bubien@thor.ucsd.edu (Mark Bubien) (02/03/91)
[The original of this has expired on my system, so I can't tell who this is responding to. It claimed to be me, but I didn't write it. --clh] (I realize this message is old, but I just joined the group) > In the middle of all the turmoil of physical war, I believe > God is ready to start a campaign of His own. It is > our duty as Christians to give our prayer support, simple but powerful. Certainly God is mounting a "campaign" of His own, but no-one knows what this campaign may entail. We do have a duty to pray, but we should not rely on prayer alone. We need to take an active role in this "campaign", and we need to take a moral stand on the issue of this war. Jesus took a stand in the temple, casting out the money changers. He did not simply leave them to go pray that God's will be done. He made a judgement and took responsibility, becoming the instrument of God's will in that situation. If we simply ask the Spirit to do His work, we free ourselves from moral judgement, and moral responsibility. It's a good thing to ask the Spirit to do His work, but we must not forget that His work may include us taking some active role (other than prayerful) in that work. As Christians, we must be instruments of God's will. Yes, we are all called to prayer---especially in this situation. But we must also judge this war, and take a stand. Now, more than ever, we must serve our fellow man. Serve them with prayer, and serve them with action. If you believe that this war is just, then make your views known, and find a way to support the people involved. If you believe peace is the answer, cry out to your fellow Americans for peace. We Americans, more than anyone else, are blessed that we can freely speak our views to our government. We will not suffer the persecution of those in places like China and Lithuania. If we do not take advantage of this freedom, it will become meaningless. Peace and Love in Christ, Mark Bubien [ I condemn the military action of the United States in the Persian Gulf ]