3:8,9,11: Finally, all of you, be like minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. **DO NOT REPAY EVIL FOR EVIL** or insult with insult. On the contrary, **REPAY EVIL WITH BLESSING**, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For... "They must turn from evil and do good; they **MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT**!"
Romans 14:17-19: For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, **PEACE** and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God an receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do **WHAT LEADS TO PEACE**!
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort **TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH EVERYONE**!
Matthew 5:43-45: Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' {As per the OT}. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven!"
Matthew 6:14,15: Jesus says, "If you forgive other people who sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, you Father will not forgive your sins!"
John 18:36: Jesus says, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest. But now My Kingdom is from another place!"
Luke 23:33,34: When they came to the place of the Skull, they crucified Him there... Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!"
Romans 12:19-21: Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On 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. Do not be overcome by evil, but **OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD**!
I Peter 4:8-10: Above all, **LOVE** each other deeply, because **LOVE** covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms!
Colossians 3:12-15: As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on **LOVE**, which binds them all together in perfect unity! Let the **PEACE OF CHRIST** rule in your hearts. since of members of one body, you were **CALLED TO PEACE**!
Isaiah 9:6,7: For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and **PRINCE OF PEACE**. Of the greatness of His government and **PEACE** there will be no end!!
Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus says, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me! Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.... Teaching them to **OBEY EVERYTHING** I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age!"
JESUS WAS NO PAGAN PACIFIST NOR DID HE TEACH FALSE PACIFISM
Posted : 23 Nov, 2019 07:37 AM
Poor Richard doesn’t know the difference between loving our personal enemies (which is taught in both testaments) and steps taken to safe guard national security thus protecting innocent individual or group victims from terrorism or nefarious criminal activity.
Jesus never taught us to just stand down and allow evil to destroy others
JESUS WAS NO PAGAN PACIFIST NOR DID HE TEACH FALSE PACIFISM
Posted : 23 Nov, 2019 07:42 AM
It’s very unfortunate whenever an unreasonable unteachable false teacher drags the beauty scripture thru the gutter of his own muddied distortions of good theology
JESUS WAS NO PAGAN PACIFIST NOR DID HE TEACH FALSE PACIFISM
Posted : 23 Nov, 2019 07:54 AM
In all this time, Richard still ***can’t distinguish between*** Israel’s >>national enemies<< who sought to utterly destroy Israel from off the face of the earth and domestic >>enemies<< at the personal level who were often fellow citizens that were argumentative, dishonest or otherwise abusive people.
Obviously we can’t go around killing everyone who slaps us on the cheek. But certain Jews in Jesus day were actually using the law to justify retaliation at the local level against their own fellow countrymen or even foreigners
JESUS WAS NO PAGAN PACIFIST NOR DID HE TEACH FALSE PACIFISM
Posted : 23 Nov, 2019 09:24 AM
Jesus did say stand down and let Evil destroy Us. Evil men are coming into our Country and many are already here for Years. Thank God our millary is trying to help keep us safe. Also it's ok to have a weapon in defense of a Evil intruder.
JESUS WAS NO PAGAN PACIFIST NOR DID HE TEACH FALSE PACIFISM
Posted : 23 Nov, 2019 09:58 AM
Isaiah 9:6,7: For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Mighty God and **PRINCE OF PEACE**. Of the greatness of His government and **PEACE** THERE WILL BE NO END**!
Philippians 3:19,20: Their mind is on earthly things . But **OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN**. And we eagerly wait a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ!!
**EVERY OATH** that you swear to is **CONDEMNED* and is **FROM THE EVIL ONE** in the New Testament era!!
When you join the military and become a professional killer you must make a **VOW** that you will obey all the commands of your commanding officer. And so if He commands you to drop an Atomic Bomb that will kill about 100,000 civilians including about 25,000 innocent children you must obey this command!!!
The following **OATH** is given by a officer in the US army to be repeated by all army recruits while they raise their right hand:
I, _____, do solemnly *SWEAR* that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. **SO HELP ME GOD**."
What is the OT command concerning *VOWS* and *OATHS*?? Numbers 30:2: Moses said, "This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a *VOW* to the Lord or takes an *OATH* to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said!"
What are the NT commands concerning making *VOWS* and **OATHS*??
James 5:12: "ABOVE ALL, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or **YOU WILL BE CONDEMNED**!"
Matthew 5:33-37: Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said to your people long ago {Numbers 30:2 above}, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' BUT I tell you, Do not swear at all....Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No, 'No'; anything beyond this comes **FROM THE EVIL ONE**!!"
And so **EVERY OATH** that you swear to is **CONDEMNED* and is **FROM THE EVIL ONE** in the New Testament era!!
Philippians 3:19,20: Their mind is on earthly things . But **OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN**. And we eagerly wait a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies that will be like His glorious body!
Now I ask you, how can any true Christian take such an **OATH** in good conscience? How can the follower of Christ pledge faith to a manmade constitution that might require him to compromise his fidelity to the commands of the Gospel? How can a **CITIZEN IN HEAVEN** (Philippians 3:20 above) pledge allegiance to a secular government that requires him to defend it? How can a Christian swear to obey the orders of any president or any officer that commands us? How can a Christian swear to place faith in any organization, institution, or document other than Christ, and His Word?
I Corinthians 4:6: Do not go beyond that which is written!!
Matthew 28:18-20: ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... Teaching them to **OBEY EVERYTHING** I have commended you!" {Which would include Matthew 5:33-37 above!!}
Notice that there is no “conscience clause” in the soldier’s oath. In taking the oath, the soldier willingly relinquishes his choice as to which orders he will obey. If any of our commanders gives an order, the soldier has pledged to obey it – even if that order violates his Christian conscience like killing your enemies which is forbidden in God's Word or a strike that may also kill innocent civilians and children, the Christian soldier has pledged to carry out that order.
Of course, the Christian soldier is always free to renege on his oath. He can always choose to disobey those orders he deems to be unjust or unchristian, and he will have to suffer the very severe consequences. But why would any Christian willingly take such a pledge to begin with, knowing that in doing so he is promising to obey a secular government that condones immorality?
To swear unconditional allegiance and obedience to anything other than Christ, His word, and His Church is a very dangerous thing. Our Lord was very clear that we cannot serve two masters: Matthew 6:24: Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” A born again Christian must never take an oath to defend a manmade constitution and he will never swear allegiance to a government that defends the slaughter of innocents. Like an order by President Truman to drop two atomic bombs that will both kill over 100,000 innocent civilians and over 25,000 innocent children!! {Jesus commands many times **NEVER** to hurt the little children!!}
Colossians 3:12-15: As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on **LOVE**, which binds them all together in perfect unity! Let the **PEACE OF CHRIST** rule in your hearts. since of members of one body, you were **CALLED TO PEACE**!
Isaiah 9:6,7: For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and **PRINCE OF PEACE**. Of the greatness of His government and **PEACE** there will be no end!!
Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus says, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me! Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.... Teaching them to **OBEY EVERYTHING** {Including Matthew 5:33-37 above} I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age!"
**JESUS SAYS, "ALL WHO DRAW THE SWORD WILL DIE BY THE SWORD** **TAKE THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD** **THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND ACTIVE SHARPER THAN ANY DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD** Matthew 26:52--Ephesians 6:17--Hebrews 4:12
