The truth always unsettles those who are self-righteous. It pierces the pampas like a pin pops a balloon. It's a two-edged sword. There are people who are religious, but don’t have righteousness. There are people who master ritual, but do not know Jesus Christ. They have a profession of faith, but do not possess faith. They are, what the Bible says, clouds without rain, wells without water, trees without fruit.
And he commanded them, saying: “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.”
“Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city; and it will come about when they come out against us as at the first, that we shall flee before them…”
“Then you mighty men of valor shall rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand. Parenthesis added
There are two of God’s laws, which form the basis of human laws for all ages since the Flood: Do not commit murder and execute men who commit murder, Genesis 9:5-6. Notice that scripture records the birth of capital punishment—it was God’s idea! When a criminal murders someone, he not only attacks the victim but the victim’s family, society at large and God Himself, for men are created in the image of God.
Scripture tells us it is imperative that we punish criminals, both as individuals and nations. God sanctions law enforcement and sometimes war as unpleasant as it is as necessary and justifiable. When nations become criminal they must be called to account for their actions.
The Just War Theory St Augustine/Thomas Aquinas gives us several criteria to help judge whether a nation is right to wage war:
• A Just war is one aimed at repelling or deterring aggression.
• A just war must be authorized by the legitimate authority with genuine intentions.
• War must be a last resort with all peaceful alternatives exhausted.
• The probability of success must be sufficiently clear to justify the costs.
• The damage inflicted must be proportionate to its objectives.
• Noncombatants must not be targeted.
In our modern world, we want to talk about Jesus as if He is fully willing to accept us on our terms. In truth, because He is the Creator and we are the created, we have no terms; there is only His will. His will is that we would believe in our heart and confess with our mouths that He is Christ the Lord and then follow His Word.
