Look to the image on the right. Could you stand in the shoes of those men and face what they faced? These and many other men were someones son, brother, father, husband or friend. Each had volunteered their lives for the freedom of others. To them we owe much. The greatest argument in the world would possibly be, "is war right?" Yes and no. It is an oxymoron but it is true. War is only right when it is done in the defense of your home, family and country. Defensive is not an offensive. Let me show you God's rules of war and maybe you can see where it is right.
It hurts God to see his children fight.
I want to start in the Bible. There is always some kind of war going on in the Bible. But how often did Israel invade another country? There are a few instances such as the Book of Joshua, and the Books of Kings (1 Sam - 2 Kings). Most of the time Israel was defending it's borders whether from Egypt or Babylon. The ten commandments did say, "Thou shalt not kill" but it does not say, "Thou shalt suffer yourselves to bear ever affliction even to the darkest prison." God forbids war as a means of gain. That is stealing. But in order for God's laws or (if you don't believe in God) for your rights and privileges to be preserved there must be a means of defending them. Sad to say you must fight for them. War is evil, there is no denial of it. I am sure that it hurts God to see his children fight. But I know that until men learn to set aside their selfish interests and hate there will be no ended to war. To give you an example of what will happen if you were to lose your freedoms, look at the Holocaust during World War II. Evil men will do the most despicable things to show supremacy over another. Everyone cannot disagree that such behavior would be right if they were to happen to yourself. Neither is it right for that to happen to another. God has commanded all his people to defend themselves to bloodshed if needs be. BUT, they are not to be aggressors! If someone makes a life threatening action against yourself your are justified in self defense.
The Lord has also commanded us to be peaceful and avoid war. But the latter is impossible. There will always be someone to try and destroy another. We never know who it is, or where they will come from. Therefore war is necessary to protect ourselves from a person who wants us as subjects. Those who love war do so because it brings them money or power, or they just enjoy watching people suffer, they have the greatest mark on their heads. You might as well say they have the mark of Cain. Their death is almost guaranteed to be by the hands of others.
"Speak softly, and carry a big stick" - Theodore Roosevelt
Leaders of nations who command innocent men and women to fight their wars for them are responsible for the sufferings of others. It is not the soldiers fault. President George Washington had said, "Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession." May I add that freedom was never prized so much until it was lost. If you are not willing to fight for your freedoms, I understand. I'm not all up for it either. But at least show some support for those who have had to experience it.
I would love the day when swords will be beat into plow shears and the art of war is forgotten. But so long as there are ruthless men out there seeking the destruction of others there will always be a need for defense. May God continue to strengthen and assist the men and women in uniform who are fighting for the freedom of others.
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