What is expected from Christians in time of war?

Question:

I read one message from Kyrgyzstan and I found that their number one priority now is life. I wonder what should we as Christians do if a massive war conflict begins in our country? What should the priority be? What to do, to sit quietly in homes, to pray, or …?

I will build my response following the advice that Apostle Paul gave to Titus when he left him on Crete to organize the church. Here’s what he said that Titus had to teach Christians there:

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. (Titus 3:1-8)(NASB)

So, both in times of peace and war God expects from us the following:

1. Obedience to authorities

To be subject to rulers and authorities in what is right, that means in everything that does not come in conflict with God’s will written on the pages of the Scripture. The same verse tells us that we must be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good deed.

Warning! Some people have a bad habit to invent different “sacred” reasons in order to excuse their indifference or fear and they evade from their responsibility as a citizen.

Close to Collegeville, Tennessee, USA, I visited a military memorial and when I saw something there, tears welled in my eyes. There was a monument dedicated to those who did not take the gun for religious reasons, but they rescued the wounded on the battlefield, serving them under bullets and risking their own lives. On the memorial board there were written beautiful words of gratitude at them and they were called double heroes, because they had the same risk and, perhaps greater, without being able to defend themselves with guns.

2. To bring love and peace

In time of war there is very much hatred and conflict. The Scripture exhorts us not to malign anyone, not to be ready to fight, but to be peaceable and show consideration to all people.

3. To meet the greatest need

In war there are many needs and they grow day by day. Someone is hungry, another one is thirsty, someone has lost his father, husband, children, etc. People are in need of consolation and encouragement. But let us not forget that the greatest need is for SALVATION. Therefore, let us use every opportunity to proclaim Jesus Christ to all people. And if we do not have opportunities, create them yourself and talk to people.

4. Take initiative

Indifference is not compatible with the call and the name of a Christian. We are called to be the foremost in good deeds. In no way it is suitable for a Christian to quietly stay in the house when war is outside. We must save the wounded, to evacuate those who are subjected to danger, to give a help to those who need it and by everything we do to save lives.

5. Pray for peace

When there is war in the country we should pray for peace. If we have peace in the country we should thank God and not accept it as something that we deserve. We should continually pray for peace as God teaches us:

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)(NASB)

Let us use the peace that God gives us to preach the Gospel to all people.

Let us pray now for our Christian brothers and everyone in Kyrgyzstan so that God would save their lives and bring back peace.

Translated by Felicia Rotaru