I am inspired on Veterans Day by those who have given their lives to protect and preserve the freedoms and privileges we enjoy in this great nation. As citizens of the greatest nation… the greatest society this world has ever seen, we cannot get away from the fact that there was a price that had to be paid for what you and I enjoy today.
The freedom for each one of you to come to your churches and worship without fear of punishment or persecution from a government or opposing sect is really a great thing. The fact that we can crank up the volume in our worship services and sing our guts out… shout to our great God… is an amazing privilege.
But the fact is, there was a price… Some Gave It All… so that you and I can enjoy God’s blessings. I honor not only the veterans of our great country's militaries but also the veterans of our faith.
Those who sacrificed their lives for no earthly kingdom but for The Kingdom of God. There are countless “veterans of the cross” who gave up everything for the cause of Jesus Christ. And through the sacrifices of called men and women of God, we stand today empowered by the message of Jesus Christ.
(Minucius Felix, The Octavius 37, c. 200) – “It's a beautiful thing to God when a Christian does battle with pain. When he faces threats, punishments, and tortures by mocking death and treading underfoot the horror of the executioner; when he raises up his freedom in Christ as a standard before kings and princes; when he yields to God alone and, triumphant and victorious, he tramples upon the very man who has pronounced sentence upon him. God finds all these things beautiful.”
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