Ministers Blogs
“Where Do You Get Your Marching Orders?”
Categories: Christian PrinciplesBy: J. Raymond Pecoraro
The book entitled "The Caine Mutiny" written by Herman Wouk is a novel about World War II. In his book, we read about an excellent illustration of what happens when someone becomes a follower of Christ.
This book tells about a young man from a very influential family who decided he wanted to enlist in the military, particularly the United States Navy. The day this young man was to report for military duty, his mother drove him in their fancy family automobile. His good mother kisses her beloved son goodbye knowing she wouldn't see him for quite some time. The young son shakes hands with the military guard and enters the secured building closing the door behind him.
The young man's mother suddenly worried that her son didn't have enough money so she rushes back to the door of the building. But the guard politely stops the mother from entering the building where her son stood. When she demands entrance, the guard refuses to allow her in. She could see her son standing on the inside the door, so she reaches for the doorknob. "He's my son!" she cries. The guard gently removed her hand from the knob and said softly, "I know, Ma'am, but he belongs to Uncle Sam now. He's a sailor."
Of course, the Bible gives us the best illustrations of what it means to be a follower of Christ. When we submit our will to the Will of the Lord, blessings begin to flow on into eternity. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." The followers of Christ get their marching orders directly from God.
When we believe in Him and become obedient to the gospel we become His followers! We are now under a new authority. (Matthew 28:18-20). We are subject to new commands because we belong to Him. What was once important to us no longer matters and loses its significance. We look at things in life differently. Our new desire is to love the One who first loved us. Our new desire is to serve the Master with every fiber of our being.
