In Reply to: Re: Byron, how do you explain this? posted by Surprised on March 28, 2003 at 09:03:09:
Paul of course was speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and instructing disciples as to, just how, God suppresses evil among the wicked. So the answer is no, Paul was not of the Devil for revealing this truth. The subject of these passages was to advise Christians to obey the just laws of man because otherwise they would face the Lord's judgement by way of the world. Paul is not advising Christians to take up the sword to revenge evil. God uses those of the world to fulfil that purpose. If everyone obeyed the Gospel of Jesus Christ there would be no need for police or soldiers because crime and war would simply cease to exist. All men who do not obey the gospel are criminals in God's sight because they are the reason that evil continues.
What we have in war is a situation where those who will not obey God, kill others because they also will not obey God. (That is, when the nation being attacked is in the wrong.)
The problem that many so called Christians have is that they do not believe that they are a separate people and so they mingle with the evil and end up using violence in an attempt to solve problems. A confused state of mind is produced when you try to mix spiritual godly ways with earthly carnal ways. The 'Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth' is known by her fornication with the kings of the earth. (IE. Having joined in league with this world's carnal earthly rulers.)
God's people by contrast do not join hands with the wicked.