03/25/2021
To be a Christian Samurai, you must be humble and know your place.
The beginning learning how to be an effective Christian Samurai is learning Humility. Before you can start to train to be the best you can be in the ministry God has for you, you must learn humility.
1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you”
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
If we seek to be Christian Samurai, and we seek to be good servant leaders, then there is something we must first defeat. As men, we often have a difficult time understanding the concept of being truly humble. We like to compete, we like to better ourselves, and be better than other people. To an extent, and when done right, this is an incredibly good thing. The drive we have to grow and improve ourselves and try to be the best we can be. The Samurai trained daily in their given vocation, striving for perfection. In the same way, we too should strive to be perfect (Though we fail) and train daily in the faith.
The problem comes in when we try to be something, or rather someone, we’re not. Within Christianity there is a hierarchy, and sort of “rank and file”. Everyone is assigned a position by God, and they should seek to fill it the best they can. However, often times men want to be the “top dog”. We seek to be better than everyone else and want to be the one in charge. However, not every man is called to be in a position of great authority. Now, don’t get me wrong, we are all called to be leaders, but not all of us are called to be “high ranking” leaders. Some are called to be Pastors, while others are called to be small group leaders, and still others leaders of their family, and even (when single) simply the leader of his life. Each has a certain level of leadership, some more difficult than others. The key is understanding where God wants us, then humbly accepting this place and serving to the fullest capacity in that role.
Many men have visions of grandeur within the Church. The idea of being the next “Billy Graham” is alluring, but for many that isn’t where you are called to be, and if you want to be that because it means you’re famous, well that’s the wrong reason altogether. Very few men are taught that it’s okay to be the lowest rank. We see great leaders who can speak to thousands and lead armies into battle, and all too often we don’t think about how much they need those they lead. While many men want to be the next “Billy Graham”, not very many want to be the guy who plants the seed that leads to the next “Billy Graham”. Not many men want to be the lower ranking soldiers either, supporting those in higher rank. This can create a problem.
While teaching men to strive for greatness is good, we must also teach them to strive for humility and serve in the way God wants them to. We must teach them that we need foot soldiers and generals, and that both are important. What is a general without his soldiers?
In 1 Peter 5:5 we read:
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””
We are called, especially when younger, to be subject to the elders. There is good reason for this. There is much we can learn from them. They may also need people working under them, to help further the Kingdom of God. Keeping a humble mind and being willing to fill that role and fill it the best you can is Godly.
The next issue is we face as men is understating what kind of warrior God called us to be. Each kind is equally important, and rather difficult to do. We were never called to have a comfortable life. In another post I will go over each kind of warrior God calls us to be, and how each one is supported. I will also go over different positions within that warrior group.
