We're Proud of Our Veterans

Veteran's Day serves as a reminder each year of the great sacrifices made by those who have fought for our country. It is a day to give honor to those to whom honor is due(See Romans 13:7). All of the wars that have been fought to preserve our freedoms and safeguard our democracy have demanded payment of a great price by our soldiers. They have left their homes and families, their jobs, their places of safety to go into harm's way. They have done so unselfishly for the benefit of others more than themselves. In speaking of Jesus sacrifice, Paul said in Romans 5:7, "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die." Yes, they have risked and some given their lives. Those brave men who have fought for us are indeed worthy of honor.

But what about the spiritual veterans? Will we honor those who have fought in our wars and not show honor to those who have fought many battles to preserve and defend the truth. There are many who have gone before us who have sacrificed tremendously that we might enjoy a knowledge of our Saviour and that we might be in his kingdom and have opportunity to be saved. Do we show appreciation to these?
What about those who have taught us the gospel of Christ. Paul did not bring it up for his own benefit, but he reminded Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, "I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay--not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides." (Philemon 1:19) Perhaps it was your parents, or your preacher, or an elder or a dear lady who taught your childhood Bible class, but someone helped you to come to know Jesus. Have you taken the time to give any honor to them?
Paul reminded the young preacher, "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine."(1 Timothy 5:17). I am often reminded of the sacrifices that my own Dad made to serve as an elder in the church. I remember fondly those who labored diligently and stood for truth and helped me in so many ways, that are now gone on to their reward, in the Maytown church. I was a very young preacher when I came here and having those "veteran" elders by my side was invaluable. They wanted to do what was right in God's sight and what was best for every church member.

If you, like many of us, are second, third or more generation Christians, you have had those in your family who have paid the price of sacrifice and suffering to remain faithful to our blessed Lord. You are faithful because the "old folks" did not forsake the law of God. Have you thanked them?

Of course our gratitude is first and foremost to be to God. Were it not for our Lord's supreme
sacrifice, none could be saved. Peter said in 1 Peter 3:18, "For Christ also suffered once for
sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God..." One can not live long enough,
to honor him enough. But let's not forget to honor all of our "veteran saints" who have fought
the good fight of faith.
David Courington