Friday, September 29, 2006 "The Military Spirit"

Friday, September 29, 2006

"The Military Spirit"

From Julie's Keyboard:
How Do I live the "Christian Life?" So many rules! How Do I Keep From Breaking Them? Can I Keep From Breaking Them?

Tough questions! Are there adequate answers, or should folks just struggle along and give life their very best? Once again, it likely depends on how we interpret the Gospel that's been given unto us.

Collosians 2&3 has some things to say that could give us right perspective on these issues if we'd take a close look.

We might think if we don't "cuss, drink, or chew nor run with those that do" that we have achieved a measure of clean living. But what about this in all reality? After all folks, we can certainly find more rules than these to go along with purity and right living. Even if we can push back the plate and handle the gluttony issue or keep our slick tongues from slandering our fellowmen, what about those things we know to do that we sometimes omit?

Ouch! You see, if we're bound to keep a law book, we're in serious trouble. Thank God for His rich and abundant grace and mercy that reaches out to all who will receive.

Read with me and meditate on this passage....

"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments(elements) of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances (decrees, rules), (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; NOT in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth......."Colossians 2:20-3:25
It just seems that if I really get to know Him, the problems with these rules will not be such a problem at all. What do you think????

Have a blessed week!
Julie

-------------------------------------------------------------

Rev. Samuel Davies
Personal Note: It has recently been reported that our Military Chaplains have been ordered not to pray in the Name of Jesus or propagate their faith. The following excepts reveal a very different view towards the religious aspects of our military. The Sermon was delivered at a time of great pearl and danger to our nation. Much like today, our nation had enjoyed much prosperity and peace at home, but an enemy had invaded that peace and left us with no recourse but to respond. With that I leave you with the words of Rev. Samuel Davis:

May God bless each of you,

David & Julie

Be of good courage and play the men for your People and for the cities of your God;
II Samuel 10:12
“. . . as God well knew what a world of degenerate, ambitious, and revengeful creatures this is, as He knew that innocence could not be protected, property and liberty secured, nor the lives of mankind preserved from the lawless hands of ambition, avarice, and tyranny without the use of the sword, as He knew this would be the only method to preserve mankind from universal slavery, He has formed some men for this dreadful work and sired them with a marital [military] spirit and a glorious love of danger. Such a spirit (though most pernicious when ungoverned by the rules of justice and benevolence to mankind, is a public blessing when rightly directed. . . .

Our continent is likely to become the seat of war; and we, for the future . . . have no other way left to defend our rights and privileges. And has God been pleased to diffuse some sparks of this martial [military] fire through our country? I hope He has; and though it has been almost extinguished by so long a peace and a deluge of luxury and pleasure, now I hope it begins to kindle . . .

Well cherish it as a sacred Heaven born fire, and let the injuries done to your country administer fuel to it and kindle it in those breasts where it has been hitherto smothered or inactive. . . .
O my countrymen, and particularly you brave men that are the occasion of this meeting, repent! Fall down upon your knees before the provoked Sovereign of Heaven and Earth against whom you have rebelled. . . . He is Christ the Lord.

This I earnestly recommend to all my hearers and especially to you gentlemen and others that are now about generously to risk your lives for your country. . . . You have answered the end of life already by preparing for another; and how can you depart off this mortal stage more honorably than in the cause of liberty, of religion, and your country? . . .

We are engaged in a righteous cause, we are not urged on by an unbounded lust of power or riches to encroach upon the rights and properties of others and disturb our quit neighbors. We act entirely upon the defensive, repel unjust violence, and avenge national injuries; we are fighting for our people and for the cities of our God. . . .

He has condescended to be a God to our nation and to honor our cities with His gracious presence and the institutions of His worship, the means to make us wise, good, and happy. But now these most invaluable blessings lie at stake, these are the prize for which we contend; and must it not excite all our active powers to the highest pitch of exertion? Shall we tamely submit to idolatry and religious tyranny? No! God forbid! Let us play the men since we take up arms for our people and the cities of our God. - - - - Samuel Davies. Religion and Patriotism; The Constituents of a Good Soldier. A sermon Preached to Captain Overton’s Independent Company of Volunteers, raifed in Hanover County, Virginia, August 17, 1755.

Excepted from “Celebrate Liberty! Famous Patriotic Speeches & Sermons” by David Barton of WallBuilders www.wallbuilders.com