Chapter – 4 ‘The Chaplin teaches on Salvation’
It was the sixth day since Graham, one of the soldiers, had died while advancing on an enemy location. Commander Holt had completed a short letter to the family of Graham; he briefly explained the war effort and also gave condolences to the family. It was not one of those letters any commander likes to write but the family deserved something to help them through the difficult time of grief.
The Chaplin had helped the Commander with a small portion of the letter explaining the faith that Graham had received prior to the advancement on the enemy that evening. Yosef wanted the family to know that Graham had accepted the atonement that the Lord offers; that he had verbally asked the Lord for the gift of salvation. He told them he was present when Graham accepted HIM as his Savior; that it was ok to mourn but to be assured that he was with Jesus.
The enemy had not returned to the area; it had been quiet and nothing had been heard from the scout patrol since the week before. Word being spread was that Major Cox was getting new orders sometime later in the afternoon.
Captain Holt, the commander, was gone until almost sunset. When he returned all the troops of the platoon were mustered. Surveillance had located the enemy; they had assembled a much larger force to begin their next assault. “The Major told us there were a couple of choppers assigned to help keep tabs on where the enemy is going to go next. We are short manpower if they come our way.” The Commander told them to get plenty of rest since he did not know what the next day would bring.
Beaman was gathered with half a dozen of the soldiers. They weren’t talking much but finally someone asked, “Why do some people talk like Jesus is God? Most of the people I heard growing up, talked like HE was a Rabbi, and often was talking or telling a lot about sin.” Beaman told them that the bible was confusing and most people think it is a fable. It was quiet for several minutes as Yosef gathered his thought. Finally he spoke, “Men, the scriptures are the truths that the God and creator of this world wants mankind to know. God does not force anyone to go to heaven BUT everyone is invited. We all have to make the choice just like those two thieves on the cross beside Jesus had to make. I am going to read you two passages from scripture.” He read 2 Peter 1:20-21; then he paused a moment and then read Colossians 1:13-20. The reading spoke of the awesomeness of Christ.
Yosef was silent for a few moments then he spoke again, “Men, you have to want to draw near to God; it is not like reaching up and plucking a grape from the vine.” He quoted James 4:7-8, saying that if man will draw near to God, HE, God, will draw near to you. The Chaplin asked, “Beaman, have you ever heard the scriptures I just read before?” Beaman told him he had never heard a single one of them. Yosef then asked, “Do you think I would lie to you with some misquote of scripture?” Beaman thought a moment and told the Chaplin that he was an honest man and wouldn’t lie to him or anyone else.
Yosef said, “Let me summarize what I’ve said ok? Jesus is God the son; he shed HIS blood as an atonement for our sin. HE is the only one who can take our sin and absorb it so that in the eyes of God, our sins have been erased. Does that sound right?” Beaman told the Chaplin it sounded close to what was read, “So now what”, he then asked? The Chaplin told the group that they had to do what the Commander had done, “I use Romans 10:9-10 as the scripture to follow.” He quoted it from memory.
Then the Chaplin told them that if we were back in AMERICA on a warm sunny spring morning and you were bringing your family to church, I might speak to you about a different topic. There might be a message about feeding the homeless or donating backpacks to the poor kids starting back to school. I might have asked, “Folks, how would you like treated if you were poor? Not a pleasant thought is it?”
Out here we are in a war zone and we only have basic needs to win a battle. We have basic needs to build a spiritual foundation as well, which is getting each soldier SAVED or Born Again as the scriptures point out. John 3:3
[SAVED = Saved from the wrath to come, which for some will be saved from the torments of HELL]
[Born Again = The spiritual, not the physical – the real you is Soul – Spirit – Mind.] .the body will die
Why do we need SAVED? Because we are ALL sinners; we need the atonement that Jesus provides. Romans 3:23
Beaman exclaimed, “Preacher-boy, I’m sorry that I’ve been giving you a hard time but not a person in my entire life ever took the time to show me the scripture or explain to me who Jesus is. I am ready to become SAVED from that wrath, which is to come!”
Yosef asked a few bullets, short sentences to the group [Are you a sinner? – have you accepted Jesus as your savior and Lord? – do you believe HE died for your sin? – will you make Jesus a priority in your life?] Some answered the questions with a yes, then he told the men to just talk with Jesus like he is standing next to them; tell HIM you are ready to accept him as Savior and Lord. It did not take long; as the small group finished their conversation with the Lord, their Platoon Commander was walking toward them.
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When Graham died; did the angels in heaven rejoice?
Is there any other way for a person to gain heaven, other than the atonement provided by the blood of Christ?
ANS. Not unless a person can follow the 10 commandments and never sin, even once.
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Col. 1:13-20, For GOD rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15JESUS is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
2 Peter 1:20-21, But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
James 4:7-8, Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Romans 10:9-10, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe [trust] in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
John 3:3, Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [A spiritual birth]…
Romans 3:23. for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Hebrews 1:1-13, God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 and He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again, “I will be a Father to Him And He shall be a Son to Me”? 6 And [f]when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” 7 And of the angels He says, “Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. 9 “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.” 10 And, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they all will become old like a garment, 12 And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.” 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said,
“Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies A footstool for Your feet”?
John 1:1-4. The word became flesh. [The Word is one of the words that describe Jesus]
- Few travel the narrow path that leads to eternal life in heaven with Jesus.
- Many travel the wide road leading to eternal wrath with Satan.
DG