When the world was created, God never intended for such evil to take place...His plan was perfect: one of peace, rest, and ultimate security.  However, people have rebelled against God's loving plan...time and time again they have turned their back on Him.  Because of our rebellion, we have a world full of suffering, evil, and death.

Clearly, war is "hell" and is absolutely against God's plan for a perfect and peaceful world.  Human rebellion against God has bred hatred, selfishness, greed, pride, racism, and the lust for power.  Because of these very real evils, someone must stand against them.

So, although we know that war is always based on evil, it is not always evil to fight--that depends on which side you're fighting for.  Sometimes, good must take up arms in order to stop the onslaught of evil.  The great statesman Edmund Burke once commented: "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."  Indeed, sometimes it is wrong not to fight.

Imagine a violent man breaking into your home and threatening to kill your children.  Would it be "right" for you to fight?  Of course!  Someone must protect the innocent, and help those who cannot help themselves.  In certain situations, by not fighting you actually become a participant in the evil itself.

Some have suggested that the more powerful nations of the world need to "set the example" by disarming themselves.  Although this seems inviting, it ignores one very real fact: not everyone is seeking good.  If everyone was really good at heart, military power would be unnecessary.  However, in a world full of sin, selfishness, and greed, the only way to achieve peace is through strength.  History demonstrates this fact very clearly.  Nations that disarm end up having to fight...and lose.  Nations that build up their forces are able to maintain long periods of peace and prosperity. 

If a nation is not defended sufficiently, evil will quickly overtake it.  Free, peace-loving nations must build and be willing to use effective military forces...Treaties and alliances may be helpful, but ultimately, peace always comes through strength and nothing else.

Some people claim that because Jesus said to "turn the other cheek," war is always wrong.  But consider:

1. Pacifists only have the right to say what they are saying because someone went to war and fought to earn that freedom.

2.  Jesus taught that when it comes to our relationships as people, we must not seek retaliation, and, as far as it is possible, we must remain "at peace with all men."  However, he did not teach that war was wrong.  Jesus commended a Roman centurion (soldier) for his great faith...but never told him to give up his sword (Matthew 8).  This indicates that Jesus viewed soldiers as a necessary profession...just as he viewed doctors (Luke), tax-collectors (Matthew), and fisherman (Peter).   This assumption can also be made about John the Baptist (Luke 3) and Peter (Acts 10).

3.  The Apostle Paul makes it clear that one of the roles of human government is to punish evil.  (Romans 13) 

Thus, war itself is not a sin, but a "necessary evil" in this world of pride, selfishness, and greed.  God is certainly not "pro" war, but He allows it and sometimes even commanded it in the Bible. War is a sad, but legitimate function of human government.

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