A Grander Accolade

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Some months ago I read an interesting account of a corporal in Napoleon Bonaparte’s army. During a battle in Europe, Napoleon lost his grip on the bridle of his horse while he was looking through some documents. At that precise moment, the horse reared itself, and the Emperor lost his balance. The corporal quickly leaped forward, catching the bridle just in the nick of time. The horse was steadied, which saved Napoleon from possible injury.  

Napoleon saluted the corporal and said, "Thank you, Captain!" 

"Of what company, Sire?" asked the corporal. 

"Of my guards," replied Napoleon.

The young corporal immediately took his musket and laid it aside. He walked across the field toward the Emperor's staff, at the same time tearing off his corporal's stripes. He took his place among the officers, and one of them asked, “What are you doing here, lad?”

“I am the captain of the Emperor's Guards,” he replied. 

"By whose order?" 

"By the order of the Emperor himself," he replied!

A man of less faith might have returned to his ranks, happily boasting the rest of his enlistment how the Emperor once called him “Captain.” But not this soldier. No! He took the Emperor at his word. 

While Christ followers have never been called “Captain,” we have accolades of a grander sort: chosen, elect of God, sons of God, joint-heirs, saints, holy, sanctified, and many, many more!

Let’s choose not to return to the ranks of the “old man,” but rather put on the “new man,” fashioned after our Savior, Christ the Lord. [Colossians 3:8-10] 

We are Christ’s; sons and daughters of the living God. Let’s live accordingly!

[Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform. Romans 4:20-21