Pacifism when sown into the Christian faith inevitably condemns or rejects those who are engaged in occupations such as the military and or the police service, (in its various forms and functions) something the Lord Jesus Christ did not do (consider Matt. 8:5-13). And thus pacifism is wrong when it denies that God accepts all people based on their personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord (Consider Acts 10:1-48). Which may be why Jesus never taught ideals, like pacifism which inevitably lead to showing partiality, or worse justifying indifference or inaction towards another’s well being in obedience to it. Instead He gives us commandments that are congruent with His Person, His Kingdom, and His purposes.
The gospel of peace then does not shun or reject people based on their past, present or even future military or police service, as if they need to repent of that. For that’s only circumventing what Jesus did on the cross for all people to justify us all by faith in His Person. For Jesus commands repentance from sin and lawlessness; showing partiality and arrogance (Acts 10:34), not police or military service, without which this world would be overrun by evil. For these when justly rendered can and do arrest evil on earth and thereby make or maintain peace. Since the sin nature of mankind is ever present with us, there will always be the need for those who are in authority to execute justice and just judgment on the earth. That is what God commands and commends in both Testements!
Yet pacifism denies this, as well as the realities of wickedness on earth. Instead it gives free license for those who practice evil and violence to do so unencumbered. Again it is lawful authority God has charged with arresting evil on the earth, and thus those who resist lawful authority (including believers) only bring God’s judgment upon themselves through them (Consider Rom. 13:1-5).
For the peaceable fruit of righteousness is born out by those who practice righteousness as we obey God directly through His Word and through the lawful authorities He places over us (Heb. 12:3-11). Therefore those who resist or worse condemn lawful authorities for doing what He approves when they justly arrest or punish evil on the earth are wrong. For in doing so they are circumventing God's designs for humanity who has given all authority to us all to maintain peace and do justice on the earth. Therefore instead of condeming them for doing His Will we are commanded to pray for them that they might render just judgment, thwart lawlessness, and maintain peace on the earth for us all. Therefore I much prefer living peaceably (and or striving to live peaceably) with all people and or being a peacemaker in all aspects of life as Jesus commands rather then observing an ideal of mere “pacifism”. For living peaceably with others and or peacemaking entails reconciliation and or peaceful engagement of one’s enemies’ if at all possible; while pacifism simply entails non-violence. It makes no demands upon its adherents to love one’s neighbor as oneself, or even one’s enemies (as Jesus commands). A pacifist can observe their ideals quite perfectly and be utterly content to turning a blind eye to an injustice or violent act unfolding in their very midst; expecially if this is happening to someone they dislike (which is utterly contrary to the Scriptures, consider Prov 24:11-12). Therefore don’t confuse pacifism with Jesus' command for us to live peaceably and or be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9). Though there are similarities, pacifism makes no allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Body of believers or His commandments. Nor does pacifism guarantee one will make or pursue Biblical peace. For you can be a pacifist and be just as unforgiving, vengeful or indifferent to injustice and evil, as a wicked or violent person is.
The gospel of peace then does not shun or reject people based on their past, present or even future military or police service, as if they need to repent of that. For that’s only circumventing what Jesus did on the cross for all people to justify us all by faith in His Person. For Jesus commands repentance from sin and lawlessness; showing partiality and arrogance (Acts 10:34), not police or military service, without which this world would be overrun by evil. For these when justly rendered can and do arrest evil on earth and thereby make or maintain peace. Since the sin nature of mankind is ever present with us, there will always be the need for those who are in authority to execute justice and just judgment on the earth. That is what God commands and commends in both Testements!
Yet pacifism denies this, as well as the realities of wickedness on earth. Instead it gives free license for those who practice evil and violence to do so unencumbered. Again it is lawful authority God has charged with arresting evil on the earth, and thus those who resist lawful authority (including believers) only bring God’s judgment upon themselves through them (Consider Rom. 13:1-5).
For the peaceable fruit of righteousness is born out by those who practice righteousness as we obey God directly through His Word and through the lawful authorities He places over us (Heb. 12:3-11). Therefore those who resist or worse condemn lawful authorities for doing what He approves when they justly arrest or punish evil on the earth are wrong. For in doing so they are circumventing God's designs for humanity who has given all authority to us all to maintain peace and do justice on the earth. Therefore instead of condeming them for doing His Will we are commanded to pray for them that they might render just judgment, thwart lawlessness, and maintain peace on the earth for us all. Therefore I much prefer living peaceably (and or striving to live peaceably) with all people and or being a peacemaker in all aspects of life as Jesus commands rather then observing an ideal of mere “pacifism”. For living peaceably with others and or peacemaking entails reconciliation and or peaceful engagement of one’s enemies’ if at all possible; while pacifism simply entails non-violence. It makes no demands upon its adherents to love one’s neighbor as oneself, or even one’s enemies (as Jesus commands). A pacifist can observe their ideals quite perfectly and be utterly content to turning a blind eye to an injustice or violent act unfolding in their very midst; expecially if this is happening to someone they dislike (which is utterly contrary to the Scriptures, consider Prov 24:11-12). Therefore don’t confuse pacifism with Jesus' command for us to live peaceably and or be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9). Though there are similarities, pacifism makes no allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Body of believers or His commandments. Nor does pacifism guarantee one will make or pursue Biblical peace. For you can be a pacifist and be just as unforgiving, vengeful or indifferent to injustice and evil, as a wicked or violent person is.
