When I read previous questions about Jesus and our current war, I see people quote- "If you do not have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." and "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword." meaning we are to fight (their definition)
If you believe He was telling us to fight, is that what Jesus did when He was crucified?
Which is it, do as He says or do as He does? or do you think he may have been saying something else?
My intent is not to offend anyone, just to understand both views.
2007-07-31 03:04:19 · 10 answers · asked by karen s 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think I remember Jesus saying "Love thy enemy" and "Turn the other cheek". Dosen't sound like war to me...
Edit: John F - sure I use to think the the bible was really really vague because just about anything can be supported with it, but then I realized that each verse goes with like a story in the bible to complete it and you see so many just picking one verse out of the bible... and when you just look at each verse as independent then they can start to become misinterpreted , but if you look at all the verses together as like a story or an overall picture then you start to see the true meaning of it.
God Bless
2007-07-31 03:11:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The short answer: Live by the example of Christ.
"If you believe He was telling us to fight, is that what Jesus did when He was crucified?" My answer: Yes.
The scripture that you referenced i.e.,"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword." is misrepresented alot. Anyone that has ever researched the Bible should know that it's the Sword of the Spirit (i.e. our mouths) that was being talked about, not guns, not tanks, and not weapons of mass destruction.
Christ did tell us to fight, but in a different way. It is a sin to kill period. It doesn't matter if the victim is Osama Bin Laden or Aunt Bee, there is no justification in killing someone. Now the Bible infers about how it is the role of a government to execute criminals, but it also says that the government will also be held to account as well. According to the Bible, GOD is to be our vindicator, not governments.
Christ told us to be Warriors of the Spirit. This doesn't mean go join the Army and kill the enemies of the USA. We're supposed to fight spiritual evil, not fight and kill people half a world away thats under the influence of evil. I'm not talking about Islam being evil either. I'm talking about people who have twisted Islam, turning it into something that it is not.
2007-07-31 03:51:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea that Jesus started a 'war' is untrue and gives rise to the idea that Christianity is justified in being an aggressive force, which is the total opposite of Jesus's true message. The 'war' you may be referring to is perhaps the belief of some Christians, of a particular sort, that Jesus came to fight against the devil, which is partly true, but was not the only reason he came, and he didn't start the fight. God and the devil have been 'warring' since God created the earth. Essentially they are both fighting for the souls of mankind but it was the devil who began the war by deliberately choosing to oppose God. And humans who deliberately oppose God in their lives, in whatever form, pitch themselves on the wrong side of the battlefield. Because God loves the world and humankind, He sent Jesus into the world to teach us about how to live in the way that he intended us to live from the start, before it all went wrong and we decided to follow the devil and his evil ways. But this is an entirely spiritual battle and as such Jesus is a symbol of peace, not of war, in that he died on the cross so that our souls may be reconciled to God on earth, before we die and face judgement. There is a problem, however, when Christians use military language to refer to Christ because 'wars' between nations and peoples are human problems and Christ is not responsible for any of them. If this is perceived it is because human-beings have started the war in his name and not because he really started it! For example, when Martin Luther started the Reformation within the Catholic church, he did not expect that his 'followers' would then go onto destroy Catholic churches and tear down statues of the Virgin Mary. Jesus can indeed 'set people free' but this is usually referred to in a spiritual sense and means that he has the power to set people free from the power the devil has over them, if they consciously choose to seek his help. But it wasn't a case of him 'starting' any war when he came to earth as it had already begun in the spiritual realm.
2016-05-18 22:38:38 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was NEVER involved in war.
His direction to buy a sword was for the purpose of protecting themselves against the many wild animals throughout the middle east at the time. Including middle east lions and bears.
The lions are now extinct, having been cleaned out by the Romans for use in their FORUMS.
2007-07-31 03:35:14 · answer #4 · answered by pugjw9896 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When we interpret the bible, we should read the text (in this case Matthew Chapter 10) to get conclusion. Jumping at one verse alone will mislead us.
The Jews expecting Jesus being the Messiah to save them from Roman's oppression (peace) and establish God's earthly kingdom. However, this is not Jesus intent.
Jesus teaching is authoritative True and sharp to it point, hearer will be face with decision-making. " For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Will they change their ways to follow God or continue to walk in ways?
2007-07-31 03:30:47 · answer #5 · answered by Antonia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says, "there will be wars and rumors of war." The Lord doesn't like war either, but all the wars down through the ages served a purpose for how we got to where we are today. The first war was in heaven when Satan was cast out--war is sometimes necessary to maintain order in the earth--against those who would like to destroy good.
Remember! God also judges the heart of a man and the Bible also says, "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
2007-07-31 03:13:50 · answer #6 · answered by heavnbound 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Luke 3:14
And 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.
Matthew 26:52
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.
Jesus did not come to fight with flesh and blood.
The division Jesus brought was with religion. Spiritual.
2007-07-31 03:20:33 · answer #7 · answered by Old Hickory 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He came to die for us.He never said war was wrong to defend your country.He went willingly,you couldn't have stopped the crucifixtion if you wanted.He even talked about ,how a King needs to sit down and figure if going to war is worth it or if one should make peace because of the cost.
2007-07-31 03:09:32 · answer #8 · answered by AngelsFan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Pauline Gospel goes with war.
The Original Kingdom Gospel goes with peace. We are being exposed to the first more than the second.
A fun free read on this.. Chapter 23 in particular....
2007-07-31 03:09:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus did not tell us to go to war.
Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you." (Matthew 5:43, 44). Jesus did not approve war nor he told his followers to go to war. you here it clearly states tht we should love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us, people who persecute you, meaning people that treat you bad.
you may also remenber Peter, look what he did and what Jesus told him to do.
Matthew 26:47-52.
51 But, look! one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest and took off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him: “Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father to supply me at this moment more than twelve legions of angels?
You clearly see here that Jesus did not approved what peter did.
We as true christian should not take revenge agains any one, revenge will be taking by God. Romans 12: 17 Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, as far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.” 20 But, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.” 21 Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.
You see here it clearly saids what we should,
I hope this helps.
2007-07-31 03:15:10 · answer #10 · answered by macja5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋