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 What Every Christian, in Every Nation, Can Do During This Time of War
by David Smith
In light of the present war between the United States and Iraq, along with the accompanying world unrest and concern, what can we as individual Christians do? Allow me to share ten words I believe all of us as Christians can agree on and ten specific ways we can live out the meaning of those words in these times.
- Love. Love so genuinely that the seeds of hostility are never planted.
An application:
Test what you say this coming week (before you say it!) with this question: “Do these words display or hide the love of Christ for this person?” (1 John 3:18)
- Work. Work to keep the peace God has given us.
An application:
Do not argue with anyone over anything. (Philippians 2:14-15)
- Strive. Strive to be Christians first & patriotic second, not the other way around for there is only one sort of Christian — a “world Christian.”
An application:
Be careful in your display of patriotism to not confuse patriotism with the expression of your Christian faith. (Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 3:26-29)
- Pray. Pray for all the nations, friend & foe alike.
An application:
Pray briefly each day this coming week for: the righteousness of your nation, your nation’s leader, his / her advisors, the future leadership of the Iraqi people, adequate provision for all refugees & prisoners of war, and peace between the neighboring nations of the Middle East & across the globe. (Matthew 5:43-48)
- Respect. Respect individual freedom & conscience.
An application:
Deliberately show espect to everyone you meet this coming week, knowing full well that not all agree on the justness and prosecution of this present war, as well as knowing that you disagree on a host of other things. (1 Peter 2:17)
- Stand up. Stand up for the weak and vulnerable.
An application:
Though you cannot prevent the loss of innocent life elsewhere, you can help the weak here. Donate something (time, money, whatever you can do) to someone you know to be in difficult straits. (James 1:27)
- Support. Support all who serve your nation for her safety and for the blessing of all.
An application:
Give an encouraging word to any security personnel you meet this coming week. They help keep evil from you; give a good word to them. (Romans 13:1-7)
- Refuse. Refuse to be an accomplice of pride or hate.
An application:
Do not forward any e-mail you receive which speaks ill of the people of other nations or which seems to gloat over human/military/political power or success. (Psalm 101:5; Proverbs 16:18)
- Seek. Seek God’s rule in your own war with sin.
An application:
Conduct a surgical strike on a personal sin in your life and decapitate it! Flee from all that has the appearance of darkness and run toward the light. (Matthew 6:10,33)
- Jesus. Jesus is Lord.
An application:
Begin each day with a reminder to yourself that you belong to Jesus first. Imagine yourself standing at His feet ready to serve Him however He would have you serve Him. Then do all you can to serve Him so in light of that day’s happenings. (1 Peter 3:15-16)
May God bless each of our humble, daily efforts to glorify His name most of all, and bring those who do not know to His grace into His presence.
Comments, questions & requests to be added to the e-mailing list for the Online Devotional may be sent to: <david@yourchurchcangrow.com>
Title: "What Every Christian, in Every Nation, Can Do During This Time of War"
Author: David Smith
Publication Date: March 25, 2003
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