Pacifism: Martyrs vs. Christian Soldiers

After a long hiatus of Christmas, hectic life, and a broken foot, I am FINALLY getting back to you on this. I pray you're feeling better as well... I am up to "not on Percocet during the day" so my brain is back (insofar as it was here in the first place - grin).
...
Coming from a religious tradition that had us singing, “I’m in the Lord’s Army” as children and “Onward Christian Soldier” as adults, the concept of pacifism is definitely alien to me. Your assertions, however, were certainly a challenge and I’ve been mulling them seriously. (You know the more intense the conversation the longer it takes me to get back to you).

I sit and I think and review in my head, all the Bible I know. The Sermon on the Mount, the Lord’s instructions to His disciples, Paul’s discourses, the examples of the early Christian saints and martyrs. That compares to the Old Testament, conquering and defending and the Revelation, where our Lord returns, sword in hand. What I end up with is a paradox. The paradox that a Christian, serving the government, can righteously bear a sword – and then must lay that weapon down with his uniform at the end of the day, as we are indeed told to behave peaceably to all men. So – personal pacifism is the law (although it’s emphasized more as not seeking vengeance or giving way to anger, and much less to cheek-turning).

Our Lord doesn’t call us to martyrdom unless we’re able to bear it. NOTHING comes into our lives unless our Lord permits it. Suffering for Him is honorable, and death is to be preferred to life. We are enjoined to live in peace with all men, and that does let out those Karate classes.

Christians as soldiers and police – if we live in a society (and you and I both do) where most people claim Christianity – shall we leave the ‘dirty work’ of keeping the peace to non-Christians? If we did, it would certainly grow very dirty very quickly! I scanned most of the NT this morning – nothing in it says we are to avoid government service, including armed service. Can a Christian be a soldier of Christ, as a paladin? A good question. So long as he protects those other than himself, I think so.

Now, another piece of paradox: We’re at war. Yet we are at war in the spiritual realm, not the physical. See Ephesians 6:10-20. See LIFE. How often have you felt under attack? I know that I feel like that constantly! So… bear the sword of the Spirit, stand, pray. And suffer what the world dishes out, knowing that God is in charge and that if we obey Him in all things, His will WILL be done.

Thanks for the mental workout!