Why would a christian join the military or seek political office?

Question

(Matthew 5:43-44) . . .YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU


How can you love your enemies from the holding a trigger at them?

(Isaiah 2:4) . . .And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.

(John 15:19) 19 If YOU were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because YOU are no part of the world. 

So why would a christian want to become of political influence of this world. Would it better to show neutrality?

(Matthew 6:24) . . .No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. . .

Do you war for God or the political system of this world that Satan is ruler of (2 Corinthians 4:4) because is not so

(1 Corinthians 10:20) . . .I say that the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I do not want YOU to become sharers with the demons. . .

Why would a christian be involved in the political and military systems that organise and partake in the slaying and bloodbaths of the nations?
Should they not realise that it is a different war they should be fighting
(2 Corinthians 10:3-4)  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage warfare according to [what we are in the] flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things. 

(Ephesians 6:10-12) Finally, go on acquiring power in [the] Lord and in the mightiness of his strength. Put on the complete suit of armor from God that YOU may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; because we have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. 

Is it not the devil and his demons that christians should be fighting and not fleshly wars?

Answer 1

I agree with your military point of view. War goes directly against the teachings of Jesus and all other great spiritual teachers for that matter. I haven't given much thought to the political thing, I'll ponder that awhile.

Answer 2

Politics: To implement change and to be in a position to protect the spreading of the gospel.

Paul, when he was about to be killed, invoked his political status as a Roman citizen and demanded to be sent to Rome for a trial. In Acts, you read of the fear his captures had as he told them of this because they had beat him and they were not citizens. Paul could have had them thrown into prison or killed for what they did to him.

Military - for love of country and freedom. When Jesus was arrested, Peter took out his sword to attack those sent to arrest Jesus.

Peter was using the state of the art defense weapon of his time, and Jesus likely knew of the sword, why then did they carry arms?

Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple with a whip? Do you think He was popping it over His head saying, "now, you have to leave"? Or do you think He was tearing a little bit of flesh off the backs of those moneychangers getting their attention and convincing them to leave in a hurry? Notice that they didn't form a counterattack, didn't you? Why not? Because there is sometimes a time for Holy Anger and Righteous action.

You also asked: I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU . How can you love your enemies from the holding a trigger at them?

You are not going to pray them to not kill you, the purpose of the prayer is to let them know you are forgiving them. Forgiveness is the greatest act of love there is. And in doing so, you are heaping burning coals on their heads. What are these coals? Forgiveness of the judgment that would befall them if they were to die (without Christ) and without forgiveness.

Should they not realize that it is a different war they should be fighting.

Yes - Satan is the father of wars. Yet we fight them in the spirit and in the flesh. Ecclesiastes states "There is a time for war, and a time for peace".

Is it not the devil and his demons that Christians should be fighting and not fleshly wars?

Again, you fight Satan by the spirit. And you fight those that submit to Satan, in the flesh.

Answer 3

authentic Christians do not seek for political place of work, undergo in strategies, Jesus ran away to maintain from being made a political official. it rather is seen being area of the worldwide to which Christians are to have not any area of. Do you have confidence that each and every individual that wins place of work can end starvation,ailment,dying,killings,ailments,... No, so Why might Christians positioned their faith in a ethical guy who won't be able to even save himself? Jer. 10:23.23 I nicely understand, O Jehovah, that to earthling guy his way does not belong. It does not belong to guy who's walking even to direct his step. So if he won't be able to direst his steps, he easily won't be able to direct yours or mine.

Answer 4

To make Christian influence upon the world.

The world needs Christ!

We need more Christian influence in the world!!

STOP THE ACLU! as one poster called them anti-christian Lawyers union.

JR

Edit:

Danny N.

Thumbs up, Great answer!

Spead the Word!

Edit 2.

EnviroDude.

Thumbs up, that was a Great answer!!

:)

Answer 5

if you check your bible. Old or New Testement . It doesn't matter which.The stories of war are never ending. Killing during time of war for defense of your country is not only condoned. It is encouraged.
As for politics, there is no dishonour in trying to make things better. It is not politics that is dishonourabel. It is some politicians

Answer 6

Being a Christian does not preclude military service or political office. Show me in the Bible where this is a forbidden/sinful act.
Didn't think you could.

Answer 7

Exactly for the very same reasons a non-Christian would. Religion has nothing to do with anyone's personal career goals, IMO.

Answer 8

because soldiers need salvation and holy support, foo'. Hence chaplains.

As for political figures, sometimes it takes someone of good character and morals to make the best changes, like Abraham Lincoln.

Answer 9

"Is it not the devil and his demons that christians should be fighting and not fleshly wars?"

The devil and his demons?? Dude, invisible beings are make-believe, just like the Tooth Fairy and leprechauns.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

Answer 10

So they could hold a gun at the enemy and convert them
I convert you in the name of our God