Mainstream Christianity in America is highly commendatory of serving the State in war, as a terrorizer and pillager of foreigners, or in policing, as the enforcement arm of domestic tyrants. Many young “Christian” men are even encouraged by their parents, peers, or pastors to strap on boots and serve Egypt as one of its chariot riders, horsemen, or footmen. Chaplain services on military bases reinforce this idea, as do most local congregations, some of which will even throw “going away parties” for men and women joining the military rather than reproving them for putting faith in the world system — trusting in the shadow of Egypt, for seeking to serve a master other than Christ. There is little to no reconciliation process that even occurs in any of these people’s minds. They have been trained by false prophets to think that “God and country” (with “country” implying government) are perfectly compatible with one another and have willing gone along because it satisfies their fleshly instincts and worldly wisdom. And there are millions of “God bless our military” parrots to stand behind them and tell them that serving Pharaoh is actually serving God.

Thankfully, some Christians have seen that this is completely inconsistent with Christianity. The 1963 Mennonite Confession of Faith is a good example of this. They saw the conflict between serving the State and serving the Lord very clearly.

“As nonresistant Christians we cannot serve in any office which employs the use of force. Nor can we participate in military service, or in military training, or in the voluntary financial support of war.”

And:

“In law enforcement the state does not and cannot operate on the nonresistant principles of Christ’s kingdom. Therefore, nonresistant Christians cannot undertake any service in the state or in society which would violate the principles of love and holiness as taught by Christ and His inspired apostles.”

How different could our world be if individuals who claim to be Christians, as many soldiers and police officers kid themselves into thinking, simply lived by the (active) faith described in scripture rather than settling upon a vain and superficial “belief”?

I have had multiple police officers who I have called to repentance tell me, “I’m saved,” “I am a Christian,” and “I go to church.” But they’re still not following after Jesus. Would Christ strap on boots for the State? Certainly not!