Should a Christian Fight?

Is enlisting in the military the right course of action for Christians? What if the military is combating terrorism? And what about the wars mentioned in the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.?

As a light fog settles like a death shroud, Jonathan settles into position on the wooded hill above the shattered village. Already secreted in the rubble of a bombed-out school, DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. nestles his heavy weapon on a section of wall cushioned by his camouflage jacket. Both young men systematically scan the fog through the telescopic sights atop their sniper rifles seeking living, enemy soldiers as targets.

Snipers must be ultimately loyal, highly disciplined, keen of eye, quick of reflex and determinedly calculated. Jonathan and DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. work hard to be the best in their precision profession, as well they should, having attended the same school.

Suddenly, Jonathan senses slight movement in the ruins below. DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. detects a flicker of light in the trees above. Instantly their rifles move, and through sinister scopes they recognize each other...

They attended the same BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. school. They last ate together at a Christian fall festival only a few months before DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. was called back to his native land to join its army, just as Jonathan was inducted into the U.S. Marines. Both dedicated themselves to their nations' causes and excelled in their military training. Now on opposite sides of the war, these two young friends wince with recognition a short rifle shot apart as simultaneously their trained fingers pull fateful triggers.

Cut! Cut! Stop the action! What's wrong with this picture?

How can a true Christian shoot or kill a brother in the faith of Jesus Christ? How can the physical cause of one's country be greater than the spiritual cause of the Kingdom of God? How could a Christian ever use violent, aggressive force against a fellow human? Should a follower of Christ even serve in the military? Should a Christian fight?

The introductory scenario of this article is far too potentially real and surreal. In nearly every war in past centuries, soldiers of the same religious faiths followed their different nations' military orders to murder each other in battle. Could this ever happen in the Church of God? Yes, unless you understand the example of Jesus and the teaching of God about military service, war and violence.
Core values

As Christians we live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
See All...). We strive to obey the Ten Commandments and all their ramifications for our lives (Exodus 20; Matthew 19:18-19 [18] He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
[19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

See All...), including the command not to murder.

We also know from our earliest knowledge of God's way of life that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that every human being is made in the image of God and is our neighbor (Luke 10:25-37 [25] And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
[26] He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
[27] And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
[28] And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
[29] But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
[30] And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
[31] And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
[32] And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
[33] But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
[34] And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
[35] And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
[36] Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
[37] And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

See All...). We know that God is love (1 John 4:8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
See All...), that love is the greatest of all the qualities of God's character (1 Corinthians 13:13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
See All...) and is to be therefore of ours. We know that "love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Romans 13:8-10 [8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
[9] For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

See All...).

Since love does no harm to a neighbor, how can a Christian in good conscience be a part of a military organization whose avowed purpose and design is to kill people and break things?
Jesus and the apostles

Did Jesus Christ join the military or use violent, deadly force during His life on earth? Jesus of Nazareth would have been strong and powerfully built. As a carpenter He worked with stone as well as wood and hiked all over the country during His ministry. Even in His teens He exuded a dynamic and magnetic personality to which all walks of people were drawn (Luke 2:46-52 [46] And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
[47] And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
[48] And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
[49] And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
[50] And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
[51] And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
[52] And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

See All...). His intellect and spiritual wisdom were rivaled by none. Jesus was a robust and forceful man, yet our MessiahA Hebrew word meaning literally "anointed one," synonymous with the Greek word christos, translated Christ. "In ancient Israel both persons and things consecrated to sacred purposes were anointed by having oil poured over them ... The Israelites did not think of crowning a king but of anointing him when he was enthroned ... [The future Messiah] is to destroy the world powers in an act of judgment, deliver Israel from her enemies, and restore her as a nation. The Messiah is the King of this future kingdom to whose political and religious domination the other nations will yield. His mission is the redemption of Israel and His dominion is universal. This is the clear picture of the Messiah in practically all of the OT passages which refer to Him" (The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, "Messiah"). was also the greatest man of faith and righteousness that has ever walked this earth.

With that in mind, realize that in regard to violence and war, Jesus never took a human life. He never acted violently toward another human being. When threatened with violence, He fled the scene avoiding confrontation (Luke 4:28-29 [28] And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
[29] And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

See All...; John 8:59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
See All...; 10:39). Even when Jesus drove the illegal money changers, livestock dealers and their animals from the Temple, the whip He made of cords was not used as a weapon (John 2:14-17 [14] And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
[15] And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
[16] And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
[17] And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

See All...; Matthew 21:12-13 [12] And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
[13] And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

See All...).

Among Jesus' 12 disciples there were only two violent incidents—both condemned by Him, and the first was only a threat. The brothers James and John wanted to call fire down from heaven to destroy a village of anti-Jewish Samaritans who refused to lodge Jesus and the disciples at their inns (Luke 9:51-56 [51] And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
[52] And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
[53] And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
[54] And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
[55] But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
[56] For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

See All...). Jesus scolded them, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." How can a Christian kill fellow humans Christ came to save? To do so denies Christianity.

The other case of violence occurred when Peter whacked off the ear of the servant of the high priest as Jesus was being arrested (John 18:10Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
See All...; Matthew 26:47-54 [47] And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
[48] Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
[49] And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
[50] And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
[51] And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
[52] Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
[53] Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
[54] But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

See All...). Peter probably wasn't aiming for the ear! But Jesus replaced and healed it (Luke 22:51And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
See All...), then rebuked the future apostle, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
See All...).

The place of a sword is in its sheath and better, as part of a plow of peace (Isaiah 2:2-4 [2] And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
[3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
[4] And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

See All...). Jesus' words for Peter are also aimed at us. Our violent impulses must be resisted and changed to attitudes and actions of peace. Isaiah proclaimed, "neither shall they learn war anymore," and neither should we today.

Bottom line: Christ's disciples learned to be nonviolent. Jesus Himself was not violent, never took human life and was not part of a military structure. We follow Christ, do what He says and do what He did (Matthew 7:21-27 [21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
[24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
[25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
[26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
[27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

See All...). Christians are not supposed to be violent.
Our allegiance to the Kingdom of God

What is the "manner of spirit" we are of then? Where is the faithful Christian's loyalty? Why specifically do we not fight? The answer has to do with the ultimate goal, primary motivation and driving spiritual force of one called by God to follow Christ at this time in history. It is to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
See All...).

As "ambassadors for Christ," the Church of God represents the soon-coming Kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 5:20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
See All...). No ambassador or diplomat in the world today joins the military forces or fights for the host nation where he works, but is to be adamantly loyal to his own country. So too, we owe our supreme, spiritual allegiance to God and His Kingdom—not to any physical nation of this world, for we are not of this world (John 17:14I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
See All..., 16, 18). This precludes our serving in the militaries or other violence-dealing agencies of our "host" countries.

It's a matter of citizenship. Although we love our respective physical nations of origin and strive to be law-abiding, productive citizens, we have an overarching citizenship in heaven, the headquarters of the Kingdom of God, from which our head of state, Jesus Christ, will soon come to bring true peace on earth (Philippians 3:20-21). If we immerse ourselves in the political and military actions of this world's nations, we lose our spiritual citizenship. Therefore we must first be ultimately loyal to the Kingdom of God.
A key passage

Is it that as Christians we're afraid to fight? Hardly. Ours is not a religion of saving-your-skin. We already have a battle to fight daily as we'll see, and we will fight alongside our Savior as resurrected, spirit children of God when Christ returns to enforce peace on earth for 1,000 years.

Jesus explained this to Pontius Pilate saying, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here" (John 18:36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
See All...). This is a key scripture showing that true Christians do not fight, are not violent and do not serve in the militaries of this world.
Questions

Inevitably, what-if and what-about questions rise regarding the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.'s teaching that true Christians are conscientious objectors to military service, war and violence. Such questions are all answerable from God's own Word.

What about Romans 13:1-7 [1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
[2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
[3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
[4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
[5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
[6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
[7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

See All...? Isn't a Christian supposed to be subject to the governing powers of his nation? Yes, he or she is. But if the government orders you to do what is against the law of God, like murder in war, then what do you do? You do what Peter and the other apostles said and did. When faced with such a choice, they said, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
See All...). Obey God first, even if it means suffering for doing so.

What about ancient Israel? Why did they fight, especially DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. who was called a man after God's own heart? The ancient nation of Israel was a kingdom owned by God and governed by His civil code. But all her people were not spiritually converted. They did not have a spiritual citizenship in heaven. Israel was a physical kingdom of this world, and thus fought. Since she had chosen to fight from early on, God executed certain judgments upon sinful nations through the weapons of Israel, including under King DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical.. (However, God was not pleased that DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. was a man of war and shed blood, and did not allow him to build the temple because of it, as 1 Chronicles 28:3But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.
See All... shows.)

Even then, Israel didn't have to fight because God had promised to fight her battles for her, if the Israelites would only turn to Him and trust Him (Exodus 14:14The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
See All...; Deuteronomy 1:29-32 [29] Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
[30] The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
[31] And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.
[32] Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,

See All...). At key times certain good kings like Asa, Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah did trust God to fight their battles—much to the detriment of their enemies (2 Chronicles 14, 20, 32).

After Christ, God replaced physical Israel with spiritual Israel, the Church of God, as His people. As Christians, servants of Christ, we belong to a spiritual kingdom. As Christ said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here" (John 18:36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
See All...). This is not our world and these are not our wars.

What about Cornelius? Identified as a centurion or noncommissioned officer in the Roman army, he was the first gentile baptized in the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. (Acts 10:1-8 [1] There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
[2] A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
[3] He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
[4] And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
[5] And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
[6] He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
[7] And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
[8] And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

See All..., 44-48). His example is claimed to show that Christians can and should fight for their countries. Claimed without evidence, however. Already a God-fearer, believing in the God of the Old TestamentThose books that make up the Hebrew Bible generally accepted by Christians, Jews and to some extent Muslims. It contains a threefold division: the Law (the five books of Moses), the Prophets and the Writings., at Peter's hand he was converted and received the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit.

Centurion Cornelius and his household were in the process of learning "what manner of spirit" they were to imitate. And that manner was and is the manner of peace not war, of peace not violence, of peace not military service, of obedience to God not to men. Since he had his whole household with him in Caesarea, he may have already retired from the Roman army. Whatever the case, he had to learn the truth about all aspects of his life, including war and violence, just as you are doing now.

What about John the Baptist telling soldiers in Luke 3:14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
See All..., "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely"? Modern translations use "intimidate," but the KJV reads "Do violence to no man." The Greek word means both, with the emphasis on violence. Therefore, John was telling soldiers to not be violent. Military service advocates eagerly point out that John did not specifically tell the soldiers to immediately leave the army. But think about it. Soldiers who wouldn't be doing violence anymore would be needing to find new careers.

If you don't hate him, is it OK to kill someone? This common military recruiter argument is an old concept originating in religions commonly viewed as Christian. In a speech in April of 1961, a priest and dean of Catholic University in Washington, D.C., summarized this long-standing belief: "A soldier may kill in time of war, but for him to kill in a spirit of hatred is not the proper Christian attitude."

Do you see where that idea is dead wrong? Do you see what is the right way of thinking? The proper Christian attitude is not to kill at all! The proper Christian attitude is to not even hate! The proper Christian attitude is to "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:43-48 [43] Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
[44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
[45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
[46] For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
[47] And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
[48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

See All..., 21-24)! God's way is fundamentally different from man's reasonings—and God's way is right (Isaiah 55:8-9 [8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
[9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

See All...).
The real war

As Christians, should we disregard the great sacrifice of those who put their lives on the battle line to defend their people—including us? By no means. Their dedication is heart-stirring and profound. But they act only on what they know. The real question is this: Are we as dedicated to the spiritual defense of our cause—the good newsThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . of the Kingdom of God? We have a different kind of battle to fight.

Our weapons are not made of steel, titanium and high explosives; our weapons are spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 [3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
[5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

See All...). We don't fight flesh and blood people; we fight wicked spirits in high places (Ephesians 6:12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
See All...). And we are already soldiers in this spiritual war that demands our ultimate loyalty.

"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:3-4 [3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
[4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

See All...). Be assured, the cause you were born to support is the ultimate cause. We will win this war of faith when Jesus Christ returns in the near future and we will then bring a peace to this earth that men have only dreamed about!

Postscript: There is no military draft in the United States at the moment, but future events may move the government in that direction. It is clearly possible that young women may come under the conscription law as well as men.

What should you do now? Study this subject in your BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.. Make the teachings of Jesus about military service, war and violence your own. This article is only a summary of that teaching. The United Church of God is preparing additional materials to assist you in your study. Please contact us to learn more.