Why I joined this blog. (pt.1)

I believe in the sanctity of life.
I believe that all life is created by God and has value because God values it, not because it acts or thinks a certain way. This is not an opinion, but a character of my faith and thereby my life.
Because I believe that all life is created by God, I am opposed to abortion, which is the murder of helpless innocents. Because I believe that the value of life has nothing to do with what that life does or thinks, I am opposed to the death penalty, which is the murder of the guilty. And because I believe that life is valuable, I am opposed to all war, which is the organized murders of men and women by each other to solve a conflict.
This is a fundamental part of my faith and being, and I did not come to it because I feel bad about death, or because I am sad about killing. I came to the conclusion that war is wrong because the Bible says it is. Christ gave us clear directions on how to treat our friends and our enemies. (Matthew 5:38-42, Mt.5:43-49, Mt 5:9)
Clearly, Christ is telling us to love our enemies, to do good to those that harm us, and to go out of our way to give to others with no thanks, no satisfaction, and no reward except from Him.
How, when we align ourselves with any war, for any reason, can we reconcile our actions with the Lord's commands?
There are instances of war in the Bible, mainly in the Old Testament...not a declination of their importance or validity...but they are made note of in context of the old covenant before Christ was born into the world. These instances are of vital importance in viewing our God and the history of our relationship with Him, but they are not edicts or commands or examples any more than the sacrificing of animals to cover sins.
In the New Testament, too, war is spoken of- mainly in Revelations. It is always a future reference to Satan's kingdom on Earth, and reveals our leader to be Christ in Person in those battles.
(Another commonly sited verse is Luke 22:35-38 in which Christ tells his followers to purchase swords. It is a turning point in Jesus' time on earth, when his persecution comes to a head. He clearly did not intend for them to use swords against their enemies, as in Luke 22:49-52 he says, "No more of this!"
He then heals the injury and submits to his captors. Many scholars believe that the initial command is not a literal command, but figurative, and when the disciples produce actual swords, Jesus ends the conversation with, "That is enough."
As T.J. Geddert wrote, "The only "armed conflict" that Jesus permitted is with demonic enemies." (Luke 11:21-22))
As Christians, we cannot fulfill Christ's Great Commission, "go out and make disciples of ALL MEN," if we are aiming a gun at them.
We cannot practice Christ's love for our enemies if our intent is to kill them.

Matthew 5:38-48 "You have heard that it was said, 'eye for eye,' and 'tooth for tooth,' but I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. and if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who asks you and do not turn away from one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than any other? Do not even the pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."