“Forward March”
"Platoon, Attention; Right Face; "Forward March," I remember those words well from my R.O.T.C. (reserve officer training course) days back during my college years. And once the command was given we moved out as a unit to wherever our commander led us. And once we finished our ROTC commitment we received our commissions as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army.
Matthew 28:18-20 is often referred to as the "Great Commission", Jesus' last words to his disciples following his resurrection states, "Then Jesus came to them and said 'All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age".
To me that sounds like a command, much like the ones we were given in my ROTC days. The word "Go" begins an imperative sentence. For those who recall their grammar lessons in school, an imperative is a "direct command". To every believer this command is not an option. Jesus is counting on us, his church, to share the Gospel message to those outside our doors. When was the last time you made the effort to lead someone to Christ? Like our military in the past, God's people are at war. Satan is constantly on the attack. Christians both here and abroad are under persecution. I Peter 5:8 tells us "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to destroy."
And just like in the army we need to be prepared to defend ourselves. In ROTC we trained with all the weapons we would need to fight the enemy. I became an expert with the 45-caliber pistol, a marksman with the M-16, and an expert with the hand grenade. In our Christian lives we must train for battle through scripture reading, prayer, and fellowship with our soldiers to prepare for battle. Read Ephesians 6:13-18, to refresh yourselves on the "full armor of God" that is essential for each of us to prepare to fight.
March is the first month of spring, a time of the year when we begin making preparations in order to be ready for the coming season, things like sharpening the blades and changing the oil for the lawnmower, as well as raking up the twigs and leaves left in the grass during the winter. So... Get ready! "Attention, Right Face, Forward March!" Jesus our commander is out in front of us leading the fight! And no matter how hard the struggle we can remind ourselves that "he is with us always, even to the end of the age." Accept your commission, recruit others for the fight, and become an officer in Jesus' army. Remember the words to the old hymn, "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross; Lift high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From vict'ry unto vict'ry his army shall he lead; Till every foe is vanquished, And Christ is Lord indeed."
Ray
