How Should We React to the War?

As most of the country, I’ve been pretty much glued to the TV watching as the war rages in the Ukraine. Steve had the opportunity to spend two weeks in the Ukraine on a mission trip in 1997, and our hearts go out to those good people whose lives have been turned upside down. Yet, there are others that we mustn’t forget, and they are the Russian citizens.

In 1995, Steve went to Tver, Russia for three weeks, and he liked it so much that he convinced me to go back with him in 1996. Yes, I’ve been to Russia. It was not long after the Cold War ended, and things such as fast food, sodas, etc. . . were just becoming available. But, oh – the people! We worked with the church there for three weeks and fell in love with the Russian people. We’ve thought about the church there, prayed for them, and wondered how much they even know about what is happening in the Ukraine. I guess what I’m wanting you to realize is there are good, Christian people in both countries. I dare say that many of us don’t agree with some of the actions of our government, yet, we do have the option of voting our leaders out every few years. They don’t.

As Christians, how should we behave towards those on both sides of the war? Paul urged the church in Ephesus to “be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Kindness is quickly becoming a lost quality, isn’t it? We, as Christians, should be “all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (I Peter 3:8-12) May we continue in prayer for all, especially for those in authority. Simply blessed, Courtney