Thought for the Day

This verse tells us that we should engage counsel in order to establish our plans and purposes, especially in the matter of war. The Bible is not against war when it is for a righteous cause; however it should never be entered into lightly or without ample counsel from those who would be allies. When called to face any kind of battle it is especially important to have the counsel of fellow Christians. "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established" (Proverbs 15:22).

Team work is vital for any large vision to be accomplished. A good counselor is one who weighs out the pros and cons of a situation and suggests the best way to accomplish or correct something. With a multitude of counselors, the goals and purposes will not be frustrated, but will be completed. Each department will have good suggestions to get the thing established. This is especially important in any kind of warfare.

Some Christians struggle to reconcile Christ's command to love their enemies with their government's decision to go to war. Capital punishment also raises similar questions, especially if the criminal is reformed. How do we reconcile these questions? We must understand that the Bible defines different responsibilities for individuals and governments. While individuals are commanded to love their enemies and forgive those who do them wrong, the main role of a government is to protect its people from invaders and maintain law and order within its borders. Governments fulfill these responsibilities by maintaining military and police forces. Those who would dispute their country's military position, must also ask themselves what their nation would be like without laws, policemen, or prisons.

Before sin, Adam lived in fellowship with God with no need of laws. When he rejected the authority of his Father, sin entered the world. We are Adam's seed, and sin has been passed down to all of us. Jesus laid down His life that we might be forgiven and restored to God. He will one day reign on earth as King of Kings. Until then, God has established governments to restrain the wickedness of man. Unregenerate society, without any restraints, would destroy the righteous along with itself. God's laws rule men's hearts, and governments enforce laws (Romans 13:1-5).

As individuals, we are required to forgive those who sin against us; and as citizens of earthly governments, to support our government's enforcement of the law. Although war is a terrible course to take, the alternative is far worse: allowing evil to overtake one's country. Sometimes wars must be fought to bring justice to bear. Wars will remain until Christ returns and sets up His kingdom of peace in the earth. At that time, war shall be no more. "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah 2:4).