No More War

 

Isa 2:4 He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.

Before we begin here, let us remember that Isaiah is talking about the “latter days.” As we mentioned last time, these days have been upon us ever since Jesus ascended into heaven and gifted His church with the Holy Spirit before He sent them out with His message of peace….the Gospel.

 

This gospel “Word” is what He uses to judge the nations: Joh 12:48 says, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”

 

This Word of the kingdom is a rebuking call to repentance that was the clarion call of Jesus who said in  Mt 4:17, “"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Now please note, who are the ones that are beating their swords into plowshares? Who are the ones converting their spears into pruning hooks? Who are the ones who look for ways to bless rather than curse?” Agriculture over war. Feeding others with life giving food as opposed to starving and killing others through war!

 

The answer is, “those who have been rebuked.” Those who have acted on the call to repentance and received the gospel…..followers of Christ.

Think about the call to Christians to be agents of peace. The writer of Romans reminds us: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12:18)

Jesus told us to love our enemies rather than go to war with them:  "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (Mt 5:44)

 

Wars arise from the lust of the flesh, and only Jesus can change the object of our lusts to a lusting for the things of His kingdom, and if this were done perfectly, there would be no more wars, and one day, when He returns, there will be no more wars!!

Jas 4:1-3 reminds us: “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?

 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Alas, we live in an imperfect world and Jesus has told us that there will always be wars until He returns, but let us. as Christians, seek to live by this rule: Mt 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

 

Seeking His kingdom first will put our lustings in their proper place and eliminate a major cause of wars between nations.