Peace and War -- from a Christian Standpoint
Dawson Burns, M. A. Luke 9:51-56 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,… I. THE SPIRIT OF WAR IS CONDEMNED BY THE GENIUS OF CHRISTIANITY, 1. It very often springs from vainglory. 2. Or revenge. 3. Or sordid ambition. II. THE SPIRIT OF PEACE IS INCULCATED BY OUR RELIGION, AND IN PROPORTION AS CHRISTIANITY PREVAILS WILL THAT SPIRIT OF PEACE RE DIFFUSED AMONG MANKIND. 1. It tends to the preservation of human life, and happiness, and property, and social order. 2. It allows of the development of all good and great principles, and the progress of mankind in virtue, morality, and piety. 3. Christianity must be on the side of peace, because of its Divine Author and Exemplar. III. PRACTICAL CONCLUSIONS. 1. Let us cherish the spirit of peace. The great thing is to have the right temper. 2. Let us pray that our national councils may at all times be controlled and permeated by the spirit of peace. 3. We should labour for Christianity for this amongst other reasons, that it is only through Christianity, and the spread of it, that we shall ever attain to an era of universal peace. (Dawson Burns, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, WEB: It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem,