I pledge allegiance . . .

Several years ago at a Pastor's conference in Chicago, I heard Dr. George Sweeting, former President of Moody Bible Institute, tell about a recent trip he had made to Scotland. Dr. Sweeting had gone there to preach, but he also loved to golf, and was ecstatic when he was invited to play the famous St. Andrews course. Unfortunately, he did not play well. He sliced the ball. He hooked the ball. He hit the ball into sand bunkers and lost the ball in water hazards. By the time he finished the 18th hole, he was utterly embarrassed. He apologized profusely to his caddy, who replied very graciously, "It's okay, Dr. Sweeting. In fact, I have caddied this course for fifty years, and today you have taken me to places I have never before been."

That's how I feel about the stage of parenting my wife and I have recently entered. We are parents of two adult sons, and in recent days they have both "taken us to places we have never before been" (as parents). For example, just yesterday we went to a place in Portland called MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Command). We were there to witness our younger son (just less than two months shy of 21-years-old) raise his right hand and repeat the oath of enlistment. (See the picture below, and check out the video in my previous post "Proud to be an American [Dad]"). Today he has already begun his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. His contract specifies that he will train for the USAF security forces.

While fighting to hold back the tears and trying desperately to swallow whatever was choking my throat, I could not help but think of these words of the Apostle Paul: "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1). If you are familiar with the text, you may recall that the Apostle Paul then uses in verses 3-6 three powerful word pictures to portray some crucial elements of the Christian life. He asks Timothy to consider the illustrations of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer.

It seems to me, first of all, that the point of the "soldier" figure of speech in verses 3-4 is that of ALLEGIANCE, which has been defined as "loyalty or devotion to some person, group or cause." The operative word here is LOYALTY. One dictionary lists the words treason and treachery as antonyms of allegiance. That being the case, I must say that during the half-century I have been a believer in Jesus, I have come across several fellow Christians who are guilty of treason. Some of them have betrayed the faith and their Lord. Others have betrayed their spouses and families. And, sadly to say, some have committed treachery in the local church. I'm not sure that there is any emotional pain greater than that which accompanies betrayal. (Our Lord certainly knew that agony). I have discovered that some people are "loyal" only when there is something in it for them. (As the saying goes, "with friends like that, who needs enemies?"). Indeed, how quickly they will turn on you and back-stab you if things don't go their way, or they no longer get what they want or what they think they deserve. James (the half-brother of our Lord) is good with a hammer. He hits the proverbial nail on the head when he writes, "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war" (James 4:1-2).

Secondly, I think that the point of the athlete figure of speech in 2 Timothy 2:5 is all about OBEDIENCE, or, as someone defined it, "dutiful or submissive compliance." For me, this is really an issue of INTEGRITY. It's not only about doing what I'm told to do, but it is also about doing what I said I would do. I've met a few young people in recent days who think they can fast track to success by cutting some corners, by going back on their word, by failing to keep their commitments. I think they are only kidding themselves. They love to sit in coffee shops with all of their blue-tooth wireless gear, forecasting how much money they will make and how quickly they can do it, even if it means sacrificing their own reputation and integrity. They are so short-sighted and earthly-minded. Again, it is James who speaks so poignantly to the issue in James 4:13-15, ending the paragraph with these words in verses 16-17, "But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin."

Finally, I think that the point of the farmer figure of speech in 2 Timothy 2:6 is all about DILIGENCE, defined as a "constant and earnest effort," and a "persistent exertion of body or mind." I call it TENACITY. It is the ability to keep on keeping on; a stick-to-it-tive-ness with a never-say-die attitude. It is what the Apostle Paul described when he said that "love (agape) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails . . ." (1 Corinthians 13:7-8a). It is common knowledge that the cheetah is perhaps the fastest land animal in the world. But what many people don't know is that he cannot run fast for very long. He has no "staying" power. The reason? He has a disproportionately small heart for his long, sleek body. He tires too quickly. As I have watched people give up and walk out, "throw in the towel" and/or go AWOL, I have observed that in many cases it is because they don't really love the Lord and His Church (that is, His Bride, His People, His Flock), along with the work He has called them to do. It is because they have disproportionately small "hearts."

Allegiance. Obedience. Diligence.

Loyalty. Integrity. Tenacity.

In the words of the officer presiding over TJ's swearing in - "Every day, every time. Every day, every time. Every day, every time." Allegiance, obedience, diligence; loyalty, integrity and tenacity - every day and every time!

Or, in the words to a song that TJ used to love to sing (and we loved to hear him sing) -

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength with all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

Those are the marks of a mature man and/or woman of God.

Now, where I have just taken you should be familiar territory to all of you who have believed in Jesus Christ for everlasting life. However, if you feel that through this blog I haved taken you somewhere you have never before been, then you would do well to heed the very last verse of the opening paragraph of 2 Timothy 2 (verse 7): "Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things."

It is time for you to "man" your (spiritual) battle station and fight the GOOD fight of the faith!