1 John 3:18-19
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.”
Yesterday I conducted a committal service for a decorated navy veteran. The service was at a National Cemetery a little over an hour from our home. I asked my dear wife to ride with me and keep me company.
It was a lovely day and when we arrived at the shelter where the ceremony was to take place, I was directed to park at just the right location for Joyce to observe the service from the car.
The military members marched forward carrying the folded flag. The rifle detail fired three salvos, the flag was unfurled and as the military members saluted, a bugler played out the somber notes of the taps.
It was inspiring to have four military personnel standing at parade rest while I recited Scripture and made spiritual application about the reality of eternity. The military concluded their portion of the service by presenting the flag to the widow, and then marched behind a wall.
As Joyce and I drove away, she reflected on what she had seen from her vantage point. The military detail had been so polished and regimented during the ceremony, but after they went behind the wall, a change took place. She watched as the stiff formality dissolved into casual laughter and gestures of relief.
Before we say anything about these brave, young service personnel, let us stop and consider our spiritual behavior. How many times have we put on a facade of piousness that was not exactly true? If we face ourselves in God’s mirror of truth—the Bible—what would we see?
If ever there were a time for authentic Christianity, it is now! We need men and women who will quit putting on a spiritual show and begin living as authentic believers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are people looking at the way we live—not just when we are in church, but every single day of the week. There are no time outs when it comes to serving Jesus. We should be the same “behind the wall” as we are when we’re called upon to minister. On stage or off stage—we need to be real soldiers of the cross! As the title of this Daily-E-Votional asks; “WHO ARE YOU?”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil