God has a plan for everyone, for every single person in the world. There exists a plan for everyone. God never gives us more than we can handle, and yet that is hard to believe at times. Especially when you see that Christians are being murdered in the name of their faith. It is especially difficult to see this when the media is not even calling these heroes what they really are: martyrs.
Being a Christian in the military is probably one of the hardest things that anyone can do. The military, especially combat arms, is not a place that one would think teaches love and compassion. Instead it teaches self-preservation and comradery that is not easily broken. However, it is my contention that they are one and the same.
We are all called to be something. Some doctors or writers, others mechanics or wait staff. Some of us were even called to be combat soldiers. There are quite a few religions that look upon war as defiance against God’s will. However, as we can see:
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time tobreak down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to mend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Being that war is part of the seasons of change, we can see that some of us are called to be soldiers; furthermore we can see that God called soldiers in the past to decimate a whole nation in 1 Samuel 15. In order to go to war, a nation needs to have soldiers; therefore, a need for a standing army. God tells us in Proverbs 20:18: “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” As shown we, as a nation and as a people, still need a standing army to go to war. Continuing on in the readings we see that following through the words of Paul in his letter to the Romans:
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for He beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Romans 13:1-4
Often society thinks being a Christian and a Veteran negate each other. How can a person take a life or cause such destruction of those things He created? How can something so “good” be destroyed by members of society? If the belief is that God created everything, then didn’t He also create war? The answer is no, but God responded to it, Satan waged war against God and sent His Son Jesus to crush sin.
God created people to be members of society and hold different useful roles within society, which includes the necessity of war, therefore the necessity for combat soldiers. Combat, in itself, is a spiritual battle. Especially Christian Veterans that experienced combat in the cradle of civilization, the Middle East (Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Afghanistan, etcetera…); can feel the demonic powers that are there. A struggle of power between Angels and demons can not only be spiritually present but felt physically as well.
Coming home from combat can, and often is, an extremely difficult transition for a soldier as previously stated in Veteran Struggles Part 3. It can be especially difficult for a soldier that has a strong Christian faith and knows his core values, but second guesses the task he was called to do was the right thing for him to do. On top of that, society tries to convince him that what he did was wrong. Yet, we know, from the Bible that God put a government in place to organize and protect society, therefore it is our duty to submit to lawfulgovernments to protect our national interests; especially, if those interests are in the name of Christianity or saving the majority of people from mass elimination. At times in order to protect our national interests or people, war and combat are necessary and right.
Jesus came to save us from ourselves – from our sins. Jesus waged war, became a soldier for us, engaged in battle against Satan, and death happened. Torture and ridicule happened. Jesus took our sins and put that amazingly heavy weight on His shoulders so that we may experience eternal life with Him in Heaven. We are called to be like Jesus and fight for Truth and Light and crush the skulls of Satan and his demons, even if that has a physical aspect.
Christian combat soldiers struggle with this question: “Did I sin because I was in combat?” The answer is a resounding no! Soldiers were called to do their duty, to be a soldier, to do the calling of God and country. There have been unjust wars in the past, but none that America has been a part of. Soldiers are called to be soldiers of our great country to protect unjustness, to protect people against being eradicated by genocide, and to protect against the spread of radical tyranny.
It is important for Veterans to remember that being a Christian is fantastic; it is what the Lord called them to do. We must remember that Jesus loves everyone (but hates sin), regardless of their beliefs. Combat Veterans are the backbone of the United States. Combat Veterans must always keep their walls built tall and strong to help combat demonic tolerances.
“And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14
Kenny graduated from Indiana University South Bend in 2012 with a Bachelors in General Studies with three major concentrations: English, Political Science, and Electronic Media. Kenny has an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.
Kenny spent twelve years in the United States Army, Active and National Guard. He was an Infantryman, Airborne qualified and a combat life saver (a medical class). He spent some time overseas in Baghdad, Iraq. Came home and quickly got back to doing what he loves.
Kenny loves to help people. All he wants to do is help people with whatever they need help with; especially Veterans. He is the CEO of FreedomSystem.org a Veteran non-profit organization. Where he donates a lot of his time; the rest of his time he works as an independent graphic artist, designer, and writer.
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