Title Deuteronomy 20:10~20 (2011.5.6)
Contents
Title: War and Peace
Main text: (Deuteronomy 20:10-20)
Hymns: 350 chapters. what we will fight
Date: May 6, 2011 (Fri) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
War and peace are both ends and means in realizing their respective values. Some fight for peace, and some give up peace for war's sake. The text teaches the fundamental attitude that the saints should take toward war. Let's take a look together.
1. Peace if you can (verse 10)
Peace in the Bible does not mean the absence of conflicts or problems. Nor is it convenience. Peace without principles does not exist. True peace means the realization of the truth. Sometimes war is an unavoidable process to achieve peace. But the Bible teaches, “If possible, be reconciled to all men” (Romans 12:18). Whenever possible, war should be a last resort. This is also true in human relationships. Peace must be achieved through dialogue and persuasion rather than a physical solution. It is not easy to make peace with everyone. This requires patience and wisdom.
2. Hate sin (verse 16)
The Bible commands that all men be killed and all women, children, and livestock drunk when war is unavoidable. Even wars fought under God's providence are the result of God's mercy to refrain from cruelty and bloodshed as much as possible. Nevertheless, there are exceptions. If your opponent is a person living in the land of Canaan, you must destroy it. In a way, this seems like a very cruel rule. However, it contains God's will to establish God's justice and keep his faith. It means not to compromise in the slightest about the possibility of sin that can pollute and destroy the kingdom of God. We often compromise with sin through romantic humanitarianism and unprincipled forgiveness. After all, they will become traps that hold us back in the future. Sin is something that needs to be rooted out. We need to clarify our attitude toward sin.
3. Minimize the damage (verses 19-20)
Israel must not ax trees in occupied territories. If it is a tree that does not bear fruit, he tells you to use it for making equipment. Here we can know the Lord's laws of war. An important criterion in determining the object of annihilation is whether it is detrimental to protecting the spiritual purity and holiness of God's people. If not directly related, destruction should be minimized to preserve life and use. The Lord's wars are not emotional vengeance or wrath, but the practice of righteousness and the judgment of sin. Today, humans are destroying nature and threatening ecosystems not only through war but also through industrial development. We should cherish and protect nature while thanking God for His grace.
The fight of believers has a clear cause. It is for the kingdom of God. It is for truth and love, justice and peace. Cherish life, but hate sin. Seeking peace, but eradicating evil. True peace can be enjoyed by conquering sin.
<Prayer>
1. May we win every day in the spiritual warfare!
2. Let the morning prayer meeting revive, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit overflows!
3. Heal the sick and restore souls in distress!