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ryman:
I thought I came across ray not supporting those who fight the enemy.

What's your guy's take in this verse?
He doesn't tell them to stop fighting and love their enemy does he?

Luke 3:14 ESV
Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."

Young's literal

LK 3:14 And questioning him also were those warring, saying, `And we, what shall we do?' and he said unto them, `Do violence to no one, nor accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.'

Violence? Is that not contradicting their job?

John from Kentucky:
No one with the Spirit of God within them can kill or be a soldier, whose job it is to kill at the behest of others.

Jesus said those who take the sword will die by the sword.

Only God can kill righteously because only He has the power to give life.



P.S.  For those without understanding, please do not quote the Scripture about Cornelius, who was a soldier and among the first of the gentiles to be baptized with the Spirit.  The Scriptures do not tell us that he remained a centurion.

lilitalienboi16:
Hi Ryman,

Can you please share the quote in question from ray where you feel their is contention? It would help greatly in addressing your question.

I searched real quickly the verse you feel is confusing. Two things to note quickly,

1. This is John the baptist speaking and the teaching of "love your enemies" came by Christ. John's understanding of God was still by way of the "veil." He still was living under the letter of the law that kills.

2. Only by the Holy Spirit come after Christ ascended back to heaven did the law of Spirit and life take affect because only by faith(that gift) and the Spirit of God in us can we abide in Christ.

As JFK stated, no one with the spirit of Christ will be a soldier whose job is to kill.

Luk 3:14 Now soldiers also inquired of him, saying, "What should we also be doing? And he said to them, "You should be intimidating no one, neither be blackmailing, and be sufficed with your rations." (CLV)

Notice here in this translation, there is nothing about not killing. Remember that the old testament commandment was "though shalt not MURDER." Killing and murdering are two different things.

That being said, Christ showed us that the law of God was and is spiritual and so goes beyond this by saying "Agape your enemies," "turn the other cheek," "leave room for the vengeance of God," (Paul) etc....

Romans 12:19 "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

Hope this helps some,
Alex

P.S. I feel I should add here that either way there is no contradiction between what John the baptist told these soldiers and what Christ taught.

ryman:
I agree. It would go against his character and everything he taught.

Its kind of funny though, how most churches do support the soilders to kill for freedom, they say its for freedom to worship a God that now says love your enemy. Freedom to worship a God that will himself torture billions. Its amazing.


You answered while I was writing. Thanks for that.

I've been reading so much I can't tell you at the moment on ray. I thought I came across it somewhere.

arion:
There are a lot of Christians in the military but not a lot of the chosen I would imagine.  I was in the military for years and ready to kill for my country.  And of course the chaplains job is to assuage the consciences of the soldier's because after all aren't we fighting for good against the 'terrorists' or in my day the 'Godless Communists'.  Yep....lets kill for Christ.  That boat doesn't float.

I thought at one time in my foolish youth that you can serve God and country.  Then I grew up.  It's simply not possible.  It's one or the other.  If I'm armed and someone attempts to murder me, my wife, kids, ect then I'll defend them.  But I will no longer wear a uniform and kill for those that are sitting safe and secure in their cozy palaces of power and have no regards for human life. 

And believe me I know all the arguments pro/con and I don't attempt to argue with people anymore.  God has to do a work in the heart and show us the truth of these things.

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