Faith Baptist Church
4258 Botetourt Road
Fincastle, Virginia 24090
(540) 473-2325
This Sunday we honor those who have given their lives in defense of our freedoms in the United States of America.
If it were not for those who fought and died in the defense of our freedoms we would most likely not be assembled here today studying our Bibles. We could be like so many countries today where the Christian faith is outlawed. Jesus Christ is our Savior and because he is the Savior of so many Americans we must defend our freedoms to worship God in his name. We must be able to continue seeking his truth so we may remain free in our souls, Jn.8:32.
We must support those who defend our right to assemble for worship. Forget about all of the physical prosperity America stands to loose for a moment, and consider what it takes to have and enjoy our prosperity. If it were not for national peace none of our national prosperity would exist. Because men and women desire peace and safety to raise their families they must defend their peace at all costs.
Seeking international unity has lead naive men and women to work for world peace, often times at a sacrifice of our national freedoms, but if we have to sacrifice the peace of God found in Jesus Christ to have peace then we have no peace. We have been sold a bill of goods from certain individuals and groups in this country that all wars are wrong, that no nation of peoples is worth fighting and dying for. I can only think of two words to describe these folks, selfish cowards. If they didn’t have their present freedom they would think different than they do now about fighting to keep their freedom.
When our nation was going through its most historical time of economic suffering in the 1930’s, when men women and children were living from hand to mouth, with no jobs, no health care, and with no clear vision of the future Japan attacked us at Pearl Harbor on Dec.7,1941 . Adolph Hitler was overtaking Europe and giving speeches throughout Europe saying, “Today Europe, tomorrow the world”
During that world war the United States sustained 292,131 battle deaths and 115,187 deaths from other causes.
Because so many of these men died for our country we have the right of self-determination which includes the right to not only preserve our way of life, but to never let such an evil force take hold any where in the world.
More than 40 million military and civilian deaths are attributed to World War II and these numbers do not include over 6 million Jews killed by Hitler. I have heard preachers and church denominations and the public in general, say the church should not focus or speak on these issues. That the church should stay silent and neutral on subjects such as war and national policies. In other words stick to the Bible they portray and the door mat Christianity they prefer and let the politicians and military personnel handle world issues. I am always weary of those who tell me to look the other way, and keep quiet. For those alleged Christians who say this I contend they do not know the Bible very well, that they are afraid of confrontation, that they don’t want to get their hands dirty. The Bible has a lot to say regarding our freedom. It has a lot to say concerning military warfare, and the warrior. It has a lot to say to those who refuse to serve for conscientious purposes.
The Bible has a lot to say because God has spoken concerning these issues. He tells us in Rom.13:1-7 to respect and support those who defend our freedoms. We are to hold them accountable for their actions or inactions. Yes, I know the Bible says in I Tim. 2:1-3 that we are to pray for our leaders; that we are to live a quiet and peaceable life unto all godliness and honesty; that this is pleasing to God, but no where does the Bible say a nation of people are to take a passive approach to self-preservation. Not only is a God fearing nation to defend its boarders, it must go beyond its boarders to stop the aggression of evil men who seek world domination, whether they seek it for religions reason or just for the spoils of war, Num.32:5-23.
Rom.12:17-21 is often misquoted by peace nicks and conscientious objectors, but this passage has nothing to do with national security or self-protection. This passage deals with the believer’s testimony to lost individuals who are a pain in the side. This passage does not support vigilantism. We are to let the law handle trouble makers as much as possible and this is where the context of Rom.13 comes into play.
God has ordained human government for our welfare; that those who rule in authority do so for our good; that they should rule effectively so as to put down evil, both domestically and internationally; that those who must use force to suppress evil are ministers of God; that they do not bear their weapons in vain, and that they are called on by God to execute his wrath on people and governments which seek to impose their evil on others.
Judges 3:1-2: God tells nations to teach their young men how to war.
Josh.11:16-28: Teaches the objective of justifiable war and that is to bring about peace for the people.
Ps.46:8-11: Gives the method for securing peace when talks are useless and that is to take the wind out of the enemy’s sails as quick and decisive as possible. Remember, the objective is to get the war over as quick as possible.
Rom.13:7 We are called to render [the imperative mood is used here which means this is commanded by God] to show support to them and show honor to them. And this is what we are doing today. One of the kindest things a human being can do for another is stand in defense of another person or people. Some of the kindest people I have ever met wore the military uniform. The things they subject themselves to doing for our freedom are things most people will never want to know about. And yet many in the general population are quick to criticize the military and anyone such as a church or preacher who supports them. I don’t see how I can say I support the military if, as a public figure, I keep quiet. Whenever people attack those who support any of the laws of divine establishment, those institutions of free will, marriage, family and nationalism they are attacking the word of God. Thanking God for those who have died in the defense of our freedoms comes under the law of nationalism and free will. We support the laws of divine establishment. We know our nation and its leaders are not perfect, none of us are perfect, but the God who designed the principles of freedom is perfect, so we lift his name and his word up for people to see and praise.
We all pray for peace and we know until the Lord comes back there will be wars and rumors of wars. As long as we are here on this earth there are going to be evil men with evil intentions who are going to try to impose evil tyranny on others. They must be stopped or else their evil will grow. Mature Christians are responsible people who recognize trouble, and they also have learned from history to never let their guard down.