The Evil of Shedding Innocent Blood

War is a terrible and wicked thing, especially when innocent blood is shed. Yet we seldom talk about the immorality of killing the helpless, unless it happens to us.

Patriotism blinds the best of us, but we ought to ask: why should we expect our lawless and incompetent government to be efficient, honest, decent, and lawabiding in the conduct of war when it is none of those things in anything else it does?

Just because we label an activity "war" doesn't excuse it from the binding moral teachings of scripture against murder and harming the innocent.

We have seen the use of labeling to escape moral censure before, in the matter of slavery, to conceal the theft and violence and kidnapping that it involved.

God's word condemns innocent bloodshedding and demands the execution of those who do so.

God's word requires the government to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. Over and over, the Scriptures warn governments against murder and innocent bloodshedding, and promise God's judgment against those who do such.

Our country has hands drenched with the innocent blood of victims of our wars. Many innocent Indians were massacred. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims were murdered in our Philippine war.

Our Lord Jesus was crucified because the Jewish leaders decided it was best to murder one innocent man to preserve the nation. They scoffed at the sorrow of Judas at the murder of Jesus. Pilate betrayed his duty to do justice and executed the innocent Savior.

As Christians we ought to stand up against innocent bloodshedding in war even though it will cost us dearly.

Though we warred against God, He brought us peace by His Son's sacrifice for us!