WORDS THE MILITARY HOLDS DEAR

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In every occupation, there are words that are held dear, that is, are cherished by those in that occupation.

 

B.      As a preacher words such as “sound,” “truth,” “faithful,” and “bold” mean a lot.

 

C.     The same is true of the military.  There are certain words that have been elevated and are cherished by those in the armed forces.

 

D.    In the movie, “A Few Good Men,” Colonel Nathan R. Jessup testifies on his own behalf regarding the death of a soldier who was killed on his base.  He emphasizes the importance of words to men who are Marines. 

1.      The quote:

 

“You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall - - you need me on that wall. 

 

“We use words like ‘honor,’ ‘code,’ ‘loyalty.”  We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something.  You use them as a punch line.”

 

2.      Notice he mentioned three words:  “honor,” “code,” and “loyalty.”

 

E.      In this lesson, we want to examine the subject:  “Words the Military Holds Dear.”

 

I.                   CODE

 

A.    Let’s begin with the word “code.” 

 

B.      It is defined as:  “a conventionalized set of principles, rules, and expectations.”

 

C.     When you pull up “Code of Military Conduct” on the web, here are a few things that are said about it.

1.      The Code of Conduct applies to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces, at all times.

2.      There are six (6) articles in the Code of Conduct.

3.      The Code of Conduct was established 17 August, 1955 by President Eisenhower.

4.      The Code of Conduct was amended in 1988.

5.      The legal authority supporting the Code of Conduct is The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

 

D.    First and Last Codes:

1.      First:  “I am an American fighting in the forces that guard my country and our way of life.  I am prepared to give my life in their defense.”

2.      Last:  “I will never forget that I am an American fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free.  I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.”

 

E.      Citizens of the United States may have heard about a code in the military, but they may have never read it.  Too, some would never agree to the Code if they were asked to pledge their loyalty to it.  Not so for a soldier.  He agrees to abide by “The Code” every day he/she is in the military.

 

II.                HONOR

 

A.    Honor can be simply defined as doing what is right at all times, even when no one is looking.

 

B.      Integrity, ethics, honesty, and taking responsibility are all involved in this thing called honor.

 

C.     The Navy begins its definition of honor with these words:  “I am accountable for my professional and personal behavior.”

 

D.    Honor recognizes that there is a right way for a military man or woman to live.  There is a commitment deep within the soldier to conduct himself with “soundness of moral character” at all times.

 

III.             COURAGE

 

A.    We have looked at the definition of courage in other lessons we have presented.  The simple definition is “having heart.”

 

B.      The military defines courage as “the moral and mental strength to do what is right.” 

 

C.     Courage is the ability to do something even though it frightens or scares a person.

 

D.    Courage is putting yourself in danger in order to defend those around you, sometimes at a high personal cost.

 

IV.             RESPECT

 

A.    Respect has to do with valuing another individual.  In other words, to respect another is to show that individual that he/she has worth.

 

B.      Respect is shown in several ways in the military.

1.      Saluting another of higher rank.

2.      Obeying the commands of one’s commander.

3.      Refusing to belittle and harm others.

4.      Taking a stand for those who cannot stand for themselves.

5.      Watching one’s attitude, words, and behavior at all times.

 

C.     If there is no respect, then the code means absolutely nothing.

 

V.                DISCIPLINE

 

A.    When we think of disciple, we usually think of punishment.

 

B.      In the military, discipline involves several things.

1.      Drills:  exercises that teach one to follow the rules

2.      Training:  activities that improve one’s knowledge, physical powers, self-control, and skills in battle

3.      Punishment:  correction and chastisement when teaching and training is not adhered to

 

VI.             SPIRITUAL APPLICATION

 

A.    We have many in the congregation who served in the military.  They know what the words mentioned above mean.  They appreciate them.

 

B.      As Christians, we should come to appreciate those same words when we look at them through a spiritual lens.

1.      Every Christian is a soldier (II Tim. 2:3).

 

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

 

2.      As soldiers, we are engaged in a war (I Tim. 1:18).

3.      Paul exhorts all of us to “fight the good fight of faith” (I Tim. 6:12).

 

C.     The words that we mentioned above should mean something to us when applied to the Lord’s army.

1.      We are an army with a code.

a.      Paul praised the Corinthians for two things in I Corinthians 11:2.  “…that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.”

b.      Paul told the Philippians to let their conversation, that is, their manner of life be as it “becometh the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).

c.       Paul exhorted servants to show all good fidelity and to “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things (Tit. 2:10).

2.      Each Christian should act with honor, that is, always doing the right thing.

a.      A word in the Old Testament that stresses honor is integrity (Job 31:6).

 

Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity…

 

b.      A word in the New Testament that indicates honor is blameless (I Thess. 5:23).

 

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

3.      We must demonstrate courage as we fight.

a.      In Matthew 10, Jesus told His disciples to beware of men.

1)      They will deliver you up to the councils and scourge you (v. 17)

2)      Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake (v. 18)

3)      Families would turn on family members (v. 21)

4)      They would be hated of all men (v. 22)

5)      They would be persecuted in the cities (v. 23)

b.      Then in verse 28, they are exhorted to manifest courage.

 

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:  but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

 

4.      Respect is vital to our success (I Pet. 2:17).

 

Honour all men.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God.  Honour the king.

 

a.      Honour all men.

b.      Fear God.

c.       Honour the king.

5.      Each Christian must discipline himself to be a good soldier (I Cor. 9:25, 27).

 

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible…But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:  lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Another word that is important to our military is “love.”  Soldiers serve their country because of the deep love they have for it. 

1.      They love her freedom.

2.      They love her founders.

3.      They love her founding documents.

4.      They love her principles.

5.      They love those who have gone before.

6.      They love every citizen of this great nation.

 

B.      Love is also an important part of the vocabulary of the Christian soldier.

1.      Because of what God has done for us, we love Him (I John 4:19).

 

We love him, because he first loved us.

 

2.      We love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).

 

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:  this is the first commandment.

 

3.      This love is manifest in our deep determination to obey Him in all things (I John 5:3).

 

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments:  and his commandments are not grievous.