Many years ago, Edward, a rowdy, willful young Englishman joined the Army. But the strict discipline of military life didn’t change his disobedient ways, and before long he had amassed a long list of “misconduct” demerits. Finally, he was told that if he appeared in military court again, he would be court-martialed. This sobered the wild, young man, and during that time, God in sovereign mercy caused the young rebel to hear and believe the gospel.
Several years later, he was sent to serve in a foreign outpost. The nights were bitterly cold on the mountain where he was stationed. Since there was no indoor place to hold prayer and Bible readings with other Christian soldiers, Edward was selected to go to the commanding officer and request the use of a barracks classroom one evening a week. But that officer—a highly disciplined and respected military leader—was violently opposed to religion.
The Colonel was curt and the meeting short. He summarily refused Edward’s request. Then, just as he was about to dismiss Edward, the Colonel snapped challengingly, “Soldier, what has your religion ever done for you?”
Without hesitation, Edward replied, “Sir, will you please look at my misconduct record? It will speak better than my words.”
An orderly was summoned and quickly produced the record. Mentioning a specific date he said, “Sir, please look at the entries made before that date and the entries made after it.” A long list of offences and insubordinations were listed before the date—one of the worst records the Colonel had ever seen. After the date, however, there was not one single entry found.
“How did this change come to pass?” enquired the puzzled Colonel.
“That date is the day I was saved, sir.”
The Colonel again studied the record. Then, looking at the young soldier, he said, “You shall have a classroom for two nights each week!”
“Thank you, sir. We will provide oil for the lamps.”
“No you won’t” was the terse reply. “The oil will be charged on the canteen funds.”
Later, the Colonel further agreed to allow the room to be used for a Sunday evening gospel service. Then, after many more soldiers were saved, he allowed them to build—at their own labor and expense—a room that was always to be kept open.
What a blessing a believer who lives what he believes is to others! Living a blameless and harmless life lays the necessary foundation to effective preaching (“holding forth”) of the Word of life.
Let’s not forget that true Christianity always works—first being demonstrated in our lives, and then by preaching, while the Holy Spirit is the One who brings eternal blessing to souls (1 Cor. 6:1111And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)).
“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life” (Phil. 2:15-1615That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. (Philippians 2:15‑16)).
Ed.