The question of non-violence in regard to war and military service has been a bone of contention among Christian believers for many years. There seem to be many valid arguments on both sides of the issue, which seem to indicate that the final answer lies in the conscience of each individual. We therefore urge every person who may be faced with making a decision concerning military service to do it with much prayer, deliberation, and study of the WORD. It is a matter of grave importance and like marriage, should not be entered into unadvisedly, or lightly, but discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God.

In 1942 I was inducted into the armed forces, serving in the 3rd Army in Europe in a Tank Battalion. At the time, I believed it was my duty, as well as a privilege, to serve in the defense of the US as a combatant. Romans 13:1-7 was an apparent mandate to obey the ‘‘higher powers”; patriotism to one’s country was considered next to loyalty to God. I never regretted having given three years of my youth for “the defense of democracy.” My conscience said, “Go.”

However, in later years as I reviewed my life from a different perspective, I began to see things differently. I was a professing Christian when I went into the Army, and I remained one during my years of service, but after the cessation of the War, and with the resumption of civilian life, walking with God took on a new meaning to me. As I grew “in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ,” I realized that there was a higher power than the “higher powers,” and it is to that supreme authority that I must give account.

The Case For Conscientious Objection

1) “Thou Shalt Not Kill”(Ex. 20:13) It has been rightly pointed out that after having given this command, God directed Israel to destroy their enemies; in many cases, they were told to kill men, women, children, and animals.

This was ordered by the Supreme Authority Himself, not by Moses or any other man. In the economy of the kingdom of God, the enemies were considered incorrigible and expendable. In His infallible wisdom and foreknowledge, He knew that those heathen peoples would never turn from their idolatry and wickedness, and He was justified in having them removed from the earth. What nation on earth today can claim the direct voice of God in its affairs of State as it was with Israel through Moses, Joshua, and the judges of Israel? Not one! If God Himself should declare hostilities against any nation and command others to wage war, then the killing would be justified, but He is not recognized as the Commander-in-Chief of any nation today. War and killing are the decisions of carnal men.

2) God’s Will vs. Man’s Will “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21)

Every Christian who considers going into the military should seek God to know whether it is the Father’s will. In fact, this same premise should be followed in every aspect of our lives. It is foolhardy to step out upon any kind of venture without knowing the Father’s will. Too often people go by “hunches,” or by weighing certain circumstances against other circumstances and choosing what appears to be the best on the basis of this comparison. Another method people use is known as the “Gideon way,” or putting out a fleece. Gideon was told by God to go to battle against the Midianites. He was so astonished that God would tell HIM to go that he wanted confirmation that God really spoke to him. So he took a piece of wool (fleece) and placed it on the ground and prayed to God, saying that if God really wanted him to go, the fleece would be wet in the morning and the ground around it would be dry.

The next morning, Gideon wrung a bowl full of water from the wool. To further ascertain the call of God, he told God he would again place the woolen fleece upon the ground, only this time the fleece should be dry while the ground all around should be wet with dew if God really intended to save Israel through him. The following morning, the fleece was dry, but dew was upon the ground around it.

Here we have a record of three super-natural manifestations:
1) God conversed with Gideon;
2) God caused the fleece to be wet;
3) God caused the fleece to be dry.

We have heard of people “putting out a fleece” on their own terms, but never doing it as Gideon did with a real piece of wool. Neither do they do it for confirmation of God’s voice. Remember, the Lord had spoken with this man of God.

Since most people do not literally see nor hear God today, how can they know God’s will for their lives? His will is clearly shown in the Scriptures, in both the Old as well as the New Testament. The fact remains that few people seek for God’s will for their lives upon the pages of the Bible. Some will scan the Book for doctrinal purposes, but not many search the Scriptures in an effort to know His will. Fewer yet will earnestly apply the Scriptures to their personal lives so as to conform to God’s will above their own. Anyone who faces the possibility of military service should spend enough time seeking God to know whether it is the Father’s will to do so. “It is better to obey God rather than man,” (Acts 5:29) is still the wisest choice a person can make.

3) Violence Condemned. Jesus was very plain about how His followers are to respond to violence: “That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek turn to him the other also.” (Matt. 5:39) Period! We believe He meant what He said, and since He meant what He said, this leaves no room for violence, revenge or animosity on the part of His followers.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God,” Jesus declared. (Matt. 5:9) When He stood before Pontius Pilate, Jesus replied that “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36) The implication here is that the people of His kingdom are not beligerent; they do not fight, not even in defense of themselves or of others!

This same theme is repeated throughout the books of the New Testament. Physical warfare is not in keeping with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood,” Paul affirmed in Ephesians 6:12. We hold no rancor toward those who disagree with us on this subject; we believe it is a matter of personal and individual conscience. Each of us must answer to God about the actions we have done while here in this body. As for me, my conscience tells me that God is first in my life: I must obey Him irrespective of what others do or say. If He should personally show me that I should bear arms in a conflict, I would do so. Unless He speaks to me and says go, I will continue to hold to the commands of the Lord Jesus.

There are many conscientious objectors who have served God and their fellowman by becoming battlefield medics or chaplains, both of which require one to put his life on the line, and many of whom have lost their lives while trying to save others. Anyone whose conscience rebels at the thought of disobeying God or taking another human’s life has the option of objecting to actual combat and serving in the medical field or chaplaincy, either of which would be an honorable position to serve.

(Reprinted from Number 370, September, 1994 issue of “The Testimony of Truth” with permission from “People of the Living God”)

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