By Steve Huston
On Memorial Day, we honor American soldiers who gave their lives for the preservation of this country and what it stands for. More honestly, I sadly admit, "what it stood for."
I could see the changing trends decades ago. As my family went through several museums, particularly as we would come to the sections which focused on various wars (Vietnam, WWI, WWII, Civil War, War for Independence), I remember telling my children and their friends that these men fought against communism; they willingly laid down their lives for freedom – ours and others. I wondered aloud, "What would they think of their sacrifice, seeing that America is now embracing that which they fought against? Would those we honor today still think it was worth leaving their families, enduring hardships, and creating hardships on their own families as they would be forevermore absent?" Many of these men were of such high caliber that the answer would be yes, for their sacrifice slowed down that which is overtaking us today. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance and they willingly paid the price.
As communism has pressed in – infiltrating our nation – republicanism, capitalism, common sense, true science, a willingness to discuss things rather than shouting down one's opponent, a love for our nation and its history (both good and bad), a respect for our founders and for others who have come before us, a respect for and adhering to our Constitution and lawfulness in general, righteous ruling, and respect for oneself and others is being pressed out – this is not an exhaustive list. Regardless of these overwhelming losses, there are still pockets of good people who adhere to the above and to helping their fellowman found all throughout our country; the "milk of human kindness," only by God's grace, has not completely dried up. What a conundrum, to have such a wide, and widening, chasm of ideals not seen since the Civil War days. Embracing division rather than the much-needed unity.
Even as our nation ever so slowly has been deceived into giving up that which we once held as precious and knew was for our own good, so the church has, inch by inch, been tricked into giving up the holy standards and Truth which must be held dear: the Word of God as a standard, unity in Christ, transformed lives of holiness, teaching the difference between the holy and the profane, biblical morality, guarding the precious treasure of God's Word within the church, the fear of God and keeping His name as holy, and a host of other things which are sacred and describe godliness and righteousness have been slowly pushed back and out, relegated to "traditional, outdated thinking" which must be confined to the four-walls of a church. Even within many church denominations where good people gather to worship, few have had the courage to stand against the onslaught of Truth – sometimes from fear and other times in a hope to remain relevant. Yet, relevancy requires that we do not water down the Truth and that we stand up for Jesus, regardless the cost.
Within the church "worship wars" were being fought, serving only to distract us from the culture wars which were raging outside. The devil is good at taking our focus off the important for the lesser things. And now, finally, our nation, for the first time in its 250-year history, stands against Christianity, particularly its most orthodox forms. Things seemed dark for believers during the Obama administration, darker yet now with Biden, and, barring a move by the hand of God, we can anticipate a coming midnight. What's a true believer to do?
John Daniel Davidson, in Pagan America, gives us an answer which is reminiscent to what those in the early church had to endure: "The primary task of American Christians in the generations to come will therefore be the preservation and propagation of the faith at all costs. And the costs will be high. Yes, that will require being prepared to be poorer and more marginalized, but it will also require being prepared to be arrested, imprisoned, and martyred."
Would those soldiers from years ago, who we honor today, even be able to imagine such happenings taking place in our beloved America? Yet, the Apostle Peter tells us that has always been the lot of the Christian: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." I Pet. 4:12-14
Hebrews chapter eleven sets before us a memorial list of men and women who were faithful soldiers of the cross. Some are well known to us, others remain nameless, yet all were faithful to our Lord and our God, willing to be faithful unto death.
What would such soldiering look like today? The Federalist writer Casey Chalk, in writing about Pagan America, gives us Davidson's view on that:
"Take back local institutions such as city councils, public libraries, and school boards. Christians, he urges, should be banning drag performances and pornographic and pro-trans books from local libraries and schools, and applying economic pressure by 'refusing to patronize businesses and brands that embrace pagan morality.'"
Today, as you honor those soldiers who fought and died for our freedom, I urge you to consider: 1. Jesus gave His all for us and calls us to live "all in" for Him. 2. Have I been a true soldier of the cross? And 3. How will I "soldier" from here out?
For over three hundred years, Isaac Watts has encouraged men and women to stand boldly, courageously for Jesus and His way of the cross. Watts calls us to be faithful soldiers regardless the cost through his hymn Am I a Soldier of the Cross.
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follow'r of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flow'ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord;
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith's discerning eye.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of vict'ry through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.
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