CHARACTER COUNTS, it’s the one thing we’ll take into eternity.
The Bible has much to say about soldiers, some good and some not so good. Balance is important. We have a tendency to think the worst of those we dislike and the best of those we do like, but God sees us as we really are.
Soldiers in general would have been feared and hated as occupiers, imposing foreign rule in the land of Israel. Sometimes God allows things for His own purposes, for example the Roman occupation of Judea brought their roads and trade across the Mediterranean area. In doing so they also provided a new way for the spread of the Gospel to many more people.
5 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. 2 Kings 5
The Bible refers to Naaman as, ‘a great man, highly regarded and a valiant soldier’. These things were commendable and they are recorded and acknowledged in the God’s Word. God saw the good in Naaman, even though he was later humbled when he came to Elisha.
4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, ‘This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.’ 6 So Jesus went with them. Luke 7
The unnamed centurion in Capernaum with the sick servant, sent the Jewish elders to go and ask Jesus for help. While they were talking to Jesus, they told him ‘this man loves our nation and has built our synagogue’. They argued on the basis of his character – CHARACTER COUNTS.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, ‘And what should we do?’
He replied, ‘Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely – be content with your pay.’ Luke 3
John the Baptist spoke to the soldiers, obviously aware of how they dealt with the people. He told them what they should do to get right before God. He didn’t ignore them nor rebuke them but told them what God required of their particular group. Maybe that didn’t sit well with those Jews around him.
10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. Acts 10
Cornelius the Roman centurion was visited by God’s angel, but firstly his good character was outlined. He and his family were God-fearing, (there are really only two types of people, Godly and Godless). He gave generously and prayed regularly and they became the first gentile believers in the new Church, what a privilege and a blessing for all of us who followed them.
Good Character is built by patience and constantly living our lives to honour God. There are no shortcuts, but in the end our Character will reward us.
God bless and keep you today.