Memorial Day is a national holiday set aside to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives for our country and the freedoms we enjoy today. Perhaps some of you reading these lines were eyewitnesses to a fellow-soldier who died in combat and never came home. I am reminded of the saying concerning our military veterans, “All gave some; some gave all.” This weekend we honor those who did exactly that — they gave all so that you and I could live in a free country. I am thankful for their sacrifice.

This Pastor’s E-Loop, however, deals with a different military. If you are a Christian, you are a part of this army, the Lord’s Army. The battle we are engaged in as believers is not a physical battle with man-made weapons, but a spiritual battle which must be waged using spiritual weapons. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)” II Corinthians 10:3-4.

As I look at the Lord’s Army, I ask myself this question: “Does our church have any battle casualties?” I believe we do, and they are listed here below:

1. KILLED IN ACTION BY THE ENEMY
They promised all allegiance to our heavenly Commander-in-Chief, His Commission and His Church…were taught John 3:16…handed out a couple of tracts…and went out against a well-armed, well-trained enemy who soundly defeated them at once. Disillusioned, discouraged and defeated, they have left the battlefield. We mourn their loss!

2. KILLED OR WOUNDED BY “FRIENDLY FIRE”
These soldiers of the Lord were engaged in battle, but drew unexpected “fire” from those wearing the same uniform. Some Christians seem oblivious to the fact that the enemy is not their brother or sister in Christ. These victims of “friendly fire” have also left the battlefield of faith because they were injured and left behind by a comrade in arms. We mourn their loss!

3. MISSING IN ACTION AND PRESUMED DEAD
We still carry them on the duty roster, but many of them only show up for “muster” at Christmas and Easter, and some have not been seen or heard from in a long time. They may have “deserted” or been captured by the enemy and rendered helpless, but either way, the results are the same. They have laid down their arms and have ceased to fight. Insofar as the battle is concerned, they are presumed dead. We mourn their loss!

Yes, unfortunately, the church does indeed have some battle casualties. May I ask you kindly, are you one of them?  If so, may I remind you that God has not left you and He is patiently waiting for you to return to His service. Why not report for duty immediately?

There’s an old hymn that sums this up so well for us as soldiers of the Lord:

“There’s a royal banner given for display to the soldiers of the King;
As an ensign fair we lift it up today, while as ransomed ones we sing.
Marching on, marching on, for Christ count everything but loss;
And to crown Him King, toil and sing, ‘neath the banner of the cross!”

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (II Timothy 2:3-4).