Ukraine: The Right Thing To Do         

James’ epistle is one of my favorite books in the New Testament. Within its five short chapters, the self-described servant of God expounds on many of the basic tenets Jesus taught us on how to live our lives through service and discipleship. While Saint Paul’s writings are filled with eloquence and beautiful imagery, James spoke with simplicity and clarity. Perhaps the most famous of his writings came in chapter 2 where he tells us faith alone is not our sole key to salvation.

What good is it my brothers if someone has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?  (James 2:14).

This passage suggests we must believe in Jesus Christ, but also live the kind of life He lived through our deeds, worship, and evangelism. But there is another verse in chapter 4 where James clearly articulates one of the most fundamental of all Christ’s teachings. I discovered these eighteen simple words, years ago and challenge myself each day to follow his direction.

For one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin (James 4:17).

The ‘right’ thing’?

I acknowledge that the term lacks a certain specificity. But if you step back and ponder its intent, you will see it speaks of truth, love, and compassion; all traits our Lord and Savior exhibited in his short life. It means following the Commandments and choosing the right path when faced with obstacles and decisions in our lives.

In recent times, doing the ‘right thing’ has taken on a new meaning for me. Like millions around the world, I have watched in horror, the senseless devastation that is taking place in Ukraine. What began as an invasion of a nation’s sovereignty by a country more powerful and aggressive, has evolved into wanton destruction, torture, and murder of innocent civilians. The Russian government has systematically executed a scorched earth policy destroying nonmilitary installations such as hospitals, schools, and train stations, simply because there has been no one willing or able to stop them.

While Ukrainians fight bravely in their streets to defend their nation with what little resources they possess, the rest of the Christian world cringes, offering economic ‘sanctions’ against the Russian government which has done little to dampen that country’s appetite for war. As the president of Ukraine desperately cries out for tangible assistance such as planes and missiles, the United States and others busy themselves instituting what have largely been symbolic economic sanctions. Meanwhile, the stories of suffering and ruthless killings continue, reminiscent of Hitler’s devastation of first, the Jews of Germany, then Poland, and so on. Regretfully, we know how that ended.

The most recent saber-rattling coming from our own country as we threaten to hold Putin accountable for war crimes. War crimes? What does that really mean and is it truly a deterrent to the killings we see every day in the media?

The simple answer to this question is, ‘No’. International law allows leaders and their military to be tried for crimes such as purposely targeting civilians. However, practically speaking, justice for Putin or his generals can only come if they are overthrown by their government, or if they are conquered by another country, such as the case with the Nazis after the end of World War II. If Putin remains in power, regardless of his sins against humanity, he will remain safe in Russia. The threat to charge him as a war criminal is no more than a symbolic gesture at best. Like suspending the weekly allowance of an unruly child.

That begs the question, when will this all stop? Will the world continue to levy insignificant sanctions against Russia until Putin realizes the errors of his ways? Or does he know exactly what he’s doing, and has already accepted the minor consequences of his actions?

I acknowledge taking more aggressive actions like providing the Ukrainian government and its people with what they really need, is not a step anyone should take lightly. This is a different world we live in. A world where the wrong tactical response to a country with a nuclear arsenal could catapult us all into a global holocaust. Of course, we can rationalize that Ukraine is not part of NATO, and we (the world) have no legal obligation to help them. But how many more videos of terror do we need to see to provide us provocation to act for the greater good?

Much like the chronology of events that drew the world into a global war in the 1940s, I fear we will have no choice but to confront these horrible aggressions. The only question remaining is when. How will our society’s action be judged by future generations? How many more people must suffer and die before we decide to do the ‘right thing’?

One of our generation’s greatest leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, once said, “All I can do is the right thing. The rest is up to God.”  Perhaps it’s time to do the right thing, and trust that He will provide for us.