A spark,
A flame,
Just a pinpoint of light.
A single point of reference
In the pitch black of night.
Keep fixed upon it
The answer to your plight
Black fades to gray
Then slowly changes to white.
Run straight
Run true
Run to the One who paid the price for you.
In your journey
You will fall
So know the name
Of the One to call
For help
For succor
For cleansing love
Seek your salvation in the flight of a dove.
Fly straight
Fly high
Let the Creator take you into the sky.
Bringing peace,
Bringing life,
Bringing love to all nations,
The only true source of eternal salvation.
None of us worthy,
No work worth giving,
Not one single life deserving of living.
Only the grace
Of our Father above
And the ultimate act of undying love.
Live straight
Stand strong
Honor the God who rights your wrong.
Give the one thing
He doesn't already own.
Give your faith to the one who wants you to come home.
©2010 Troy Reynolds
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Body of Christ
No single person, Christian or otherwise, can consistently, constantly, and consciously further the will of God. However, within a given number of people, like the Church, there will always be someone committing Christian acts which further God's will. It is the totality of these assmbled acts that constitute the "Body of Christ"--a single manifestation (though spiritual, not physical) with a single purpose, just as our bodies are a physical entity with a single purpose.
To threaten someone's body is to threaten their physical existence. It would stand to reason, then, that sin threatens the "Body of Christ's" existence. Sin is a cancer to the Body, and must eventually be excised in order to preserve the Body.
This explains the end of times. The end of days will come when man reaches the point of corruption when God must perform "surgery." Satan's plan is to corrupt man so fast and so thoroughly that the Body will die before the cancer can be removed. God won't let that happen, of course, but that explains why sin hurts him so and why we should work so hard to excise sin from our life, so that we may become more solidly a part of the Body of Christ.
To threaten someone's body is to threaten their physical existence. It would stand to reason, then, that sin threatens the "Body of Christ's" existence. Sin is a cancer to the Body, and must eventually be excised in order to preserve the Body.
This explains the end of times. The end of days will come when man reaches the point of corruption when God must perform "surgery." Satan's plan is to corrupt man so fast and so thoroughly that the Body will die before the cancer can be removed. God won't let that happen, of course, but that explains why sin hurts him so and why we should work so hard to excise sin from our life, so that we may become more solidly a part of the Body of Christ.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Of Gifts and Gardening
Salvation is a seed that God gives to us as a free gift. However, for this gift to survive, it must be watered by faith and matured through works. Just because it is a gift doesn't mean that it can survive alone. How saddened and angry would you be if you gave a loved one a gift, one which you spent much time effort to possess and give, only to find that he or she let it waste away? Don't you think it hurts God in the same way when we, who have recieved such a precious gift, allow it to waste away?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Independence Day
Independence day has come and gone, leaving me, like many Americans,
pondering the value and meaning of freedom. As a people, we are a
freedom-loving bunch. We commercialize it, proselytize it, sloganize
it, and generally display it in every facet of our lives, whether as a
flag on the front of our house, a shirt decorated with the stars and
stripes, or a theme in an advertisement. The question arises, though,
if we are really as free as we think?
Now, I'm not going into conspiracy theory here. Really, what I would
point out is that freedom is only for the strong. Even when given a
government that grants personal freedom, the weak find ways to
subordinate themselves, whether through drug addiction, party manifesto,
work, economics, or whatever other creative way they find to enslave
themselves. Many are slaves to their own desires, not realizing that in
"doing what they want to do" that they create a hedonistic master that
rules over them just as surely as a tyrant.
In the Bible, the apostle Paul said "It is for freedom that Christ has
set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened
again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). Even then, there were
those who did not understand the true meaning of freedom and began to
indulge in any base human desire they had, thus enslaving themselves
once more after Christ's sacrificial act set them free. I do not know
to whom I should attribute the quote, but one truism in my life is that
"there are two kinds of freedom: the false freedom to do what you want
to do, and the true freedom to do what you ought to do." Again, it is
pointed out that base desire and wonton actions are not true freedom.
By giving in to these desires, we again assign a master to ourselves.
When we live our lives in a Christian way by denying ourselves the
master of the flesh, and instead, choosing to do those things we ought
to do to make ourselves and our world around us a better place in order
to glorify His Name, we experience true freedom. The truly free
experience a peace that no other does. This is the sum total of all of
the teachings in the New Testament. Galatians 13-15 says, "You, my
brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to
indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The
entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as
yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or
you will be destroyed by each other."
Forget spirituality for a moment. Do you hear practical advice here
that would apply to your own life? As a Christian, poor one though I
am, I receive two great gifts from Jesus. The first, of course, is
salvation and the knowledge that this world will not be the end, but
instead, the beginning. The other great gift of faith, though, is
peace. As Christians, we simply do not see the world as others do. We
are literally aliens in a foreign land. A financial loss, while
painful, is still material loss, and because we are not enslaved to the
material, is not something that would cause such overwhelming pain as to
make us take irrational action like suicide or murder, as has happened
recently with a quarterback whose life ended far too early. Death,
also, does not hold the sting as it does for someone who sees it as an
ultimate end. Does this mean that we don't feel, don't empathize, or
are robots muddling our way through life dependent upon the Bible to
dictate to us what to feel and how to feel it? Of course not. As human
beings, we feel hurt just as deeply as the next person. The difference
is that, when drowning in a sea of sorrows, Christ has provided us with
a lifeline to hang onto.
Some would ask if we aren't making the Christian life our master. To a
degree, yes, but God is a father, not a slave-driver. The actions we
take to live the life we are taught are as necessary as breathing and
eating, and thus, unavoidable. This living the Christian life is the
fight we must all fight during our brief physical existence. I say
fight, because it is certainly a constant struggle, as our fleshly
natures constantly quarrel with us to win us back over to the material
side. Thomas Jefferson once said that "Occasionally the tree of Liberty
must be watered with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants" in
acknowledgement that there will always be a struggle to maintain freedom
from those who would take it away from us. This holds true with the
spiritual just as surely as it does with the physical and the political.
As Americans, we sometimes lose sight of the fact that freedom and
fighting go hand-in-hand, as we have had it given to us for so long.
Those who have once lived under the oppression of a tyrant seem to
appreciate this aspect of freedom more than we do, and because of it,
cherish it even more deeply. Only by fighting the good fight can we
defend our freedom and live a life unhindered by anyone or anything who
would knock us off of our path.
pondering the value and meaning of freedom. As a people, we are a
freedom-loving bunch. We commercialize it, proselytize it, sloganize
it, and generally display it in every facet of our lives, whether as a
flag on the front of our house, a shirt decorated with the stars and
stripes, or a theme in an advertisement. The question arises, though,
if we are really as free as we think?
Now, I'm not going into conspiracy theory here. Really, what I would
point out is that freedom is only for the strong. Even when given a
government that grants personal freedom, the weak find ways to
subordinate themselves, whether through drug addiction, party manifesto,
work, economics, or whatever other creative way they find to enslave
themselves. Many are slaves to their own desires, not realizing that in
"doing what they want to do" that they create a hedonistic master that
rules over them just as surely as a tyrant.
In the Bible, the apostle Paul said "It is for freedom that Christ has
set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened
again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). Even then, there were
those who did not understand the true meaning of freedom and began to
indulge in any base human desire they had, thus enslaving themselves
once more after Christ's sacrificial act set them free. I do not know
to whom I should attribute the quote, but one truism in my life is that
"there are two kinds of freedom: the false freedom to do what you want
to do, and the true freedom to do what you ought to do." Again, it is
pointed out that base desire and wonton actions are not true freedom.
By giving in to these desires, we again assign a master to ourselves.
When we live our lives in a Christian way by denying ourselves the
master of the flesh, and instead, choosing to do those things we ought
to do to make ourselves and our world around us a better place in order
to glorify His Name, we experience true freedom. The truly free
experience a peace that no other does. This is the sum total of all of
the teachings in the New Testament. Galatians 13-15 says, "You, my
brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to
indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The
entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as
yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or
you will be destroyed by each other."
Forget spirituality for a moment. Do you hear practical advice here
that would apply to your own life? As a Christian, poor one though I
am, I receive two great gifts from Jesus. The first, of course, is
salvation and the knowledge that this world will not be the end, but
instead, the beginning. The other great gift of faith, though, is
peace. As Christians, we simply do not see the world as others do. We
are literally aliens in a foreign land. A financial loss, while
painful, is still material loss, and because we are not enslaved to the
material, is not something that would cause such overwhelming pain as to
make us take irrational action like suicide or murder, as has happened
recently with a quarterback whose life ended far too early. Death,
also, does not hold the sting as it does for someone who sees it as an
ultimate end. Does this mean that we don't feel, don't empathize, or
are robots muddling our way through life dependent upon the Bible to
dictate to us what to feel and how to feel it? Of course not. As human
beings, we feel hurt just as deeply as the next person. The difference
is that, when drowning in a sea of sorrows, Christ has provided us with
a lifeline to hang onto.
Some would ask if we aren't making the Christian life our master. To a
degree, yes, but God is a father, not a slave-driver. The actions we
take to live the life we are taught are as necessary as breathing and
eating, and thus, unavoidable. This living the Christian life is the
fight we must all fight during our brief physical existence. I say
fight, because it is certainly a constant struggle, as our fleshly
natures constantly quarrel with us to win us back over to the material
side. Thomas Jefferson once said that "Occasionally the tree of Liberty
must be watered with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants" in
acknowledgement that there will always be a struggle to maintain freedom
from those who would take it away from us. This holds true with the
spiritual just as surely as it does with the physical and the political.
As Americans, we sometimes lose sight of the fact that freedom and
fighting go hand-in-hand, as we have had it given to us for so long.
Those who have once lived under the oppression of a tyrant seem to
appreciate this aspect of freedom more than we do, and because of it,
cherish it even more deeply. Only by fighting the good fight can we
defend our freedom and live a life unhindered by anyone or anything who
would knock us off of our path.
Trusting Inconsistent Gospels
The following was a response to a question in one of the forums. The question was essentially how Christians can trust the Gospels with the clear inconsistencies in them. I am not a preacher or anyone special...just a layperson...but I am a Believer, and I felt compelled to chip in. I've had some positive responses to it, so I thought I'd post it here, too.
==
Dennis, I can only speak for myself, but I can tell you what I believe. What your are referring to is faith. I know that the Gospels are written by men who witnessed the actions of Christ and wrote after-the-fact, producing, just like any other event with multiple witnesses, different points of view. I actually would be more suspicious if their viewpoints all meshed perfectly, as it would seem to be more coordinated rather than eyewitness testimony. Still, everything covered in the Gospels happened a couple of thousand years ago. I have faith, not in the words of the men who wrote the Gospels, but in the God who motivated the words. By worship, study, and prayer, I develop a relationship with Him, and it is through that relationship that faith grows, just as experience and communication develop trust and faith between husband and wife. I believe that Christ was the Son of God, that He died to pay the price of my sins, that He rose again, and that I will sit with Him one day. Faith backed with concrete evidence is not faith at all. One would not be demonstrating love and faith by taking action based on something that has such a proponderence of evidence that it seems to leave no other choice. Only by faith in Christ can I demonstrate love for Him. I have nothing else to give that he doesn't already have.
==
Dennis, I can only speak for myself, but I can tell you what I believe. What your are referring to is faith. I know that the Gospels are written by men who witnessed the actions of Christ and wrote after-the-fact, producing, just like any other event with multiple witnesses, different points of view. I actually would be more suspicious if their viewpoints all meshed perfectly, as it would seem to be more coordinated rather than eyewitness testimony. Still, everything covered in the Gospels happened a couple of thousand years ago. I have faith, not in the words of the men who wrote the Gospels, but in the God who motivated the words. By worship, study, and prayer, I develop a relationship with Him, and it is through that relationship that faith grows, just as experience and communication develop trust and faith between husband and wife. I believe that Christ was the Son of God, that He died to pay the price of my sins, that He rose again, and that I will sit with Him one day. Faith backed with concrete evidence is not faith at all. One would not be demonstrating love and faith by taking action based on something that has such a proponderence of evidence that it seems to leave no other choice. Only by faith in Christ can I demonstrate love for Him. I have nothing else to give that he doesn't already have.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Down the Societal Drain
You know, one of the things that aggravates me when I read comments on the newspaper I frequent online, Chron.com, is the conversation that takes place when people start discussing illegal immigration. (As usual, this is going to start off sounding like I'm talking about a political subject, but stick with me...this isn't actually about illegal immigration.) For the record, I believe something needs to be done about illegal immigration, and I don't believe the answer is amnesty, but I've noticed an argument that folks throw out there when they're discussing it. Over and over, it is (rightfully) stated that illegal immigrants are a drain on American society, using medical and educational resources without paying back into the system.
That got me to thinking. How many citizens do we have doing the same basic thing? I believe this goes beyond simply paying taxes, so I'm not just talking about tax cheats here. How many people actually do something altruistic for the world around them, simply for trying to make life a little better for others without the expectation of some kind of reward? I'd like to say I did that as a soldier, but the truth is, it was a job. I got paid. As I've said before, I didn't do what I did for noble reasons, but simply for survival of a decision I made as a naive kid to join up. I'd also like to think that, as a teacher, I do that, but again, there's that pesky paycheck.
Altruism comes in a much more subtle form. It comes in the form of mowing a neighbor's front yard when you mow yours because she's a single mom, and you know she doesn't have the time to do it. It comes in the form of volunteering at your local school, or performing church missions.
One of the downfalls of our society, I believe, is Americans' tendency to throw money at an issue and believe that will make a problem go away. Those of us on the conservative side of the fence point to liberals all the time with that accusation, but honestly, we're just as guilty. As an educator in the inner city, I can't tell you how many good, decent people I've invited to have lunch with me that have never taken me up on it because they don't want to come to my part of town. These are the same people that tithe at church every Sunday, that donate to good causes, that will give money to someone standing on the corner.
Why won't people donate time instead of money? Time is so much more precious than money, and it's something that everyone has. You may be a very, very busy person, but the truth is, if you decide something is important enough, you will make time for it. There are so many organizations begging for people to help, too. Whether it's your local school, a church, Rotary club, Lions club, homeless shelter, women's shelter, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, or one of a thousand others, the one common theme is they need help.
Last Wednesday, I participated in my second mission with my church. We went to goverment housing and passed out loaves of bread. It was absolutely one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. It was actually kind of funny, as people would open their door with clearcut suspicion (I'm a big, goofy, white guy and was clearly out of place). The change when they understood what I was doing was fun.
When's the last time you did something purely without the expectation of reward. Yes, I understand there's the philosophical argument that the pleasure of doing a job is a reward, thus altruism doesn't exist, but I live in the real world, not the theoretical. Jesus lived his life this way, paying attention to the little things, hanging out with people others found disdainful. He helped those around him simply because he could, without expectation of reward.
Are you making your world a better place without the expectation of reward, or are you mercenary, expecting your little bit of the till for every action you take? If you've been living your life as the latter (as I've been guilty of in the past), I'd argue that you are the illegal alien, living for yourself and loved ones without giving back. That's a harsh statement, but when you really think about it, you make money through time. Shouldn't you give some time back?
That got me to thinking. How many citizens do we have doing the same basic thing? I believe this goes beyond simply paying taxes, so I'm not just talking about tax cheats here. How many people actually do something altruistic for the world around them, simply for trying to make life a little better for others without the expectation of some kind of reward? I'd like to say I did that as a soldier, but the truth is, it was a job. I got paid. As I've said before, I didn't do what I did for noble reasons, but simply for survival of a decision I made as a naive kid to join up. I'd also like to think that, as a teacher, I do that, but again, there's that pesky paycheck.
Altruism comes in a much more subtle form. It comes in the form of mowing a neighbor's front yard when you mow yours because she's a single mom, and you know she doesn't have the time to do it. It comes in the form of volunteering at your local school, or performing church missions.
One of the downfalls of our society, I believe, is Americans' tendency to throw money at an issue and believe that will make a problem go away. Those of us on the conservative side of the fence point to liberals all the time with that accusation, but honestly, we're just as guilty. As an educator in the inner city, I can't tell you how many good, decent people I've invited to have lunch with me that have never taken me up on it because they don't want to come to my part of town. These are the same people that tithe at church every Sunday, that donate to good causes, that will give money to someone standing on the corner.
Why won't people donate time instead of money? Time is so much more precious than money, and it's something that everyone has. You may be a very, very busy person, but the truth is, if you decide something is important enough, you will make time for it. There are so many organizations begging for people to help, too. Whether it's your local school, a church, Rotary club, Lions club, homeless shelter, women's shelter, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, or one of a thousand others, the one common theme is they need help.
Last Wednesday, I participated in my second mission with my church. We went to goverment housing and passed out loaves of bread. It was absolutely one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. It was actually kind of funny, as people would open their door with clearcut suspicion (I'm a big, goofy, white guy and was clearly out of place). The change when they understood what I was doing was fun.
When's the last time you did something purely without the expectation of reward. Yes, I understand there's the philosophical argument that the pleasure of doing a job is a reward, thus altruism doesn't exist, but I live in the real world, not the theoretical. Jesus lived his life this way, paying attention to the little things, hanging out with people others found disdainful. He helped those around him simply because he could, without expectation of reward.
Are you making your world a better place without the expectation of reward, or are you mercenary, expecting your little bit of the till for every action you take? If you've been living your life as the latter (as I've been guilty of in the past), I'd argue that you are the illegal alien, living for yourself and loved ones without giving back. That's a harsh statement, but when you really think about it, you make money through time. Shouldn't you give some time back?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Civilization Without Civility
Stay with me here, because it's going to start out sounding like I'm talking politics, and I'm really not.
I've only been on the boards of the Houston Chronicle for a short while, and I'm shocked by something. While there are good ideas and bad ones here, almost all are presented in a light that they shouldn't. Comments on stories are rife with sarcasm, bitterness, and hatred. Democrats crow about BO and how the other folks "better move away", Republicans spew venom right back, saying how he's actually a traitor, Dems better watch out, etc. A simple story about a 100-0 basketball game caused a furor, because there are many, many people out there that feel "those teenagers deserve what they get."
No wonder Christ so often shook his head in dispair and remarked about how blind we are. One look at the Chronicle boards confirms it. Even a good idea has no merit when it is presented in such a way as to demean the opposing viewpoint as much as possible. As Americans, we want to place the blame for the hatred of our country and our way of life on external factors: Islamic intolerance, European snobbery, jealosy of what we have. In truth, we need to look inward. Unlike any country I have been to, (and I've been to many), the people of the United States have forgotten what it means to be civil.
Being civil doesn't mean you have to agree with someone. It doesn't mean you have to kiss up to them. It simply means that, when a retort comes to mind that is emotional in nature rather than an advancement of an arguement, you do not say it. Attacking people serves no purpose, no matter how indignant or self-righteous one might feel.
Christ talked about love constantly. In Leviticus, we are charged with "You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall reason with your neighbor, and shall suffer no sin upon him. You shall not avenge, nor hold any grudge against the children of your people, but shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."
Notice the "shalls" there? It's not optional. It's not just "being nice" to hold your peace every now and then. For those of us who claim to be people of faith, we are ordered to do this. Christ was (and is) called every name in the book, yet He never responded to it. As Christians, we are supposed to follow His example. How many Christians become "holier than thou" and belittle others for choices they do not agree with? I was taught to hate the sin, but to love the sinner. I don't know about you, but, in loving someone, I do not belittle. I do not demean or insult. I do not injure, either physically, emotionally, mentally, or verbally. Instead, out of love, I pull that person closer. I share. I discuss. I dialogue and comfort.
One last thought, as it was politics that got me to thinking about this. We get the leaders we deserve. The Bible also backs this up. Instead of pouting if a leader on any level comes into your life, what about looking inside to see what could cause you to deserve such a leader? If, (and I say this only for the point of demonstration), IF President Obama really is a horrible person who shouldn't be in his position, or IF President Bush was evil, what did we do, as a country, to deserve them? Perhaps a lack of civility, an inability to love our neighbors, created the situation in the first place.
I've only been on the boards of the Houston Chronicle for a short while, and I'm shocked by something. While there are good ideas and bad ones here, almost all are presented in a light that they shouldn't. Comments on stories are rife with sarcasm, bitterness, and hatred. Democrats crow about BO and how the other folks "better move away", Republicans spew venom right back, saying how he's actually a traitor, Dems better watch out, etc. A simple story about a 100-0 basketball game caused a furor, because there are many, many people out there that feel "those teenagers deserve what they get."
No wonder Christ so often shook his head in dispair and remarked about how blind we are. One look at the Chronicle boards confirms it. Even a good idea has no merit when it is presented in such a way as to demean the opposing viewpoint as much as possible. As Americans, we want to place the blame for the hatred of our country and our way of life on external factors: Islamic intolerance, European snobbery, jealosy of what we have. In truth, we need to look inward. Unlike any country I have been to, (and I've been to many), the people of the United States have forgotten what it means to be civil.
Being civil doesn't mean you have to agree with someone. It doesn't mean you have to kiss up to them. It simply means that, when a retort comes to mind that is emotional in nature rather than an advancement of an arguement, you do not say it. Attacking people serves no purpose, no matter how indignant or self-righteous one might feel.
Christ talked about love constantly. In Leviticus, we are charged with "You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall reason with your neighbor, and shall suffer no sin upon him. You shall not avenge, nor hold any grudge against the children of your people, but shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."
Notice the "shalls" there? It's not optional. It's not just "being nice" to hold your peace every now and then. For those of us who claim to be people of faith, we are ordered to do this. Christ was (and is) called every name in the book, yet He never responded to it. As Christians, we are supposed to follow His example. How many Christians become "holier than thou" and belittle others for choices they do not agree with? I was taught to hate the sin, but to love the sinner. I don't know about you, but, in loving someone, I do not belittle. I do not demean or insult. I do not injure, either physically, emotionally, mentally, or verbally. Instead, out of love, I pull that person closer. I share. I discuss. I dialogue and comfort.
One last thought, as it was politics that got me to thinking about this. We get the leaders we deserve. The Bible also backs this up. Instead of pouting if a leader on any level comes into your life, what about looking inside to see what could cause you to deserve such a leader? If, (and I say this only for the point of demonstration), IF President Obama really is a horrible person who shouldn't be in his position, or IF President Bush was evil, what did we do, as a country, to deserve them? Perhaps a lack of civility, an inability to love our neighbors, created the situation in the first place.
Onward Christian Soldiers
As a veteran, it amuses me to hear the noble reasons that civilians attach to military service. Sure, as young kids, we may have originally signed up for God, country, and family, but in the end, you don't do the job for any of these things. You do the job for the guy next to you. You do it because you and he share a bond...a bond of living on the edge of death, together, on a day-to-day basis. Each of you lives with the knowledge that the other might have to be called upon to give the ultimate sacrifice. It is not fear of death, but instead, a recognition of the willingness to give up life that bonds you.
If, by chance, the "other guy" does end up maimed or dead, there is a realization that your life is not your own. Many combat veterans have referred to themselves as "dead men." This is hard to understand for civilians. What they are trying to make understood is the fact that they should be dead, if not for the actions of another. In living, they have a debt that cannot be repaid. The responsibility that one assumes when another has given his life is too great to be repaid through any act of service. One can only live his life with the vitality, integrity, and honesty demanded to remember and honor such a selfless act.
As a Christian, the parallels in what I learned as a soldier are striking. Over and over, the Bible refers to us as soldiers. In Ephesians 6, we are told to wear the "armor of God." We are told to gird ourselves with truth, to wear the breastplate of righteousness, to don the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. As Christians, we do fight in a war. It is a war fought not for lives, but for the souls of the children of God. And, as in all wars, there is the "other guy" fighting next to you. The difference is, you already owe the debt, because He has already made the sacrifice. Don't try to pay it back with acts of service because it can't be done. Instead, like the combat soldier, try to live your life in such a way as to honor Him.
If, by chance, the "other guy" does end up maimed or dead, there is a realization that your life is not your own. Many combat veterans have referred to themselves as "dead men." This is hard to understand for civilians. What they are trying to make understood is the fact that they should be dead, if not for the actions of another. In living, they have a debt that cannot be repaid. The responsibility that one assumes when another has given his life is too great to be repaid through any act of service. One can only live his life with the vitality, integrity, and honesty demanded to remember and honor such a selfless act.
As a Christian, the parallels in what I learned as a soldier are striking. Over and over, the Bible refers to us as soldiers. In Ephesians 6, we are told to wear the "armor of God." We are told to gird ourselves with truth, to wear the breastplate of righteousness, to don the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. As Christians, we do fight in a war. It is a war fought not for lives, but for the souls of the children of God. And, as in all wars, there is the "other guy" fighting next to you. The difference is, you already owe the debt, because He has already made the sacrifice. Don't try to pay it back with acts of service because it can't be done. Instead, like the combat soldier, try to live your life in such a way as to honor Him.
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