This Thursday is the time we have set aside to honor our men and women who have served in the armed services. The Bible teaches that we are to honor some. Read what inspired men wrote: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due custom to whom custom fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour” ( Romans 13:7). “Honour all men, Love the brotherhood, Fear God. Honour the king” (1 Peter 2:17).
The first Gentile Christian was a military man. “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devour man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave must alms to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:1-2). While this man had many fine qualities, he was not a Christian. He was told to send “for one Simon whose surname is Peter. He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (Acts 10:5-6). “Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:14). This man had not heard of the saving grace of God, so how could he be saved? Peter went to him and preached Jesus unto him and his household. He preached that Jesus died and rose again the third day (Acts 10:39-40). Then Peter “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). This is the first Gentile person converted to Christ and he was a military man.
Paul uses the example of military personal many times in his letter writing. In writing to Timothy he wrote, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-4). He had already told Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).
When writing to the Ephesians he writes, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the firey darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Let us give thanks to all our military personal. Because of the ones who have served and are serving we have many rights and privileges. Thanks to all of them.
We are to be in the Lord’s Army. We are to enter in lawfully. If you have not done that today is the best time to do it. If you have done that do not be AWOL. There is no reason to quit, yet many do. The parable of the soils in Matthew 13 and Luke 8 tell us that some will quit. When we quit we do not win! Let us never retire! Let us “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Love, Keith and thank you veterans
