Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 5/24/2006

Question
I do have a follow up question about war.  My husband & I are members of an Independant Fundamental Baptist Church in our community.  I agree with your answer, but the reason I asked it is to gain a clearer understanding because we are currently witnessing to a couple who are Jehovah's Witnesses.  I think they believe that since Jesus would have never been in the military, why would anyone support it?  Jesus said love your enemies, etc. etc.  In my opinion, they hold a similar viewpoint that the Liberals have about war.  Do you have any suggestions?  

Answer
Hi Amy,
   Jehovah's Witnesses have a very distorted view of the Scriptures and it is hard to deal with them.    Sadly, they rarely will accept a sound biblical explanation that does not agree with their teaching.   So you are at a real disadvantage in trying to explain this to them.   
   We are to love our enemies as Christ said, but we are also to obey our government and protect our country if called.  Jesus was talking about our personal relations with individuals.   We are to love our enemies, and seek to win them to Christ and we are to forgive them of their trespasses against us.   But that does not mean we are not to protect ourselves against them if they attack us.  Even civil law allows a person to defend themselves against harm.
    It is sin to attack, harm or kill someone.   It is sin to steal and take what belongs to others.  We contribute to the attacker sin if we make it easy for him or do not oppose him.   If we allow someone to kill us then we aided them in our own murder or the murder of others if we did not try to prevent it.    If a persons sees someone about to commit a murder, the in some circumstances could be held liable under civil law for not trying to stop it or allow it to happen if they could have prevented it.
    You must understand that JW s are “works for salvation” people and hope to please God by their own righteousness.    They can be very pious in their actions, because they think that is what pleases God.  Being pacificist makes them appear outward righteous.   So as I stated before to you,  are at a disadvantage because you believe “thus saith the Lord” and they do not,  and twist the Bible to say whatever they want it to.

    Hope this helps you in dealing with them.  Some do see the truth and receive Christ, but over 20 years of experience has shown me that most people in cults will not accept God’s truth.  That is sad...but a reality.  That of course does not mean we do not try to reach them.

Cooper Abrams
http://bible-truth.org
Romans 12:1-2