Can Christians Serve In The Armed Forces?

When soldiers came to John the Baptist and asked, “What shall we do?”—meaning, “How shall we respond to your call to repent?”—John answered, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14).

From this we learn that repentance from sin did not demand that these soldiers had to stop being soldiers.  We also learn that it is not inconsistent to be a soldier, an airman, a marine, a sailor, or even a police officer and follow Jesus Christ at the same time.  Bearing arms in the service of one’s country is not anti-Christian according to the Bible.  In fact, according to Romans 13:1-4, those who bear arms, whether in the role of law enforcement or a member of the armed forces, are ordained by God to do so. 

The Bible actually contains a great deal  of information about serving in the military.  While many of the Bible’s references to military service are analogies these analogies are picturing the Christian life.  It would seem very unlikely that God would use analogies for Christians to emulate that are inconsistent with being a Christian.  The use of these military analogies especially by the Apostle Paul reveal that being a soldier is highly respected throughout the Scriptures.

The tensions between being a follower of Jesus as a soldier are essentially the same as the tensions of being a follower of Jesus in any other authority structure of society that God ordains for the stability of government which, by-the-way, God also ordained (Gen. 9; Rom. 13).  The Christian men and women who serve their country with character, dignity, and honor can rest assured that the civic duty they perform is condoned and respected by our sovereign God. Those who honorably serve in the military deserve our respect and gratitude.

It goes without saying that among the many believers who have served in the armed forces undoubtedly there have been some who have had to make agonizing decisions.  May they and those who judge such decisions all turn to the cross of Christ for the final resolution of what we have all done.

I for one am thankful God has called and continues to call believers to serve His purpose in our armed forces.  I am thankful for these men and women and the thousands of veterans before them who chose to pursue such a difficult path and embraced the risk of not only being killed but of also having to kill.  John the Baptist knew full well what soldiers may be called upon to do yet He simply told them to be fair, honest, and content with their wages.   Let us place no other burden than what the Scriptures do upon those who serve.  And let us take the opportunity this Veteran’s Day to thank one.