In our world today we see war and violence everywhere it seems. From the fight of Ukraine for independence, Israel and Hamas fighting in Gaza. to violence in our schools and cities, it seems inescapable and impossible to get away from violence. Listen to the news and we are confronted with it. Many would claim as they are waging war and committing acts of violence that God is on their side and telling them to do what they are doing.
Others would go in the opposite direction and say God is for peace and anti-war They would say that to use God as a justification for war or violence is wrong and that God can never be pro-war and violence. Therefore all wars that are fought in the name of God or in the belief that God is on their side exclusively are wrong and a misrepresentation of who God is.
If we look at the Bible, especially in the Old Testament it’s full of war and violence. David who is called a man after God’s own heart is a general involved in killing many people. Does that mean God approves of war at least in certain circumstances? Moses, Joshua, Deborah, and David were good God-fearing people, yet they led armies in war. Throughout the Old Testament God is seen as being on the side of the children of Israel in the desert and on the side of Israel once it became a nation during the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon. When God is for them they win and lose when he is not. God is even called a man of war. (Exodus 15:3). Yet we also see especially in the ministry of Jesus, that God is presented as a God of love and peace. So what gives? Did God change his mind from being a God of war in the Old Testament and becoming a God of peace in the New Testament? Has God always been for peace and man who has misunderstood the true God and made him into their image? Something they could use and control for their benefit?
In trying to answer that question I would like to ask why mention war at all. Why not just talk about peace and getting along with each other? I believe the Bible shows us war so we can see what war is and the consequences of it. The fruit of war is death, destruction, the birthing of hatred, mistrust, and the subjugation and enslavement of those considered inferior. It shows us generally speaking no good comes from war and only leads to more war.
In contrast, the Bible presents peace as an acceptable and preferable alternative. In times of peace, everybody is at rest enjoying life, family, friends, and the world in general. Needs are met and all is well generally speaking There can be chaos all around us but we will be at peace following the peaceful path laid out for us by Jesus. It is about concern for others and cooperation with the Holy Spirit making our world a better place. Yes, we can have war and violence if we want it. That’s what we have had since the beginning of time. However, we can also choose peace which is what I believe God would have us do. God has always been for peace. He has worked with different situations but his ultimate goal has been peace. This is the God Jesus knew and represented a God of love and peace. This is the fruit of the kingdom of God and we who are in it can partake of it if we choose. Let’s do that choose peace, not war. Are you with me?