“A person who has had long experiences in a particular field.” That is the dictionary’s description of a veteran.
As I write this on Veteran’s Day, I am thinking about one of my grandchildren and his response to anyone he sees that he can identify as a veteran. He goes up to the person, shakes their hand, and says, “Thank you for your service.”
It began several years ago when his 5th grade class spent a week with an army training officer. The officer came to his school and put his class through training exercises which ended in a weekend retreat. There was a lot of physical exercise, team building, and general hard work.
As part of this program, the school invited all veterans of all wars to a dinner where the children were recognized for their hard work. Pictures of the children’s relatives that served in the military were put into a video and shown at the dinner. The veterans were then honored and presented with gifts.
What a night! It brings me to tears when I think about it.
My granddaughter had the same experience when she was in 5th grade. Seeing this sweet little girl dressed in military attire was scary. She was just as serious about the whole week-long experience as my grandson.
The wonderful men and women who have served and are serving our country deserve our honor, respect, and devotion. Without them, where would we be?
One of the greatest complaints for many Americans is toward our government. We are unhappy when they raise our taxes. We are unhappy when they put laws into place we don’t like. What we, as Christians, especially don’t like is when government takes away our freedom to do certain things. After all, that is what those veterans fought for.
We are no different than the Jews in the days of Jesus and afterward. They hated Roman rule. They didn’t want to pay taxes. They instigated insurrections like the one in Acts 5.
Peter and John were the first recorded to defy the ruling Sanhedrin in Acts 4. The apostles had been told not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. This was their answer. “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20 ESV). They defied the law only because it violated God’s law.
The apostle Paul later gives some direction on the matter of the Christian’s response to civil authority. His purpose was not to distinguish between laws that violated God’s commandments and those that did not. His purpose was to teach about their duties as Christians to those in government.
Peter does the same thing in his writings. Both men were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write on a topic that would require guidance as the government opposed the Christian faith. Let’s look at two of these passages.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement” (Romans 13:1-2).
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (First Peter 2:12-18).
The principles of Roman law were just. That is why Paul appealed to Caesar to be tried. He said, “If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar” (Acts 25:11).
That appeal put him in a position to teach the gospel to Felix and Agrippa. Agrippa told Paul that he had almost persuaded him to be a Christian. At least Agrippa had the opportunity to hear the gospel.
Even Jesus submitted Himself to the government. The Pharisees tried to trick Him by asking if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus’ answer was quick and simple. “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:22).
I am grateful to all of those veterans we honored this week. I am grateful we live in a country that provides us with many freedoms. I am sad that the rulers of our nation don’t put God and His kingdom first. I wish they were all God-fearing men and women that loved the Lord and His church.
In spite of their beliefs and their decisions, Paul tells me what I must do. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (First Timothy 2:1-4).
We need to pray for our leaders. We need to respect the positions they hold. Who knows but what these circumstances have come about “for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:15).
Sandra Oliver