Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
10 9 2023
The World is Making it Hard to be a Christian Man! Will You Rise Up?
Are you A PRIVATE, A SARGENT, PERHAPS a LIEUTENANT, CAPTAIN, OR a GENERAL in the work you do and or the life you lead? That typically speaks to your level of responsibility and trustworthiness, your ability to be a forward thinker and be accountable. In the military, men and women are expected to obey orders, and over time learn to give orders…bottom line, it means stepping up, and being a man. They stand up for Honor..Code…Duty
I read that of all the Army values, honor is the one that embodies all the others. Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity, and personal courage in everything you do, We demonstrate honor by doing the honorable thing even when no one is around to witness it and striving to do the right thing at all times. In doing so, a solid reputation is built making it easier for the people around you to trust you. “Without honor, you cannot count on someone to do the right thing unless you are watching them all the time, and that is impossible to do,” said Kevin Fleischmann,
So do you have honor? Who even asks that question nowadays? Of course, I have honor! Some might even be offended by being asked the question. But should we be? I asked a question last week about what your worth is to God. And why He feels about each of us the way he does. What is a man of honor? We are not in the military and these levels of integrity and accountability are typically not trained in society or required when disobedience to a serviceman could bring on a court martial or prison. And so who teaches us to be a man or to man up in the way we live and breathe and have our being?
Service people learn to respect and honor the flag. Command Sgt. Maj. Keith West said, “Every day I awake, whether I am in uniform or civilian clothing, my actions and the way I present myself within the military or civilian community are always focused and centered on my duty and obligation to bring honor to our Profession of Arms,” The article went on to say, “Honor is also a commitment — a commitment to standing behind what you say and do and by simply doing the right thing with no expectation of reward or praise”.
It’s unnerving that the military can train these principles and train their legions to grow in their love for the country, the flag, and freedom. These are real men regardless of gender.
But when I compare the training of the armed services of the United States with the Army of Christ I don’t see the same level of training or commitment to excellence. I don’t see the tenets of our faith and the Ten Commandments held up to the same standards as our armed services hold up their codes of honor that they are willing to die for and I want to know why. What is my part? When do I begin? Where can I go for training? Am I qualified to be a trainer? Or might a better term be called a shepherd? A teacher. A mentor…a pastor, Or a Christian? Do you recall this old hymn?
1 Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
see his banner go!
2 At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
on to victory!
Hell’s foundations’ quiver
at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
loud your anthems raise!
The army can command its troops to fall out and deploy them in an instant to a front line anywhere to put their life on the line…for honor…for duty…for the sake of freedom…no questions asked. They stand at attention and obey. They command those under them who obey with the same resolve, and commitment to excellence. They have all been trained with the same manual. And I hear the scripture in my memory crying out; “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest’” (Matthew 9:35-38) Send out the Christian men…but why are so many not marching forward.
A Christian man who cares for the women and children and keeps them and the church safe. A Christian man dedicated to giving forward in the true spirit of the gospel to raise young men to be brave and passionate about being part of the “Jesus army” and grow into being both a man of honor and a man who will take up the sword and shield and fight back the ugliness of man and the demons that drive them on. 1 cor 16:13 says, “be watchful stand firm in your faith, ACT like Men..be strong”! That means so much more than this gentle, meek man who always is the epitome of kindness to not offend anyone or make them feel they are doing wrong by judging them out loud… No and again I say NO. Jesus was kind to the smallest child and healed the weak and blind but was also The Man of God who overthrew the money changers cheating the people and cleared the temple as a man incensed with passion for what was right. “Acting like a man” was a clear edick for the early churchmen. Joshua 1:19 says it clearly…Be A Man… “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Why don’t we…Why aren’t we? Speaking out about Jesus our personal Savior in small circles may not be so hard but speaking out loudly in public about Jesus Our Lord! Well…….
My friend…that is a command! Not just a good idea…or a request…but a command to be ready to do battle…Yes in today’s world that means using more words than an M-16s but it clearly says we are in a fight… and we are going to have to stand in the spirit and overturn the money changer around us so Our Lord is Heard through the passion and honor of our words speaking into others around us, so we might be a leader of some ranking to lead others into the only battle that fights for an eternal reward.
We will be judged for that one day. Let’s begin today by answering the call
to Spiritual Manhood by saying…
YES Lord…Use me…Send me! I want to be a leader in your army.
You raise me Up Celtic Women
