Pastor I was wondering
Have you ever had a question about the Bible or about religion that you always wanted to ask, but never had anyone to ask? Here is your opportunity. If you have a question about the Bible, or about doctrine, or Christian life, please contact Pastor Adrian using the form here, Question for Pastor
QUESTION: Since I was a child, I always wanted to join the military and be a soldier. But two years ago, I became a Christian, and now I wonder if I can enlist and become a soldier because of God’s Command “Do not kill”?
Thank you for this question.
God’s Commandment tells us, “Do not kill.” Some say, “Do not murder.” The point is, God creates life. Each person is a precious soul He created. He gives each one of us our own specific “Time of Grace,” our lifetime, in which we can come to believe in Jesus, and the time we have, to do the things God wants us to do. That “Time of Grace,” will differ for each of us. For some our Time of Grace is 90 or 100 years. For some that “Time of Grace,” is only a matter of minutes. But God is the one who decides when we will be born. And God is the only one that should determine when my “Time of Grace” is ended, it it’s time for me to die.
God forbids individuals for deciding when a person should die. God forbids each of us individuals to end a person’s “Time of Grace,” whether that be deliberate, like a “murder,” or be that accidentally. That is a sin, and we will need to answer for that, both before God, and before man!
There is one exception to God’s Law. To the government, whatever that looks like, God gives the right to administer Capital Punishment to someone who has committed a crime worthy of such punishment. After the Flood, God told Noah, “And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellowman. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.” God holds each person’s life as very precious. If an animal ended the life of a person, that animal must be destroyed. And if an individual killed a person, that person’s life should be taken. Not out of vengeance. But out of justice. The taking of that person’s life is not “murder!” In God’s sight it is execution of a guilty party.
In the laws that governed God’s people in the Old Testament, God set up “Cities of Refuge.” There were three on each side of the Jordan River. In the time when there was no central government, but only tribes and families and territories, if someone killed another person, the family of the deceased would choose the “Avenger of Blood.” (Nu 35, 19) It was that person’s responsibility to make sure the person guilty of killing their loved one was executed. That was not considered murder. It was considered justice. If the guilty party thought that his crime was accidental, and not deliberate, he could go to one of these “Cities of Refuge,” and when the “Avenger of Blood,” arrived, there would be a trial. If that the killing was accidental, this person would not be executed, but would need to dwell in that City of Refuge! If the trial convicted that person of deliberate murder, the “Avenger of Blood,” would execute him.
In the New Testament, where we had set governments, Paul wrote these words to the Romans. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Ro 13, 1-2) And the government Paul was referring to at his time was the Roman Empire. Later in that same section, Paul tells his readers, “Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” (Ro 13, 3-4) The government has the right to keep peace, and to administer justice, even if that justice demands the life of a person who has committed a crime worthy of capital punishment. In fact, Paul says, the government is doing God’s work to keep law and order and peace, and to punish those who do wrong.
So, if a police officer in carrying out his responsibility needs to use deadly force on a person who is endangering other people, that is not murder. That is justice. He is carrying out God’s work! The same thing applies to military personnel. They have taken an oath to follow the laws of their land, and do all they can to keep the peace. And if the government determines that a particular nation is a threat to their way of life, and if the government decides to wage war with these people, each soldier is not only permitted, he is obligated to use whatever force necessary to overcome the enemy. Even if that means using deadly force. Again, that is not murder, in God’s eyes. That is God’s representatives carrying out the duties to protect our nation.
So, even though God has told you as an individual that you do not have the right to end a person’s life, yet to you as a member of military force of our government, God has given you the responsibility to carry out the orders of your government to execute those who are threats to our society. So, becoming a member of the military is still something you can work for, even if you are a Christian.
Now having said all this, I would also like to give you the warning. Even though taking another person’s life in the line of duty, either as a police officer, or as a soldier, is not a sin, and is actually carrying out God’s command, yet, the first time you pull the trigger of our gun and someone ends up being dead, you will be a changed person. Ask any veteran of any war. When that happens, and when your leaders tell you to talk to someone about what happened, do what they say. Talk to a counselor! Let them help you through it. And as you go through that whole process, keep the point that I’ve made to you in mind. There is one thing that should never plague you as you go through this process. You are NOT guilty of murder! You have not sinned against God’s law! Your eternal salvation is not in jeopardy because of what you’ve done. You have carried out your God-given duty as a Christian soldier.
I hope I have answered your question. If not, please get back to me. I pray that the Lord will bless and keep you, as you determine what path you will choose, to do His work.
Published
Last saved 01/02/2023 - 20:41
Author admin
Create new revision
Revision log message
Briefly describe the changes you have made.
MENU SETTINGS
Provide a menu link
Menu link title
Description
Shown when hovering over the menu link.
Parent item<Main navigation>-- Home---- Contact information-- NEWS-- What we believe-- About Hope-- Sermons-- Church Calendar
Weight
Menu links with lower weights are displayed before links with higher weights.
URL PATH SETTINGS
AUTHORING INFORMATION
PROMOTION OPTIONS
DISPLAY SETTINGS
Published
