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I would appreciate your opinion on the following material. If you can think of pro or con scriptures, I would also like to see them. I plan on keeping this material on my computer and would like it to be as accurate and up to date as possible. I will appreciate any input you can give me.
Today many people feel that God is directly controlling the events of this world. Some believe that he has backed certain nations in the wars of this century. But is this really true? Is there a nation in existence today that is doing the will of God? When Israel was God's chosen people they had his backing. Jehovah gave them great victories over their enemies. At the same time, God destroyed some very wicked people. People who offered their sons and daughters to pagan gods, by throwing them in the fire.
The nations of that time felt they had the right to do as they wanted. They went to war over land and just plain greed and hatred. They were not going to change their ways and worship the Creator as all of us today should. They did not want to give up their self-rule. Of course, they felt that their gods were true, and that their lifestyle was approved by their gods. Most world rulers have had the same attitude throughout the centuries. They have felt that God was working out his purpose through them, regardless of their actions. The same is true of the nations today.
In World War I b II, the major religions of the world took sides in the conflict. That led to Protestants killing Protestants and Catholics killing Catholics. Both sides prayed for God's guidance and protection. Which side would God support? Would He support both sides, one against the other? Many sincere Catholics believe that God supported the U.S. Yet German and Italian Catholics prayed for and supported the Germans and Italians in the war. Only one side could win, and the winning side claimed that God was with them. It has been thus for thousands of years.
But, does the Bible show that God backs this world, including the rulers and people who have a religion? Consider this: God's power is awesome. He created the universe, which includes billions of galaxies, each containing many billions of stars. In addition, God has infinite wisdom. If God, with his Power and wisdoml were backing a particular nation(s), would they have experienced so much violence, war, injustice, and suffering for so many centuries? Would not such divinely favored nations have won easily and quickly? Jehovah did give his people great victories as the Bible shows.
Would God direct national leaders and millions of their people to go to war and kill other national leaders and millions of their people who also claim to be directed by God? Is that reasonable? If that were true, what hope would any of us have? If the world was only God's plaything, upon which he played wargames, what hope would there be for us? Certainly, mercy and forgiveness of our sins, would not be of interest to such a bloodthirsty god.
Fortunately for us, our Creator is a loving and caring God. As you yourself have said! He even offered up his beloved Son for us! Think of that, would you offer up your son to save say all the workers at our plant? That would include the drunks, the gays, even those who may of wronged you. As a parent, I don't know if I could offer up my son. Would you able to do so? But you would also have to see the people torture and then kill your son. Notice what John 3:16 says: "God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlastinn life."
Did you know that love was to be a quality that would mark True Christians. Notice the following scriptures:
John 13:34, 35 : "I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have among yourselves."
John 15:12, 13 : "This is my commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you. No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul in behalf of his friends."
1 John 3:16 : "By this we have come to know love, because that one (Jesus) surrendered his soul for us; and we are under obligation to surrender our souls for our brothers."
1 John 4:20, 21 : "If anyone makes the statement: 'I love God,' and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, that the one who loves God should be loving his brother also."
These scriptures make it very clear, those not showing true love, are not doing God's will. They are not children of God. In fact, those taking part in the slaughter of war, are Satan's children! Notice how 1 John 3:10 puts it: "The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact: Everyone who does not carry on righteousness does not originate with God, neither does he who does not love his brother."
Some may say, "but the people of that country are not my brothers." But, is that really true? Are not people of the same religion, supposed to be spiritual brothers? Also, since we all come from Adam and Eve, (same parents) are we not also fleshly brothers and sisters? Certainly, those who followed Jesus while he was on earth, were of different families (as we are today), yet as Christianity spread out in those early years, they all Loved one another. They did not fight in wars and kill each other.
The apostle Paul was a Roman citizen, yet he did support Rome in its suppression of others. Can you imagine the apostles, taking opposing sides in a conflict and killing one another? That would be completely against what Jesus taught them and in turn us! Notice how far our love for one another should go: "You heard that it was said. 'You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you; that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens. For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not the people of the nations doing the same thing?" (Luke 6:28, 32, 33)
Certainly, the religions of the past and present who support their perspective nations in time of war, are not doing the will of God! Only Satan, the 'god of this system of things' gains pleasure from such slaughter. The actions of those religions show just how splintered and unloving they are. There is no true unity. If they were truly united in love and worship, they would not of killed one another on the battlefield. And without them to do the fighting, there would of been no war. Thus, instead of supporting our Creator and His plans for a restored earth, they in effect supported Satan's plans. Which is to lead as many away from serving God as possible, and to ruin the earth. With all the warfare, crime, hate, and pollution, you can see that the whole world is in Satan's power or influence.
The Bible tells us at 1 Corinthians 14:33 that "God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace." Further, Paul tells those who are truly God's people: "Now I exhort you, brothers, through the .name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you should all speak in agreement, and that there should not be divisions among you, but that you may be fitly in the same mind and in the same line of thought." (1 Corinthians 1:lO) If any among God's people do not conform to this standard, what then? Romans 6:17 counsels us: "Now I exhort you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them."
So national and religious divisions and conflicts are clear evidences that God is not backing such nations, religious leaders, and their followers. Remember, that in ancient times, when God fought for His people, the victories were decisive and complete. Why in one night, one angel killed 185,000 Assyrians! (2 Kings 19:35-37) Certainly, neither World War would have lasted very long if God were actually backing one side or the other.
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