3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses...And, after listing some of the struggles he faced, he wrote: 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also. Here, Paul talks about opening wide our hearts and not withholding affection, even to those who do not treat us kindly. And, that is our posture as a Christian, even when we encounter people who are hostile to our message or to us personally - we have to believe that the love of God will win the day. The radiant display of the nature of Christ in us, the hope of glory, can overcome a great deal of animosity or tension that we encounter.1st Peter chapter 4 gives us a glimpse into the potential that our expression of the love of Christ can have.(7b) Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
It's been a troubling week concerning the treatment of people of faith in some sectors of our military, and people are beginning to question the religious freedom of our men and women in the Armed Forces. The story concerning an Army training presentation concerning negative references to faith groups such as evangelical Christians and Catholics has continued to grow legs, and now we have the report by Todd Starnes of Fox News about an e-mail that a high-ranking Army official sent to some of his subordinates that identifies groups such as the Family Research Council and American Family Association as groups that “that do not share our Army Values...When we see behaviors that are inconsistent with Army Values – don’t just walk by – do the right thing and address the concern before it becomes a problem.”
Tony Perkins, President of FRC, is quoted as saying:
“It’s very disturbing to see where the Obama Administration is taking the military and using it as a laboratory for social experimentation — and also as an instrument to fundamentally change the culture...The message is very clear – if you are a Christian who believes in the Bible, who believes in transcendent truth, there is no place for you in the military.”
The Army denied there is any attack on Christians or those who hold religious beliefs.
“The notion that the Army is taking an anti-religion or anti-Christian stance is contrary to any of our policies, doctrines and regulations,” said George Wright, Army spokesman at the Pentagon. “Any belief that the Army is out to label religious groups in a negative manner is without warrant.”
Ron Crews, executive director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, said that, "We’re concerned that this is more than an isolated incident...We’d like answers. Is there a policy in the military concerning people of faith?”
Dr. David Jeremiah of Turning Point, whose church, Shadow Mountain Community Church, ministers to a number of military families, was quite direct: “There are so many good and godly people in the military who would be appalled to think that their leaders would be saying things like this...The attempt on the part of the social engineers of our day to secularize our culture is in full swing. Everything they can do to remove God, the Bible and morality from the marketplace is being done – not subtly but overtly.”
And, this story broke during the same week when the President honored a military chaplain, who demonstrated the true role of people of faith within the armed forces, bestowing the Medal of Honor posthumously to former Army Chaplain Emil Kapaun, a Korean War officer who is better remembered for his humility and kindness in prison camps than for his role in combat. According to the Los Angeles Times, the President noted that “Father Kapaun has been called a shepherd in combat boots.”
Kapaun died in a North Korean prison camp 62 years ago. A handful of Korean War veterans who had championed Kapaun for the medal for some six decades attended the ceremony.
Obama awarded Kapaun the medal for his acts during a battle with Chinese forces in Unsan, North Korea, in November 1950. A Navy Lt. Commander and military aide to the President read the account:
“When Chinese communist forces viciously attacked friendly elements, Chaplain Kapaun calmly walked through withering enemy fire in order to provide comfort and medical aid to his comrades."
Kapaun also negotiated with a wounded Chinese commander to save the lives of a group of trapped U.S. soldiers, who became prisoners. And he pushed aside a Chinese soldier who was about to shoot an American, according to the citation.
Many of the veterans who served with Kapaun have said he saved more lives in the prison camps than in that day’s battle, stealing food and firewood for them in sub-zero temperatures.
Obama called Kapaun “an American soldier who didn’t fire a gun, but who wielded the mightiest weapon of all: a love for his brothers so pure that he was willing to die so that they might live.”
I appreciate the work of our military chaplains, who are called to be visible reminders of the Holy. And, there are many Christians who serve in our Armed Forces that rise each day to meet the challenges of displaying Christian character in their service to their country - it's very, very admirable. That's really a challenge for all of us - to live the Christian life, to be a visible reminder of the Holy - the Holy One, our Lord Jesus Christ, even though there will be those who will mischaracterize us or misunderstand our motives, those that would want to silence us or ridicule us for our devotion to Christ. But, the power of compassion, the character of Christ, and the spiritual resources that we have can sustain us in the tough times and perhaps even win over those who would stand against us.
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