Some of our young men have recently or are soon headed into the military, so it seems needful to address some thoughts directly to them for this time in their lives. Is it possible that these thoughts also apply to each of us?
Remember your Commander! You will have different instructors and officers, but there is only One Commander that really matters. He is the “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:6), and the Commander whom you should always seek to please (2 Tim. 2:4).
Remember your Rank! Sometimes, in certain settings, we begin to think “we’re all that!” Compared to the Lord, who He is and what He does, we are nothing (1 Cor. 3:7; Gal. 6:3). The greatest rank to which one can attain is “no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God” (Gal. 4:7).
Remember your Rulebook! There will be various policies and expectations in life’s various stations, but there is one Rulebook—the Bible—which should be written on your heart (Psa. 119:11; Heb. 8:10) and which should guide your steps and decisions (Psa. 119:9-10, 105).
Remember your Enemy! In any war, you’ve got to keep your eye on the opponent! Your principal adversary is the devil, who “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). His wily schemes can only be defeated through the strength of the Lord (Eph. 6:10-11).
Remember your Realm! It is sometimes a tricky balance for some people to maintain (maybe especially in the military), but Christians are to be “in the world” but not “of the world” (John 17:11-16). Every effort must be made to not entangle “[your]self with the affairs of this life” (2 Tim. 2:4) but to “set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2).
Remember your Purpose! While “life’s direction” may ebb and flow, one’s purpose must never falter! God has made it clear, “I have created [everyone] for My glory” (Isa. 43:7). Man has no greater or higher purpose than to honor and glorify His Maker!
Remember your Faith! No matter what happens, there is something that no one else on this earth can touch but you alone. Your faith is yours to keep, build and to live, through the power and the love of the Lord!
The reality is that every Christian is enlisted in the army of the Lord and must remember these things (2 Tim. 2:4)!