Marine Corps Love

I went to a Bible Study on base this week. Myself and about 8 other Marines met at the Rec Center over a couple of pizzas to discuss some scriptures and pray. One of the scriptures that was read was 1 John 3:15-16.

"Anyone who hates his brother is at heart a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding within him.

By this we come to know the love: that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay our lives down for those who are our brothers."

There are few verses more perfect for a Marine than this one, as it is true on multiple levels. As brothers in Christ, we are to care for each other more than ourselves. As fellow Marines, the life of the man to ones left and right is more important than your own. It presents a beautiful comparison that struck right to the very center of what the Marine Corps is founded upon.

Continuing on in 1 John 3:17, it speaks of how we are to share our resources and provide for our brothers, for if we truly loved them, how could we languish in abundance while they are unable meet their own most basic needs? Looking at ones own heart, it is clear to me that if I truly loved a person, I would want what is best for them and would be happy to provide for them to the best of my ability. But it is also here that I feel an important distinction needs to be made.

We must be certain we are following the spirit of the law, and not just the word of it. The pharasees are perfect examples of people who followed the letter of the law, but missed the point of it entirely. They spent time praying, gave tithes, provided money to the poor... but they were so wrapped up in being pious, spiritual, and following the law that they weren't truly listening to God. It seems we all tend to run into similar problems. We need to do all things out of love for each other, not simply because it is written in the Bible. Christianity is not intended to be a religion of rules.

An example I posed at the study refers to the men who have won the Medal of Honor. These are awarded for "conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty." The majority are awarded posthumously, but those who survive to tell their story never mention doing something heroic because they were thinking about a medal. They charge machine gun nests, throw their bodies on top of grenades, drag fallen comrades out of brutal cross-fires, and single-handedly clear houses full of insurgents, but it is never because they wanted a medal. Their brothers in arms were in danger and their response was out of love for them. John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

This is the type of mentality we must aspire towards as Christians. We need to stop doing things simply "because the Bible says to" and start doing them because in our hearts we feel compassion and love to our fellow man. Give to the poor, not because we should, but because we love them. Volunteer our time, not because we're supposed to, but because we want to. Tithe to the Church not because the Bible says to, but because we are genuinely thankful for our blessings. Christianity is not a religion of rules, but a religion of love.

"Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American GI.
One died for your soul,
The other for your freedom."
-Author Unknown