No Man Left Behind
by Bro. Shaun Ogdie
10/08/2023
Galatians 6:2 – “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
During my four-year stint as a United States Marine, a physical fitness test was required of all Marines every quarter. Every Marine was required to do at least 3 pull-ups, 100 crunches, and run 3 miles in under 27 minutes. I was always able to knock out the 100 crunches in no time and I was usually able to do about 5 pull-ups. The run was where I really surprised myself.
The best runners in the Marine Corps could run 3 miles in under 15 minutes. I was never light on my feet; however, I could run the 3 miles in under 21 minutes. My best 3-mile run was under 20 minutes.
Now the part that I never liked about running that 3-mile run in under 21 minutes is that when I would finish, instead of getting to sit down and rest, my Sergeant would always make us head back down that 3-mile run course and “encourage” the others to finish.
How was this fair? I did my part. I finished my test on time like I was supposed to. Now I have to go finish theirs too? What my Sergeant was teaching each of us was, “No Man Left Behind.” While this was a simple run, he knew that there might come a day when my fellow Marines might be wounded in battle and need assistance getting home.
How many times in Christianity do we leave a man/woman/child behind? Many times, everything seems to be going right in our own lives while we sit next to brothers and sisters in Christ who are truly hurting. We should find every way possible to take care of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
People will tell us often of the struggles in their lives and our automatic response usually is “I’ll be praying for you.” Now I am not against prayer if you are willing to do it but a lot of times, we use that phrase almost in the way we say, “Good to see you.”
“Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” We have heard this quote many times throughout life. My question today is how much do we care for our fallen or hurting brothers and sisters?
1. Help Restore Them
Galatians 6:1 – “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
2. Bear Their Burdens
Galatians 6:2 – “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
3. Help Them Finish the Course
Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:10 – “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
10/08/2023
Galatians 6:2 – “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
During my four-year stint as a United States Marine, a physical fitness test was required of all Marines every quarter. Every Marine was required to do at least 3 pull-ups, 100 crunches, and run 3 miles in under 27 minutes. I was always able to knock out the 100 crunches in no time and I was usually able to do about 5 pull-ups. The run was where I really surprised myself.
The best runners in the Marine Corps could run 3 miles in under 15 minutes. I was never light on my feet; however, I could run the 3 miles in under 21 minutes. My best 3-mile run was under 20 minutes.
Now the part that I never liked about running that 3-mile run in under 21 minutes is that when I would finish, instead of getting to sit down and rest, my Sergeant would always make us head back down that 3-mile run course and “encourage” the others to finish.
How was this fair? I did my part. I finished my test on time like I was supposed to. Now I have to go finish theirs too? What my Sergeant was teaching each of us was, “No Man Left Behind.” While this was a simple run, he knew that there might come a day when my fellow Marines might be wounded in battle and need assistance getting home.
How many times in Christianity do we leave a man/woman/child behind? Many times, everything seems to be going right in our own lives while we sit next to brothers and sisters in Christ who are truly hurting. We should find every way possible to take care of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
People will tell us often of the struggles in their lives and our automatic response usually is “I’ll be praying for you.” Now I am not against prayer if you are willing to do it but a lot of times, we use that phrase almost in the way we say, “Good to see you.”
“Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” We have heard this quote many times throughout life. My question today is how much do we care for our fallen or hurting brothers and sisters?
1. Help Restore Them
Galatians 6:1 – “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
2. Bear Their Burdens
Galatians 6:2 – “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
3. Help Them Finish the Course
Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:10 – “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
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