I swore to defend my country against all enemies, foreign and domestic, several times. I'm still willing to do that. But, after prayer and contemplation, I don't believe I'm being called to do that. I thought I'd share, in case it helps any brothers or sisters who are here.

First, a little story.

Genesis 18: 20 Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.” 22 The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. 23 Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” . . . 32 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” . . . Chapter 19: 12 The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, 13 because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.”

I don't think there are ten righteous people in Washington. I know there are good people throughout the country, and I pray that God saves most of them. Hopefully they find a little town like Zoar where they can start again, and not too many of their family look back.

We see this pattern over and over, though. The people turn away, they suffer the consequences, and the survivors come back to righteousness. One day, the people will turn away for the last time, and everything will be burned.

I'm not one who pretends to know it's time for the world to burn. I hope it isn't- I have children with great potential for good. It's definitely possible they will find the world unhospitable, though.

The question is, what do we do about it? I believe, had the angels found ten good men, those men may have have been called to fight and restore their cities. God allows for self defense, and even national defense. What do we do, though, when it's not worth saving?

Paul has some advice in Romans, ch. 12: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. . . . 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Then it gets really hard:

chapter 13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

This has been hard for me. I have been conceited. I have wanted revenge. I have hated those who would persecute the innocent. I have never been afraid to die, but I have been afraid to admit defeat in this world and live. But every man has a choice, and if too many choose evil, society will suffer the consequences. Those consequences are coming for us.

I've always loved Ecclesiastes. It's probably that conceit again, but I like to think I understand it a little, and have learned and earned some of its wisdom. I wish everyone would hear it, and listen. But they will not. And it's not my responsibility to make them, or to punish them for it. I always focused on the penultimate verse, but now I see the wisdom of the last one:

Ecclesiasteds12: 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

I believe we are to judge righteous judgment. But it is God who reveals the deeds and makes the final judgment.

The Commander in Chief has not asked me to bring a gun and fight. The people's representatives have not identified an enemy. Even in this forum, very few would side with me. Yes, America's founders acknowledged the right of the people to overthrow their government; I believe God allows us to set up governments. He also expects us to honor the one we end up with. Do you really have sufficient evidence to judge for yourself who should die? There is no alternative government to follow. If ten good men were willing to fight, arrest traitors, hold righteous judgment, and destroy the enemies of good, I'd be there. But I don't think those men exist. It's time to go to Zoar, and pray the angel fire misses me. It's time to fight by living as good as I can, not by dying for a doomed government.