Honor

On this Veteran's Day, we have an opportunity to reflect on principles upon which our nation is based; certainly there are principles which are consistent with what we read in God's Word. And, we recognize those who have served our country in order to uphold these principles, which are rooted in the concept of freedom - including the freedom to practice our Christian faith and to speak freely.  The government is directed not to interfere with what is called the "free exercise" of religion.  Our veterans, who demonstrated the concept of self-sacrifice, certainly deserved to be honored on this special day, as a ministry chaplain highlighted recently in a piece on the CBN website.  He wrote: "Anytime is a good time to pay respect and give honor to whom it is due, as we are reminded in Romans 13:7: (RSV) 'Pay all of them their dues…respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.'"

Chaplain Bill Adams writes:

Is there a veteran in your life? No doubt, at least one veteran has impacted your life. He or she could be your grandparent or parent, your neighbor, a fellow church member, a teacher, a local official, or any citizen filling a role of service to the community long after their time in uniform was over.

You might have awareness of that veteran's service, whether fighting a war or keeping the peace, but perhaps you're curious about how to honor them this Veteran's Day. And so, I offer this suggestion: Search out the veteran in your extended family, just down the street, homeless at the assistance center, or in comfortable assisted living, and make this simple request of them…

Please tell me your story.

Chaplain Adams shared about a man he met while at West Point.  He described him in this manner: "Herbert Jack Lloyd of Hope, Arkansas entered the U.S. Army a Private in 1955 and rose to the rank of Brigadier General, retiring in 1992. That's 37 years of uniformed service. Well beyond active duty, he served our national security in undisclosed ways and places."  He went on to write that he encountered General Lloyd as a Major.  He stated:

He loved soldiers, even the cadet version of them.  

Herb Lloyd was tough as nails and could "burn" you in a moment if you transgressed, but his aim was always to make you a better person, a better officer. In regard to duty and honor, he repeatedly admonished, "Men, if you mess up, take your hits and press on!"      
     
Separation of church and state? Not in Major Lloyd's world. After seeing so many die on the battlefield, he coached us many times over, "Boys, you get up to Chapel on Sunday. Don't wait till you're on the battlefield to look for God — you'll be crying for your momma. You need to get right with God — now!"

General Lloyd died in 2015; he was 79.  He had written his own obituary, and said: "It is only fitting that I should die in service to our cause. We all have but one death to spend, and for it to have deep meaning, death should be with others who are prepared to give their lives to the cause of Christian Civilization and Liberty. If there is nothing worth dying for, there is nothing worth living for. Service to the cause has been my life and has been full and rewarding, and it has exacted its price. It is only just."

Adams went on to quote from Romans 13:8-9 (RSV): "Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. The commandments…are summed up in this sentence, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" He said: "Your veteran would probably never dream of you owing him or her anything, but when they receive the love of Jesus through you, they will know you are their neighbor...," and encouraged readers to "give it that extra effort for those who sacrificed and served."

As believers in Christ, we each have to maintain our view that we are part of a just cause - the cause of Christ.  And, we should devote our energy, intensified by the Holy Spirit, to carry out His orders.  We should be forthright in standing strong for the cause of freedom, and show honor to those who have demonstrated that commitment in their lives.

Our veterans have sworn an oath to defend our country, and that can remind us of the self-sacrifice that they have made and that all Christians have pledged to carry out.  Our Savior gave His life for us and expects us and empowers us to humble ourselves before Him and put the needs of others above our own.