Reflections from the Heart

If George Bush was elected president in the 2004 election on the basis of moral values, how is it that the War on Iraq was not factored into the "moral value" mix? Is there such a thing as a "just war" and is the killing of terrorists a Godly thing to do or are the pacifists within Christendom more attuned to God's moral stance on the waging of peace in all circumstances instead of war?

We are all very familiar with the verses in the Bible that focus on peacemaking as a reflection of our faith. "Love your neighbor as your self" (Luke 10:27), "Turn the other cheek" (Matt. 5:39), "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9), "Bless those who persecute you" (Rom. 12:14), and the entire thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians are only a few examples. There is little doubt that Jesus taught a ministry of love and peace but are there times and situations where war can be justified?

Is the War on Iraq justified?

This question deeply divides Christians. Both sides feel Biblically justified for their beliefs. The answer, however, is not to be determined by ascertaining if our beliefs and actions can be justified Biblically. The true acid test for all our actions must first stem from a constant focus on God and by following His Spirit to lead and guide us. Does God want America to be Top Dog, flexing our muscle, bark, and bite throughout the world? Is this the path in which He is leading us? Or, have we mistakenly looked upon our rich bounty of blessings as evidence of God's favor? Do these blessings empower us to do whatever we feel like doing? Are we following God or leading the way, hoping that He will keep up and continue to bless us?

Yes, America, at least New York City, was attacked and many people died. It was a gruesome day and our hearts filled with anguish for the senseless murder of innocent people. But most importantly, our hearts filled with fear. Who are these people willing to give their lives for the murder of innocent Americans? Why would they want to attack America? How will we ever feel safe again?

It wasn't long, however, that the diatribe turned from questions and the seeking of truth to vengeance and justice. We have to get the bad guy. He is dark skinned, speaks a strange language, and worships a different God. Justice must be served. Retribution dealt. Something must be done now. We're the Top Dog and we have to put the world in its place. We want to feel safe and secure but most importantly, we need to show them who's the boss.

The focus became war. It was the only answer. "Tooth for a tooth" retribution and more so… For each American killed on 9/11, thousands of Arabs have died. For each building destroyed in New York City, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses have been flattened in Afghanistan and Iraq. For every terrorist killed hundreds have been created by the largest fire-bombing of a city since Dresden and Hiroshima. The Top Dog's bite is worse than its bark.

The only justification to the War on Iraq that can possibly hold water is a justification based on fear and self righteousness. We are fearful of terrorists so it is ok to kill them and we are right to do so in order to make the world safe. Our fears dominate our hearts. Our fears of the unknown shake the foundation of our faith. Our fears lead us into creating arguments of justification. Our fears have led us to war. And the only thing larger then our fear is our patriotism.

Patriotism has become our new god. It is our golden calf except this time it is a red, white, and blue calf. This patriotic god, however, is not a god of love. It is not even an accepting god. If we voice a single disagreement with the President we are labeled unpatriotic. We are told by our religious leaders that if we don't vote for Bush then we must not be true Christians. Our faith is no longer measured by our focus on God - it is measured by our vote, which better be red, and by our patriotism. If we choose to be on the right team, the Top Dog team, then and only then, will God's will be accomplished. The conservative arm of Christianity has become so self-righteous in their morality that they can't even consider the concept of having an anti-Bush bumper sticker and a Christian fish insignia on the same vehicle. Patriotism, war, and God; this is the new morality; this is the new crusade.

Why are we so fearful? Why have we become so susceptible to the fear-mongers of the world? Is patriotism our only hope? Has God lost His power? Or is it because we have lost faith in God? In Genesis 15:1 God said to Abram, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." Doesn't this promise still apply? Should we set aside of our fears and rely on God's love and protection as a commitment of faith? Or do we have such little faith in God that we have to take the world by storm and destroy everything in our path? Is this the only way to calm our fears?

Perhaps a different approach, a Godly approach, other than war would be to "try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:10) Perhaps God's method for allaying our fears is to "take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." (Ephesians 5:11) Maybe if we choose to allow God to "lead (us) in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake" (Psalm 23) we will learn how to love and trust. Perhaps, if we took the time to expose all the works of darkness in the world, we would find roads to peace and common grounds for understanding. Perhaps this different approach would reveal that God loves us all and blesses everyone, not just the barons of Wall Street. Perhaps, just perhaps, we will rediscover our faith in the one and true God. When this occurs it is my guess that we will fear no more, our reward will be great, and the moral values we all treasure will be upheld.

In order to be able to do anything about the schisms of Christianity that have developed over the millennium, it is an important step to look at each issue that causes separation and analyze it within the context of Christ and the Bible.

The largest rift in American Christianity has to do with the issue of righteousness. Our relationship with God is dependent upon it. Without righteousness we are adrift in the wilderness and the hope of growing closer to God is dead. This is based upon the premise that God hates sin and the only way we, the sinner, can come into His presence is to be made clean. The founding premise of Christianity is that we have been made pure through the sacrificial lamb, Jesus Christ, who gave His life in payment for our sins. In Christ we are made holy. In Christ we are made right with God.

So if we all agree to this premise, (and we must or we wouldn't call ourselves Christians) where does it go wrong? How does righteousness become such a divisive issue?

Unfortunately, it is not a new issue. In his letters to the Romans and the Corinthians, Paul vividly outlines the problems of living rightly. At the time there were Jewish Christians who held tightly to the belief that all Jewish law and tradition had to be maintained if a person were to gain access to the salvation available in Christ. In their view, anyone coming to Christ must live their lives according to Jewish law. Circumcision became the "hot-button" topic of the day. It divided the church.

Must we live rightly to become holy? Are the laws of Moses, the Beatitudes, and the Great Commandments requirements that must be obeyed or else? Are we responsible for insuring that society as a whole lives by these statutes? Is it God's will that we fight abortion, homosexuality, and stem-cell research, or are they simply the "hot-button" topics for our day and age? Have these issues become the source of divisiveness in such a way that the Church, as a whole, is not able to do the tasks of building God's kingdom it is called to do? Worse yet, are these hot-buttons keeping people from Christ? Are they barriers erected by Satan himself?

In Romans 4:1-18, Paul provides some insight to these questions as he reminds his readers of Abraham, "our faith father." (Rom 4:16 MSG) Abraham was made right with God but not because he did certain things or followed certain laws. In fact, the Law of Moses was not even around at the time. Abraham simply trusted God and gave his life over to Him. (Gen 15:6) We are justified by faith and by faith alone. Nothing we do, none of our works or righteous acts, will gain us the salvation that God has freely given.

Because of this our focus on righteous living is misplaced. We are not growing closer to God by creating a world of right living people. This has been borne out throughout history and we only need to reread the stories of the Israelites to understand the hopelessness of this tact. Our holiness is as a result of our faith and trust in God. It just happens. Christ made it so. We do not need to force these ideals and concepts down the throats of sinners in the world. What we need to do, what we are called to do, is to love one another. But even this we can't do without God.

Focus on God. Listen to God. Believe in God. Trust God. "Believe (in) the LORD, and the LORD (will) declare (you) righteous because of (your) faith." (Gen 15:6 NLT)