Wars and Rumors of War

 

Have you noticed we live in unsettled times? I am amazed at “freedom demonstrations” that are occurring in countries all over the Middle East and other places in Europe. Civil and political unrest almost seem to be the normal thing now.

Jesus once said to his disciples, “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” This astounding response of Jesus came one day after he was leaving the temple and one of his disciples (with a strong measure of national pride) exclaimed, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” (Mark 13:1, 7)

We should not be alarmed at world events because…

• Human nature seems to thrive on conflict.


• People do not like to be oppressed.


• National pride is on the line in many cases.


• Power does not like to be challenged.

In the  midst of all this world unrest, can there be a Christian way to perceive it? This is in view of the fact that many are praying for freedom of religion in the areas of unrest so that Christians may worship.

Allow me to be the fly in the ointment at this point. In all of the New Testament we never find the writers asking their readers to pray for freedom of religion so that Christians could worship “without molestation” (an old cliché and phrase that commonly comes up in public prayer). Instead of praying for freedom of religion, we should be praying for the religion of freedom.

This kind of freedom is not attached to any civil, governmental, ideological, or national rights or powers. It is hard for American Christians to separate their fundamental identity from being an American from being a Christian. But the freedom that comes from being a Christian is  precisely identified by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.”

This is a kind of freedom that reflects the Lord’s glory. This is a kind of freedom that allows us to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus. This is a freedom from bondage (sin and legalism) that enables us to be free from self and free for others. This is the kind of freedom that allowed Paul and Silas to sing in prison in Philippi.

Our fundamental freedom of soul and self is found only in Jesus. War and conflict were never meant by God to be the methodology for spreading the kingdom. The kingdom of God is the opposite of that. Yes, it is a blessing when citizens of a country can live with the blessing of political freedom. But Jesus never came to offer political freedom. In fact, his own people expected that from a messiah, but he would not fall prey to such a misconception.

So, what should we do? Pray that conflict, war, demonstrations, violence, death and destruction should end. And for those of us who are Christian, we should exemplify in our words and actions the peace of God in areas of thought and life where Satan finds it easy to accomplish his evil will!

In Christian love, Curtis