It is always amazing to me to see a picture of a fully armed military man or woman standing next to a little kid. A friend of mine was recently in Iraq and he would send us pictures. One picture was of him fully armed standing in the middle of a schoolroom of little kids. They were smiling and seemed to not be disturbed by the firepower he carried.
Whenever I hear of people talking about the military as ruthless people who kill, I cringe. The military men and women I know are kind, protecting, and giving. They desire the best for all people of all nations. When I see a picture of a little kid smiling and standing next to an armed military man or woman, I can’t help but think that this kids knows this soldiers heart. The kind actions of this soldier have revealed to this little kid that Americans are kind and helpful.
One thing every soldier realizes is that their words and actions reflect to the world around them the heart of their military and nation. They are ambassadors.
What breaks my heart more is when I hear people talk about God as unfair, mean, distant, or uncaring. How they come to these conclusions are usually stories about how they are treated by the church or other Christians. Our words and actions as Christians reflect who God is to the world around us.
Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35
Loving others is not a new thing in the Bible, but the way it has been revealed to us is new. Jesus said to love others “as I have loved you.” The way He loved His disciples is now the new standard of love. And the world will know that you follow Jesus because of the way that you love one another. Our love to others reflects Christ love to the world. How people know Christ will be a result of your love for one another.
Soldiers are on display. They wear a uniform that says they represent the military and their words and actions reflect to people around them what the military is like.
Christians may not wear a uniform, but the way that they love one another will reflect to the world around them how much Christ has loved us. Their love points to God.
