Still in the spirit of celebrating veterans. This post was inspired by my husband while reflecting on a military documentary we watched, No Greater Love.
My time in the military was filled with more ups than downs. I learned to value freedom, humility and the power of community. I believe the willingness of soldiers to lay down their lives for one another and their nation is due to military indoctrination (transformation of civilians to military members) and the bond formed over time. The truth is that one cannot continue to think and live like a civilian when one decides to join the military. Similarly, a Christian cannot continue to think and live like one who doesn’t believe in Jesus while claiming to be a Christian. By their fruits you shall know them. 1 john 2:4 & 6 (NLT) ~ If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
Starting from Basic Combat Training (BCT), we were taught the Army doctrines and we were given a “blue book” which is a guide to becoming a soldier. In BCT, we read the Blue book daily and recited the army values and soldier’s creed everyday. Memorizing and mastering the army values and soldier’s creed were crucial to thriving as a soldier.
Advanced Individual Training graduation picture. I am sharing this picture because my battle buddy, Ochoa was an exceptional battle buddy. I watched her live the army values.
Today, I will focus on ways the army values can inform how we do life as Christians. The army values are Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal courage .
Loyalty: Bear true faith and allegiance. A soldier is faithful to serve and does not quit while on a mission. A soldier becomes a traitor and deserter when he or she chooses to partner with the enemy and break the oath of service. We all value loyal friends and a loyal spouse. God also wants us to be loyal to Him by choosing Him daily. As Christian parents, our mission is to raise godly children. Are we loyal to this cause? As Christians, our mission is to spread the good news of Jesus. Are we loyal to this cause? (Matthew 28:19-20)
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Duty: In the army, duty is defined as fulfilling one’s obligation. Are we fulfilling our obligations as Christians? Our obligation is to love God and love people as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). It is so simple. Yet we find it difficult because we do not ask God to teach us to love Him and those around us.
Respect: In army terms, it is to treat people as they should be treated (1 Peter 2:17). How should people be treated? With love regardless of their religion, race, sexual orientation, gender and other things that are used to describe who we are as individuals. Respecting others does not mean we agree with their way of life and ideologies. It means we are respectable people who look past the failures and inadequacies of others and treat people with love in words and action.
Selfless service: Put the welfare of others before yours (Philippians 2:3). Authentic Christianity is selfless Christianity. It is not selfish. We should ask ourselves daily: Am I selfless in my actions? Am I selfless in service to God’s kingdom? Am I willing to lay down my life for the gospel?
Honor: Soldiers are called to live up to the Army values. As Christians, we ought to live up to the values of God’s kingdom. Biblical principles should guide our choices. 1 Corinthians 10:31
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Integrity: Do what is right, legally and morally. Who are you when no one is watching? I would add that Christians should not only do what is legally and morally right, we should do what is Biblical. Proverbs 10:9
Personal courage: Face fear, danger, or adversity. As Christians, we should be courageous because we have the spirit of love, power and sound mind. We should not run away from adversity, we should face adversity with confidence that we have victory and all things work together for the good of those that love God. Joshua 1:9
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We can live up to these values, my friends. We have a helper who is ready to help us, the Holy-spirit. Talk to Him today.
Meditate on these scriptures: John 14:16,John 14:26,John 15:26
Stay blessed!