Better Chaplain Series - Do Good to Everyone

This chapter comes approximately half-way through this devotional for a reason. I hope God’s Word has convinced you in many ways heretofore that the chaplain has many opportunities to do good. Building from the previous chapter (Jeremiah 29:7), you are called to seek the welfare of the people you are among in exile.

But, not everyone will be happy that you’re seeking the good of the people you’re trying to bless. Have you ever worked with or for someone who gets mad that something good is happening? Where does that come from? Laziness? Hatred? Jealousy? Some combination of those and more?

Sometimes this opposition is direct, other times it will be subtle and hidden, but never forget that most of the world does not want you to do good in Jesus’ name, if at all. Violence and anger may erupt, but it also comes dressed as budget restrictions, impossible bureaucracy, or veiled optimism. I’ll never forget planning my first outreach which was a breakfast provided to our church’s nearest police station and fire station. A week later I learned that the whole project had been scrapped. Upon digging I learned that it had been pitched to the budget committee to feed practically every police officer and firefighter in the county, costing multiple thousands of dollars. I learned later that the person who pitched it did not want to run the outreach and had taken a calculated risk to see that it was not funded.

But you, chaplain, have the opportunity to seek the welfare of the people, not just to feed their bellies, but to feed their souls with a message that will keep them full for eternity. Christians and—more importantly—Christ, will “rejoice with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6) in the good you are doing for the people.

Key Verse: “It displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.” ~ Nehemiah 2:10

More:

1. It’s important to realize that many Christians who have been martyred (suffered and/or died for their faith) throughout history were not thought too loving, too joyful, too friendly, or too godly, but were accused of standing against the established gods, swaying people away from expensive economically important sins, and of causing unrest amongst the populace. Paul Washer predicts that the next great persecution will come because Christians will not yield to the definition of love popularly used by the world. Is this a true saying, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)?

2. It has been said that Christianity is “one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread.” But isn’t it more accurate to say that Christianity is “one traitor to Satan’s kingdom telling his fellow soldiers to defect and join the opposing force.”? John Bunyan put words in Apollyon’s mouth, “I am the prince and god of [the City of Destruction]…there is no prince that will lightly lose his subjects, neither will I as yet lose thee; but since though complainest of thy service and wages, be content to go back, and what our country will afford I do here promise to give thee.”

3. It’s common in some chaplain circles to say, “I love Jesus, but…” the “but” is related to following regulations, openly identifying yourself with Christ, or spending money. Is there ever a legitimate reason to say “I love Jesus, but…”? Is anyone helped by saying that? Based on John 14:15, 1:20, and Matthew 10:32-33 shouldn’t you say, “I love Jesus, so…”

4. Resources:

Spurgeon, Charles. Lectures to My Students. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2008.

Harris, Alex and Brett Harris. Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations. Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah Books, 2008.