Was the American Revolutionary War Justified and Really Necessary?

Over the past few days I have been engaged in a conversation with an American patriot, and Christian, over on the Tea Party Nation website. It seems that this person and I have rather opposing views, even though we both believe in the very same God, the same Jesus Christ, and the same Bible.

One issue appears to be his insistence that the American Revolutionary War was justified. While I am not absolutely certain of this at this point, I suspect that he is a gun advocate, and maybe even a member of the NRA. Who knows.

Since I already discuss my views regarding war, violence, taking up arms, etc., in a number of my articles, I won't be belaboring the point here. Suffice it to say that I am still waiting for said individual to provide me with some New Testament Scriptures where Christ and His Apostles advocated taking up arms in resistance to an overbearing government.

I am reminded of the following verses that are found in Paul's Epistle to the brethren at Rome"

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."
Romans 13:1-8, KJV

As I told the person in question, the truth of the matter is that King George went the way of all flesh, and the British Empire eventually collapsed under its own weight due to internal corruption, a changing world, etc. In essence, that made the American Revolutionary War -- which ultimately cost dozens of thousands of American lives -- unnecessary. If the colonists had been patient, time would have been on their side. Furthermore, today Great Britain and the USA are bosom buddies, just as the communist nation of Vietnam -- where dozens of thousands of Americans also needlessly died during the 1960's - 1970's -- and the USA are likewise trading partners. And what about the many thousands who died in Japan as a result of the atomic bombs? Yet, again, today, the USA and Japan are strong allies and trading partners.

Ironically, the American Revolutionary War was sparked by issues concerning taxation. King George insisted that he had the right to tax the colonies, while the colonists declared that he didn't possess such a right. Yet today, Americans find themselves taxed to death by their very own government, and not by a foreign power.

How do we explain this absurdity?

In conclusion, let's not forget the wise words of the Apostle James, who wrote the following:

"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
James 4:1-4, KJV

War -- for any reason -- is evil, and is the way of the world. We are not of this world; therefore, war should not be our way.

Blessed are the peacemakers!