I served in Vietnam with the Military Assistance Command – Vietnam
(MAC-V) as a radio operator. Soldiers assigned to MAC-V were military advisors
to the Vietnamese Regular Army and Popular Forces (think Guard and Reserve). The Viet Cong were what was known as
insurgents or communist guerilla fighters. A repatriation program called “Chieu
Hoi” or open arms was started, simply, in an effort to encourage these local
fighters to surrender, turn in their weapons and return to their homes. Raising
their hands in surrender and turning away from their life or resistance. (I might add that all of that was to no avail
since in 1975 the war ended and the communists took over South Vietnam.) At any
rate, when I think of Romans 12, the picture of hands raised comes to mind. And
I say to the Lord – Chieu Hoi.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone
loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the
world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not
of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust
of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17
To offer myself as a living sacrifice means to give up your
devotion to what you were formally devoted to – the things of the world. That
is an act of the will. It is not a “one and done” act. Certainly our salvation
is …. Born again … (John 3) Jesus did not say you must be born again and again
and again .. or you must be born again but you can become unborn. (that is all
I will say about eternal security this morning!) But we must be alert to the constant temptation
to embrace that which we had once abandoned. The temptation is not so much “in
your face” but is more insidious, “frog in the pot” temptation. It is more, as
they would say in Haiti – “ti pa tipa” (literally – small footed) it is an idiom for “step by step”.
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way,
walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the
left.” – Isaiah 30:21
You must be on the alert which means you must train your mind –
you must be spiritually alert so you will recognize the dangers. Some of the Viet Cong that were repatriated
through the Chieu Hoi program became what were known as “Kit Carson Scouts” and
would lead patrols to alert friendly forces to dangers along the way. As we would walk along a trail in the
jungles, the Scout would point to a place on the ground and tell us to walk
around it – it was a booby trap – like an IED today. That is, in a way, what
the Spirit does for us. If we are willing to pay attention to the warning and
not think that we are capable of moving our new life on our own without any
help. Suffice it to say that the trails of this life are littered with wounded
Christians who stepped where they shouldn’t.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your
own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your
paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It
will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.’” – Proverbs
3:5-8
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it –
Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His
Glory Alone
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