Memorial Day

by: Josh Robinson

On the last Monday in May, this nation celebrates Memorial Day. It is a national holiday that is dedicated to the fallen soldiers who have gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country, so that we might live in freedom. From the limited amount of research that I have been able to do, over 1.5 million Americans have died in service to their country. I would like to express my gratitude and respect to all those who gave their lives, have served, or are serving in the Armed Forces. THANK YOU! On this Memorial Day, as we stop to pay our respects to those who have given their lives for our freedoms, let us remember other who have died for a the greatest cause of all.

During this national holiday, let us take a moment to observe a SPIRITUAL MEMORIAL DAY. As noted above, there have been over 1.5 million Americans who have died for their country. In contrast, there have been over 70 million “CHRISTIANS” who have died for their beliefs. (World Christian Encyclopedia (2001) According to the source mentioned, this number includes anyone who died prematurely, by human aggression for expressing their beliefs. These individuals (for the most part) died so that we can continue to worship God in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24) These martyrs began in the first century and continue to this day. Many sources are available for further study in this area, one of the best being, Fox’s Book of Martyrs. It is accepted that all of the apostles, save John, were put to death for their beliefs, and untold Christians were murdered and exterminated during the persecutions of the 1st century. I would, however, like to look to the New Testament for examples of those who gave their life for the faith we now possess.

Jesus Christ died for our faith (to establish our faith!)
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8) For further study please read the following chapters: Matthew 26-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24, and John 18-20.

Stephen died for his faith in the Lord,
Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.…But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him…. he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:54-60)

Anitpas died for his faith in Christ.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. "'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (Rev 2:12-13)

As we remember the fallen heroes of this nation during Memorial Day, let us also remember the fallen heroes of our faith. Because of the unwavering faith that these martyrs demonstrated, and of God’s unfathomable grace, mercy, longsuffering, and providence, we can worship proudly.

Let's Take Our Boots Off!

A while back, we hosted the monthly preacher’s meeting here at Arnold. I was pleased to see so many of the area preachers gather together to teach, learn, and have fellowship together. The topics that were selected were very timely and included “Encouraging the Brethren”, “Encouraging the Preacher”, and “Evangelism.” During the course of these lessons, two main points came out. That we have to always preach the whole council of God, and preach that truth in love! On particular passage come to mind in reference to these ideas, Paul states in II Tim 4:2-5

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Paul is encouraging Timothy to preach the whole council of God, in love, when people want to hear, and also when they don’t. Because the time will come, when people won’t want to hear the truth, but will need it even more. Paul is encouraging Timothy to endure afflictions, because as a preacher he was going to have to step on toes. That comes with the territory of “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. And the time comes when we all need to have our toes stepped on a little bit. In regards to this, someone pointed out that too many people go into services with Steel Toe Boots on. I would say to everyone with this mindset, LET’S TAKE OUR BOOTS OFF!!!

To grow and mature as Christians, we sometimes have to allow ourselves to be reproved and rebuked. We can’t develop a hardened heart, from leaving our boots on, sometimes we have to be willing to take them off and be reminded that we still have room to grow as Christians. This is the way the Lord intended. Notice Acts 2:37, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” These people were “pricked in their heart.” It is hard to, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another… (Col 3:16) without first taking off your boots. If we allow ourselves to be humbled, as the master was humbled then we may grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, as all good children should.

When we go into church, ready to defend our lifestyles and choices from whatever is taught in class, and delivered from the pulpit, we not only have on steel toe boots, but also a hardened heart. Brethren, let us take off our boots, so that the Word of God may prick our hearts, and we may grow thereby.

--Josh Robinson