Officers, But Not Gentlemen
by Floyd Chappelear
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 3, September 1995
When God had finished his creative work with the fashioning of man, he declared that it was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). This was because Satan had not entered the earthly scene to confound man and confuse him. Afterward, when the Devil did appear, man was convinced that he could be as wise as God by merely consuming the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:5). Thus began the age-long battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil for the minds of men.
While the Tempter’s tools are many and varied (II Corinthians 2:11), the Lord has but one -- His word (Hebrews 4:11-12; Romans 1:16). Additionally, the hosts of the heavens are aligned with Satan in efforts to tempt, to deceive, and to entrap (Ephesians 6:12; II Corinthians 11:15), whereas the Lord is depending on us, earthen vessels, to carry his life-saving message to the world (II Corinthians 4:7).
Put on the Whole Armor of God
Recognizing that we are at war leads us to arm ourselves appropriately (Ephesians 6:11-18). Not all of the protective covering is defensive, as the cuirass, but some (the sword) is offensive in nature. Thus, as soldiers enrolled in the Lord’s regiment, we should be actively involved in the work of conquering Satan’s realm and freeing the enslaved minions taken captive there (II Timothy 2:3-4).
But we are not the “hosts on high” that characterize Satan’s legions. On the contrary, we are but footsoldiers enlisted to follow the orders of Him who is on high. Lowliness of mind, freedom from personal ambition, and willingness to spend and be spent ought to characterize our attitude (Philippians 2:1-4). Ours should be as the attitude of the sons of Korah, who were admonished to be merely doorkeepers in the house of God rather than to seek the prestigious seats among the wicked (Psalms 84:10).
This mindset is reflected in the fact that we are enjoined to sit in the lower seats at feasts so that we might be moved up, rather than to aspire to a ranking seat in the first place (Luke 14:7-10). Actually, insofar as the kingdom is concerned, there is no rank (or ranking seats) anyway (Matt. 20:20-28). Everyone is on the same level regardless of what work each may do.
Some, however, seem unwilling to be “nobodies” in the realm of God but aspire to a position above others. These want to be “officers” in the Lord’s army and not mere grunts.
A biblical example of such is Diotrephes, who sought the preeminence. Those who might have been “somewhat” among the disciples (the apostles, for instance, Galatians 2:6) were denied because they refused to give recognition to this presumptuous fellow. It is interesting to note that, as men would regard luminaries in the church as “somewhat,” the Lord did not!
Men who seek rank or standing in the brotherhood are dangerous to the cause of Christ. We do not need, nor want, “officers” - but footmen are needed everywhere.
Officers, But Not Gentlemen
When men are motivated badly, their techniques will lack something as well. For this reason, those who would be officers in the kingdom do not deign to be gentlemen as well. The more prominence one seeks, the less likely he will have humbled himself like the Lord (Philippians 2:1-5).
The servant of the Lord does not strive but works gently among those in error (II Timothy 2:24). Increasingly, however, we see men who are abusive of those with whom they disagree and argumentative to the point of being pugilistic. We do not need boxers or brawlers seeking to correct others, but men of gentle spirit who are interested in saving the lost, not vanquishing them.
We must remember that human beings are not our principal enemy, but the Prince of Darkness who has deceived them. Some men and women may give themselves to his service and may thus show themselves to be opposed to what is right. Nevertheless, the Devil is the adversary, and we must remember that.
In conclusion, if one must be an officer in the army, at least be a gentleman. Some good will come from that, in spite of your ambitions to the contrary.
