"We use words like Honor, Code, Loyalty..."

   

 In the movie, "A Few Good Men", starring Demi Moore,Tom Cruise, Kevin Bacon, Keifer Sutherland, and my all-time favorite, Jack Nicholson, Nicholson plays the part of a Colonel Nathan Jessep.
 The character Col. Jessep is a rather egotistical man and is brought to trial over the death of a young marine named William Santiago at the famous Guantanamo Bay, where Jessep resides. Col. Jessep had ordered a "Code Red" on Santiago which led to his death, although Jessep did not realize the possible outcome from the "Code Red".
 In one part of the trial, Col. Jessep is defending what he feels is his duty as the lead officer at Guantanamo Bay, and because of his "leadership" the United States can "go to bed each night in safety, in security, and in peace." Tom Cruise, the prosecuting attorney, has found a way to get Col. Jessep "fired up" that will lead to his confession of the "Code Red". 
 In one of the dialogues of Jessep, he declares: "....We use words like HONOR, CODE, and LOYALTY...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline..."

HONOR...CODE...LOYALTY     3 Big and Powerful Words!


 As a Christian, I think one of the worst things we do in life is... defend God. God doesn't need to be defended...He is more than capable of taking care of Himself.
 Now, that doesn't mean we don't "make a stand" and confirm what this loving Father does for us in our everyday lives...but defend Him...I don't think so.
 In "A Few Good Men, that actually was the "Achilles heel" that brought down Jessep...defending his actions for what he thought he was in life...fueled by his own ego and arrogance. 

 I have seen Christians get "fired up", get all "bent out of shape" because of resistance to a particular cause they believe in, or they go on "aimlessly" justifying some incident that occurred in their life or the lives of those around them.
 Yet, after time passes, and you look back....it was just an event that "got a little out of control", eventually blew-over, and everyone went on their "merry way"...with nothing really coming from it. (There are always exceptions to things in everything in life, I realize that...but for the most part.)

 Defend the Gospel of Christ Jesus...is that what we are suppose to do? After all, coming to Christ involves HONOR...CODE...LOYALTY...something we spend our entire lives defending...while those who do not honor Him use Him as a punchline!
 Hmmm....is it possible to be egotistical and arrogant...in causes that are outright helpful to others?!!

 Here is a thought I have: I think Jesus was fully aware there were things going on during His life while He was here...among us. He had to know spousal abuse, child abuse, and even abortions were going on while He shared His message.
 Yet, I also think in order to be most efficient in getting atrocities like this corrected involved a changing of men and women's  hearts...and that was "Priority 1" for Christ Jesus.

HONOR, CODE, and LOYALTY as portrayed in "A Few Good Men" were stipulates used on how we are to treat and respect one another.
For example, In Psalm 82:3-4 it says: " Defend the weak and the Fatherless, uphold or stand up for the rights of the poor and the destitute. Rescue the poor and the helpless...from the powerful hand of a very heartless people."
 Yet in Philippians 2:3 it gives instructions on motives stating: " Do nothing from selfishness, strife, or out of some sort of self-pride. Remain humble and put your focus on God's ongoing direction and His leading, being sensitive to the thoughts of others and their motives as well."
 And, in Proverbs 25:21 it goes as far as to say: "If your enemy hungers, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Your generosity will surprise them...and have meaning to what you are doing...and God will keep His loving eyes...on you!"

 I do think we as Christians are called to help others in all sorts of plights and horrific conditions. Many have given their very lives so that we can enjoy the very freedoms we have today.
 And yet, like "Col. Nathan Jessep", if we forget or get wrapped up in ourselves or the cause without God's help in doing so, we can endanger the whole work and effort in support of what a certain cause may be up against.
 The Message of Christ remains the same: First, when a person receives Christ Jesus into their hearts and lives, their whole outlook on life will have a whole and different meaning. ( Give it some time)
 Then, the efforts we give toward helping others is built on Him...not on ourselves...or simply a cause.
                 I think God blesses stuff like that...when our hearts are in the right place...