It is helpful to think of Christians as a reserve army. What is a reserve army, exactly? It is an army that has been trained exactly like the regular army, but after being trained, returns to civilian life until it is called into service.
The reserve army continues to do some training to stay sharp as soldiers and it may or may not be called upon to serve the nation.
This is a good example in many ways of the lives that Christians live today. The day we decide to follow Jesus is the day that we sign upon the line, so to speak, and join His fighting force. We even teach our children to sing out, “I’m in the Lord’s Army! Yes sir!”
Our coming to worship services on Sundays and Wednesdays is the equivalent, or should I say, should be the equivalent, of our training to stay sharp. It’s not our effort that keeps us sharp, but rather the directions given to us by our Commander in Chief (And no, that is NOT the preacher).
The trouble is, we forget we are the Lord’s Army. What do I mean? I mean that we come to church services and hear direct orders from our commander, Jesus, and treat those commands as if they are instead, suggestions. Can you imagine what a military commander would do if a soldier simply ignored a direct command?
Yet today people treat Christianity as if it is a buffet. They take a little of this and that and are glad to take the things they like but there are also things they won’t touch, things that are distasteful to them.
The real trouble is that there are many who believe they have joined the Lord’s cause, but they are simply playing dress up. I own a wonderful coat that was given to me by my father-in-law who is retired from the United States Air Force. It still bears his stripes signifying his military ranking and sometimes when I wear it people mistake me for a veteran and I have to correct them.
In the same way, many are walking around wearing the name Christian, but have committed to nothing. They look the part, but when called to service, they quickly slink away.
Jesus treated would-be followers much differently than we do. When a person declared their loyalty, Jesus would look upon their heart and then say something to call their loyalty into question. Most of these people then left Jesus. Sound harsh? It’s not really. Jesus is just that valuable. To follow Him, His demand is ALL of you. If you are not willing to give all, He will have no part of you. When He gives a command, He expects it to be followed.
You might be thinking, “Wes, this is all too hardcore. It’s not what I was taught.” Remember the analogy – we are a reserve army. I’ve known some reserve soldiers who never left civilian life and others that were called to serve our country in foreign lands, engaging in vicious battles.
It’s quite similar in the Christian life. Sometimes we’re called to great sacrifices and to do things of great difficulty. Sometimes the service we do is much humbler in nature. When we decide to follow Jesus, we have no idea where He might lead us, but to follow Him we must be willing to do whatever He commands. Matthew 10:29, Jesus said,
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
What is Jesus calling you to do? Are you His to command or simply wearing His name in the name of comfort or fashion? Do not be self-deceived. If you claim Him, you are His to command. If you do not obey Him, you do not belong to Him.
Much love,
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
