8:08pm | It’s Time For More Than Change

What is the difference between military people and civilians?

What is the difference between the rest of the world and someone who makes the claim of being a Christian? Unfortunately, there is rarely a difference.
While we have massive buildings and TV programs and lots and lots of preachers there is seldom even a hint of separation from those who claim the banner of Jesus Christ and those who do not. Yes, that is a generalization, and I know that there are those who live their life with distinction from the norm.

My point is why do we act like that is ok? Why do we think for a second that we do not have to follow the Bible? Why do we think that hearing is enough?

James 1:
Doers—Not Hearers Only

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone among you[b] thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

A soldier does not entangle himself with the affairs of the world because those things do not concern him.  He operates on a whole different plain of existence.  The soldier knows that the kingdom he works for will provide for him and meet his needs. In return, he acts according to their wishes.

While those who are not soldiers  may have the same knowledge of the soldiers, even access to some of their training and weaponry, they are not under the same code of honor. They are not required to be submitted to what they hear. A soldier, on the other hand, MUST be obedient to what he hears. He must be submitted at all costs.  Take our chief example: Jesus. He came and died, not according to His will, but the will of the Father. Jesus was submitted to His mission at any cost, and His life was not His own.

It is humbling to think that for all this time we have neglected this whole truth.  Our life is not our own.  Do we truly consult the Father on His orders? More often than not, the answer sadly is no.  The orders come from the time spent with the Father.  Time listening to what it is that He wants to tell us and how He wants us to go about the things he has planned.  The reason that we have trouble is because we don’t, or perhaps won’t, take the time to fear the Lord and listen to Him.

2 Timothy 2:3-6

³ You therefore must endure^[a] hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴ No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this⁵ And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, and may^[b] the Lord give you understanding in all things. life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

In Christ –

Seth