Honor and Sacrifice...

May 25, 2009

Danielle Joyner Kelley

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15.

Spiritual health blossoms when a person looks past their own needs to thank someone who has done something for them. In America, we have certain days marked throughout the year to celebrate this act, and we call them holidays. In truth we do not need a holiday to celebrate the selfless and sacrificial acts that others have done for our benefit. Those acts do not change when the holiday ends, instead they remain alive minute by minute, year by year.

Christians celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the biggest sacrifice ever paid for their own souls. Undoubtedly, it was just that: the biggest sacrifice. On Christmas and Easter, we celebrate this sacrifice. Still throughout the year, God’s commands to us remain the same, and God never changes. "I the LORD do not change.” Malachi 3:6. Every day of the year we should celebrate the sacrifice that Jesus paid to save us all. We should walk in it, live it, model that behavior, and give ourselves over to something greater.

Some of us do, minute by minute, year by year. Our military, law enforcement, and so many others on the front line of danger sacrifice themselves every minute to protect others. In turn, those people model the behavior the greatest Teacher the Earth has ever known demonstrated throughout His life, and even in His death. “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40. Whether known or not, those individuals live out God’s commands in the most impressive way: sacrifice. A sacrifice is something done for someone who never asked for it. These individuals do not merely do us a favor, as a favor is something that is done when we ask them to. Their decision to commit their lives to protecting our own is not a favor, it is a sacrifice.

In a society where much is taken for granted, we stop to remember those individuals. Every minute of every day there are individuals stationed overseas, fighting wars, training, fighting fires, responding to 911 calls for help and spending time away from their own lives in order to protect yours. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10.

In a world like the one we live in today, peace is not something that happens upon us by chance. Peace must be actively sought, and these individuals have committed their lives to seeking it, and you reap the benefit of their work. They follow God’s command to “seek peace and pursue it”. “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:14.

Just as God sent His Son to die for us and save us, we did nothing to earn it. God’s grace and love for you made it all possible. Likewise, we have done nothing to cause a person to want to fight for our country or to take up a dangerous occupation in order to provide peace. That is a choice made that in turn benefits us all.

In our society, we live under the privilege the First Amendment provides, and frequently we hear others speak out against war and battles we are fighting abroad. This is the moment where you stop to realize who protects that First Amendment right, and who fights to make it all possible. Regardless of how some of us feel, there are individuals across the world willing to die for that right and forgo their own lives in order to protect your right to speak. This type of sacrifice is hard for many to wrap their minds around. That is because it is the greatest love possible, and the love God has for all of us. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

Their desire to seek peace, and sacrifice themselves is something that God is not only proud of, but He will reward beyond any expectation we could possibly have. “When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7.

Yes, wars will be fought in the name of peace. One opposite brings another. The death of Jesus brought life to us all. God wants peace to reign. “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33. Jesus gave His life for us all to have life, and our armed forces do the same in order to provide us with security, peace, and protection. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.

They do not discriminate against those they are fighting for, and are willing to die at any moment for those who argue against their cause and those who support it. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18.

They humble themselves and risk all they have, while leaving families behind, for a cause greater than their own lives and leave families behind. At every turn they place others ahead of themselves. “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:1-4.

Through their efforts they create an example of selflessness that we should strive to emulate at every point in our lives. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11.

Such selflessness is deserving of our undying gratitude, and Praise to God. “True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.” Malachi 2:6.

As I stop to remember who has provided me the protection to write this, I thank them with all of my heart. Their sacrifice and willingness provides a blanket of peace for us to sleep under, and a path of peace for us to walk in. This much I know, God is watching, and proud of their example. "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8.

Let us all remember the blood that is shed in order to save our own.