Expert: Brenda Martin - 6/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: i thank you for responding me back! i really appreciate it. and would you please tell me what exactly can i write on the paper. im not good with writing. and i wanna sound convincing to the commander.thank you Brenda for all your help and support. i get really nervous and scared cause am afraid if i write something it might not sound good enough. and i just want to get out of this army. its no good and i don't recommend it to no one. there is no point in joining in. and there is no point in fighting. cause Jesus don't like that. like it says in the bible . those who live by the sword shall die by the sword.  thank you so much. i will be waiting for your respond. have a wonderful day. take care.
         Elaine

ANSWER: Hi Elaine, You could say something like;-

I have learned that God wants me to--“Render Caesars things to Caesar; and God’s things to God” (Matt. 22:21)

1.For this reason history shows that the Early Christians did not join Caesar’s imperial armies. Jesus himself did not enlist in Caesar’s armies.

I quote—““A careful review of all the information available goes to show that, until the time of Marcus Aurelius [Roman emperor from 161 to 180 C.E.], no Christian became a soldier; and NO SOLDIER,AFTER BECOMING A CHRISTIAN REMAINED IN MILITARY SERVICE”—The Rise of Christianity (London, 1947), E. W. Barnes, p. 333.

2. Also Jesus says we cannot “serve two masters”, so I want to dedicate my life to the service of God. My newfound beliefs are in conflict with “Caesar”, so I have to yield to the superior of the two, just as the apostle Peter said--  “We must obey God as ruler rather than men”—Acts 5:29-32

3.In following Jesus Christ, his disciples must obey his command to be “no part of the world.” It is essential for the Christian to have no part in the world’s religions or in its political or military affairs.

Matt. 26:52: “Jesus said: ‘Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword.’”

Jehovah’s Christian witnesses, in following his pattern have an attitude of respect for duly constituted authority. They recognize the governments and the rulers of this world as the “superior authorities” to whom every Christian soul should be in subjection. (Rom. 13:1, 5) They ‘pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.’ (Matt. 22:21) This requires that they do not give God’s things—devotion, worship, their lives and total service—to “Caesar.”

With these thoughts in mind I am resigning from the army.
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all the best Elaine
Brenda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi Brenda how are you thank you very much. for telling me exactly what to do. i have a question when i write this and give it to my commander. will i be sent to jail. for changing my thoughts. am scared if they do. cause am not doing anything wrong or committing a crime. am just doing what i feel its right.you get me? what do you think? have you ever had something similar to me. i live here in Miami, Florida in the U.S.A . thank you very much for your concern. write back soon. thank you! have a nice day!

Answer
In this twentieth century a number of men of the military have resigned from the armed forces so as to be able to get baptized, in keeping with Isaiah 2:4.

One of these was a master sergeant who had only four more months of service before he could retire on a fine pension, another soldier after having served seventeen years, and another after having served twenty years resigned and was baptized.

so I dont see a problem.

all the best
Brenda