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)
Photo Credit: YouVersion Bible App
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
Photo Credit: YouVersion Bible App
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
Photo Credit: YouVersion Bible App
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!
Thank you for your service!!!
Thank you big brother. I consider it a privilege and I am grateful for the opportunity.
Thank you for your service!
Thank you ♥️ I am thankful for the opportunity.
What a wonderful stellar piece! Thank you for contributing GOOD in so many ways, and forbyour military service. God bless your Christian ministries and humanitarian endeavors.
Amen. Thank you ♥️
Such graceful values. Love how you linked them with our Christianity walk!.
We should live as Christ would – even when the other person seem undeserving of it (keeping the mandate on top gear!)
P.S: I downloaded your pic. 🙈
Haahaa. Thank you. We are soldiers for Christ! ♥️
Smiles.. Yes we are!. 💃
Reblogged this on Christian Mommas and commented:
A great time for us to reflect on Christian values. My heart is grieved as I see many Christians align themselves with ideologies that violate what true compassion means. Saying we are compassionate people while conforming to the world’s way of thinking is great deception. We are either in God’s army warring from a position of victory for truth and righteousness to prevail, or in the enemy’s camp stirring up strife and furthering the agenda of the enemy. May the veils be lifted and hardened hearts be softened. May hate bow to love.
What are your values as a soldier of Christ?
Living the life of faith, adhering to Christian values is not going to be popular. There will be persecution. We must endure persecution with joy. Are you ready?
2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV) ~ Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
Be blessed as you read this post and reflect on the questions I have presented. I love you all. Let’s chase what matters- God’s approval.
Excellent, Temi !
I love the photo. 🤗
Thank you, my dearest grandma!