WAR IN IRAQ
Exodus 15:1-11
Rom 12:18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Founded on the Word of God
Founded and led by men who loved the Lord God & His Son Jesus Christ
Today, led by a man that has a testimony of being a follower of Jesus Christ.
Led by a man of prayer and a man who reads the Scriptures
A nation of law/order/justice
More gospel preaching churches than ANY other nation
More missionaries than ANY other nation
More Scriptures printed & sent than ANY other nation
A nation that is kind & generous to its poor, and poor around the world.
A nation that defends helpless nations and helps nations in need
SADDAM HUSSEIN & IRAQ
Founded on a false god, false religion, false prophet, and false "scriptures"
Iraq led by a man who is evil
His 2 sons, which are leaders, are even more evil than their daddy
Stories of torture that should not be told here and now.
The gassing of 100's of Thousands
He supports terrorist ($25K for suicide bombers to kill Jews) ($10 Million in the last 2 years)
He hates God's people - Israel
WAS planning on retaliating against the US because of the '91 Gulf War in which we LIBERATED Kuwait.
NOTE:
A great deal of "Christianity" is against war - period.
Pope - against this war. Anglican church - against this war.
The wife of a M*A*S*H* type of doctor deployed this week was told Christians should not go to WAR
NOTE:
One of the characteristics of God is PEACE.
Isa. 9:6 - PRINCE OF PEACE
Rom. 12:18 - If it be possible … live peaceably with all men
Matt. 5:44 - love your enemies
Matt. 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers
*many other references to peace in the Scriptures
What about WAR?
Is there ever a time that it is right to go to war?
Are there times when it is right to draw weapons and to fight?
YES
Just as there are many references to PEACE in the Scriptures - There are many references to God-ordained WAR.
ECC 3:1-8
Study the word "RESIST" in the Scriptures. We are not to PASSIVELY accept EVIL … but to RESIST
RESIST - strive or fend off.
HOW DOES GOD FEEL ABOUT WAR?
GOD'S PERSPECTIVE
You cannot read the Old or New Testament without realizing that God is closely connected to WAR
Some pacifist will hold up Jesus as their example, but they have ignored Rev. 19:11-16!
Look at the NT passage that honors mighty men of WAR - Hebrews 11:32-34
Jesus cleansing the Temple of moneychangers.
Look at what King David had to say - 2 Sam. 22:35-41
God fought time and time again for the Israeli armies - 1 Chron. 14:15
God gave instructions concerning WAR - Pro. 20:18 & Pro. 24:6
God left nations in the Jewish land so that they could learn WAR - Judges 3:1-2
AND MANY, MANY MORE …
GOD'S PURPOSE
1. Defense
Protection against aggression
Luke 22:36 - Buy a sword
God has instituted governments for protection
REMEMBER - Ultimately, God is the true protector.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. (Pro 21:31)
2. Liberation
Gen. 14:14 - Abraham armed trained servants against 4 Kings divided up and defeated, and LIBERATED Lot, his goods, Women, and the people.
1 Sam. 30:1-19 - David, upon the word of the Lord left the devastated Ziglag, perused the Amalekites, smote them, rescued his two wives, and sons, daughters, and spoil.
3. Discipline, Judgment, and to stop EVIL
Romans 13:1-6 David … against Goliath. IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?
4. Preserve Freedom
Numbers 31 & 32 - God tells Israel to fight the Midianites & get angry when they don't WAR.
They POSED A DANGER
WILL THE WORLD EVER HAVE PERMANENT PEACE?
Isa. 2:2-4