Christian Soldier’s Values
I have found many correlations between being a soldier and being a Christian that promote serving a higher purpose through leadership.
Loyalty
Bear faith and allegiance to the Holy Spirit, scripture, the Body of Christ and to other “soldiers.” Bearing your faith and allegiance is believing in and devoting yourself to God’s will. A loyal soldier is one who supports both godly and governmental leadership and stands up for his or her “Battle Buddies.” We wear the Armor of God. Through this armor, we express our loyalty to Jesus. We have a responsibility to serve. This is how we show our loyalty to God and the Body of Christ.
Duty
Obediently complete all of your obligations—any task with your team, leaders and others you are responsible for. The will of God is to carry out his mission: to serve others by training, equipping and encouraging one another through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Bible and reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel. You must fulfill all your duties by having consistent communication with Jesus and reading his word, because he is the one who gives us our orders every day.
Respect
First we have a holy fear and reverence to God and to his word. Secondly, we practice the golden rule that says, “Do unto others what you would have them do to you” in Matthew 7:12. This involves us treating others with dignity and the fruits of the Spirit. Thirdly, respect is showing our appreciation for our authorities and the jobs they perform. It is trusting that everyone else is doing their jobs and fulfilling their duties. It also means treating yourself with value. We have a responsibility to practice humility and respect with others.
Selfless Service
Selfless Service is putting the needs of your family, local community, Body of Christ and your “Battle Buddies” before your own needs. Selfless service means doing your duty loyally without thinking of only yourself. The basics of selfless service involve a lot of commitment from one to go a little further, endure a little longer and look a little closer to see how he or she can contribute to the effort as a team. We take initiative in the absence of orders, and when we see something or somebody that needs help, we do what is needed!
Honor
Honor consists of all of us living out biblical principles. The highest award is the joy of knowing we will someday live with Jesus Christ. That award goes to the “soldiers” who make honor a matter of daily living—soldiers who develop the discipline of faithfully listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit, making sound decisions based on the Word of God. Honor is a matter of carrying out and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything you do. Jesus Christ expects us to show him honor by loving others.
Integrity
Integrity means doing what is right—both legally and morally. Integrity is a quality you develop by adhering to biblical and moral principles. It requires that you do and say nothing that deceives others. Integrity allows others to trust you. The choices we make that are based on integrity will affect all our relationships. The Bible has a lot of wisdom to say about honesty, character and the consciences we should have. It references being sober-minded, pure, righteous, just, faithful and godly.
Personal Courage
Face fear, danger and adversity. Personal courage has long been associated with the Word of God. Personal courage is a matter of enduring stress, trials and, at times, personal comfort. Facing fear or adversity involves standing up for what is right, even when it means taking those actions is not always popular with others. Jesus often told others not to be afraid. He also said to take heart (have courage) because he has overcome the world and Satan!
Jesus set the example of what it means to serve by sacrificing his life. Soldiers place their missions first. As Christians, our mission is to further God’s kingdom, and it is important to incorporate the characteristics listed above into our own lives.
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2: 3&4