Sunday Morning: July 8, 2007 (Patriotic Service)
Speaker: Pastor Marty O. Wynn

When God Justifies War
Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Selected

Introduction

America has recently celebrated her 231^st birthday. We are grateful for a nation such as ours. We are thankful for liberty and freedom. We are blessed by living in a land of prosperity and peace.

However, America is engaged in a war that is dividing our nation. War is nothing new. It has been a part of history since man’s early history. For America, it took a war with England to gain our independence and freedom from a monarchy. Other wars have dotted our history. . .

• American Revolution (1775-1782)
• War of 1812 (1812-1814)
• Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
• Civil War (1861-1865)
• Spanish American War (1898)
• WWI (1914-1918)
• WWII (1941-1945)
• Korean War (1945-1953 Cease-fire)
• Vietnam War (1959-1975)
• Persian Gulf War (1991)
• Iraq War (2003-?)

The human casualties of these wars are an estimated 1.1 million (with almost half of those is WWII). There are another estimated 1.5 million wounded. Yes, war has impacted our national history.

Transition

Concerning our current conflict in Iraq, we have become a divided nation. Sadly, we are approaching days like we experienced in the Vietnam era. In WWII America, as a nation, went to war. We had been called to war by the unprovoked attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. We answered the call, and America led the world in a decisive victory. Those of the WWII era became known as the “Greatest Generation” in a book by Tom Brokaw.

In Vietnam, soldiers were sent to war but America stayed home. Protest and riots were the hallmark of a youthful generation that failed to realize the price of freedom was sacrifice. The war became a political firestorm that strangled military strategy and, for the first time in her history, America lost a war. South Vietnam was conquered by North Vietnam and placed under communist rule.

It seems that history is trying to repeat itself. Yet, the division of our country is based upon the faulty premise that war is never right. The arguments against war fall into one of three categories. These are. . .

(1) Moral objection: Thou shalt not kill.

However, the sixth commandment is not a prohibition against the justified taking of a life, but it is against the unlawful act of murder.

(2) Societal objection: Diplomacy is always preferred over war.

However, diplomacy involves mutual compromise, and some compromises can be unwise or sinful.

(3) Political objection: The government should always avoid war.

However, government has a responsibility to serve and protect.

With all of the debate and division of our day, it would do our country good to find out God’s viewpoint of war. If God prohibits war, we should avoid it at all cost. Yet, if God justifies it, we should find out when it is justified and not be ashamed to embrace it.

There are 346 verses in the Bible that refer to war. Did you know that. . .The first census in the Bible is for the purpose of numbering the men for war (Num. 1:2-3). The first recorded song was a song of war and victory (Exo. 15)?

In the Scriptures, we find there are three conditions that justify war. To be right and justified. . .

I. The Cause Must Be Right (I Sam. 17:26-49).

The cause is right, when it is to. . .

A. Declare the power of God (vv. 45-46).

—God’s name and His knowledge to all the earth.

B. Defend the people of God (vv. 26, 36, 45; “the armies of the living God” had been “defied.”

—God expects a man to defend his country and his people.
—Abraham going to war to protect Lot (Gen. 14).
—David got in trouble when he stayed home and did not go to war (II Sam. 11).

C. Dispense the enemies of God (vv. 46-51).

—David did not attempt to negotiate with Goliath. He killed him!

Transition #2: Although the cause may be right, the conflict cannot be fought if certain conditions are not met. . .

II. The Commitment Must Be Real (Num. 1:1-16).

A. National commitment (v.2; Israel).

—The government has a purpose of bearing the sword (Rom. 13:4).

B. Familial commitment (v.2, families).

—A divided house cannot stand (Mk. 3:25).

C. Personal commitment (vv. 3-16, individual).

—Gideon was willing to get personally involved (Judges 6-7).

III. The Conquest Must be Realized (Deut. 7:1-5).

A. Kill the enemy (v.2a).

—You do not pet the snake!

B. Destroy the enemy (v.2b)

—Culture and all.

C. Make no treaty with the enemy (v.2c).

—Show no mercy.

NOTE: The reason for utter destruction, is so that the enemy cannot do you harm (vv. 4-6).

Conclusion: God prefers that war be avoided. However, He does not want a nation to avoid war if it means the destruction of His people or the loss of biblical heritage.

The greatest battle ever fought was on a hill outside Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ fought the devil, paid sin’s debt, and won the victory!