Russia’s Continuing War

Richard Hollerman

All that we can say at this time is that President Putin (1952 to present)  (Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin)  must be an evil and wicked man. Of course, we know that Volodymyr Zelenskyy (1978 to present) is also evil (since he is an unbeliever and not a Christian), but Putin must be himself evil and violent. Regardless of whether he is nationalistic, we must conclude that he is wicked and hostile.

Of course, we would always call the Jewish Zelenskyy to turn to Christ and find God’s forgiveness through Him. On the other hand, surely we would encourage Putin to also come to Christ and His salvation! In either case, and in neither case—in either Russia or Ukraine—will they find the forgiveness that only God can provide. The Russian Orthodox Church cannot provide it. And the Ukrainian Orthodox Church cannot provide it. Only God can provide this through Christ. And we encourage them to go to Scripture and there search wearilessly and endlessly for answers.

It has been said that perhaps (or probably) Putin is becoming deranged. He must be disturbed. He must be unhinged and unbalanced. He must be perverted and mentally deficient to kill so many thousands of Ukrainian citizens and of his own Russian people. We particularly think of the thousands (or is it tens of thousands) of his troops who have been killed by the enemy. Think of the infrastructure—the buildings, the edifices, the railroads and railroad tracks, the houses, the apartment buildings, the bridges, and the miles of roads destroyed or damaged! The list could go on, virtually endlessly.

It may be true that billions and billions of dollars have been poured into the Ukrainian economy and helped to support the war efforts. Many European nations, the United States, and other countries have contributed to this effort to defend the sovereign state of Ukraine. And we understand that Putin’s own soldiers don’t want to fight and hundreds (thousands?) have escaped to other countries to avoid being conscripted. When will these people learn? When will Putin learn?

I have a booklet at home entitled, “All War is Sin!” In this case, particularly, we think that the war in Ukraine is sinful, wrong, and evil. As I mentioned in my previous post of a few weeks ago, surely if Putin wants to repent, it will cost him much. Yes, we know that he has a palatial mansion on the shores of the Black Sea. He has his well-fitted yacht, and he owns many items without number.

But we also know that the trillions of dollars that he now owes to Ukraine for his massive destruction must one day be paid. And His tens of thousands of deaths must be accounted for. Putin surely will pay, perhaps not in this life but surely the moment he dies. (Of course, we would say the same for the Ukrainian president Zelenskyy.).

War won’t cease this side of eternity and without the coming Judgment. Let us flee to Him for refuge. Let us find our safety in God through Christ (cf. Matthew 3:8; Luke 3:8). Let us find sweet solace through Jesus our Lord.

This is the only way.