Satan's War
I can't imagine how I would feel if I discovered the enemy I am fighting is actually good and what I am doing is wrong.
While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died. And Saul approved of their killing him. That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city. - Acts 7:59-8:8
Saul believed he was right in snatching believers from their homes and putting them in prison.
He approved the stoning of Stephen, the first deacon.
It may be hard for us to understand how he could have justified his actions, but until Jesus intervened in his life, he was certain what he was doing was right.
What one sees as justice, another sees as persecution. It all depends on who you believe is in the right.
When I think about the war in the Ukraine, I cannot imagine learning anything that would change my view. I see it as an invasion of an independent, free country by a ruthless, egotistical tyrant determined to reconstitute the Soviet Empire.
But how does Putin see it?
Does he really believe he is in the right?
Unlike Saul, who was a righteous leader who was well respected for his understanding of the law, Putin has such a long and well documented history of using the legal process for his own purposes that I doubt even he could convince himself that what he is doing makes sense.
Many call him the devil, but I think that is wrong. Satan is too cunning to be so brazen.
If Satan were in charge, the war against the Ukraine would have begun with whispers and innuendo. We would all hear stories of how horrible the people of that country were and have become.
We would develop an opinion over time that something needed to be done.
In other words, Satan would have been waging the same kind of war he is waging here in our country pitting us against one another, until we rise up and destroy ourselves.
More to come...