.

One day an experienced "fellow soldier" from another battalion got beside a good keen soldier and offered to protect him from all harm and danger (actually this "fellow soldier" was from someone else's foreign army - yes he told a half truth).  Up to this point in time the fresh import had shown himself to be kindly, supportive and helpful, volunteering to carry the good keen soldier's kit-bag and armour, as well as providing all meals for him. 

Because his new found comrade was formerly from a higher rank, the good keen soldier thought it an honour that someone of higher military standing was taking charge of his daily, personal responsibilities, routines and duties.  Especially, someone from another army group.  After all, how and where could he find such a more pleasant and professional "armour bearer"!?

Furthermore, the good keen soldier thought it was so thoughtful of his new found acquaintance going the extra mile in offering to carry his sword also, in the interim between battles, that a mutual bond of trust was soon fostered.  Besides ...  by his comrade's generosity in gladly taking all this burden for himself, he thought it would make the way much easier and hassle free.

However, a condition was agreed to in exchange for these nice favours, from his gentlemanly companion.  This was for the good keen soldier to be willing to hand over his most prised and treasured possession; indefinitely.  This way his sword would be deemed to be in good hands, for safe keeping and carefree maintenance; constantly.

"How lovely and pleasant of my fellow comrade-in-arms to offer such devoted service to my well being and upkeep," the good keen soldier thought to himself.  This way his caring and trusted former superior would always be making sure his sword would be kept in sharp, clean, and mint condition; avoiding corrosion, or getting misplaced or stolen.  Besides ...  there would be no more bloodied and fierce battles to fight.  Plus, promotion would be obtained with much less difficulty.

What's more, the good keen soldier's former superior also promised he would guard both the sword and his friend with his life, pointing out how defenceless he would be without him.  As well as reminding him of how he would've been so appreciative himself, if a similar "armour bearer" had been offered to him in his own past campaigns and training.

This meant the good keen soldier was now entirely dependant upon his experienced, caring fellow soldier.  Moreover, due to his fellow soldier's kind acts of service and benevolence towards him, he had now won his full trust, and was looking forward to his next battle with full confidence.  Until that day when his "faithful" brother-in-arms abandoned him in the battlefield, and left for him dead, where the good keen (now disabled) soldier remained seriously wounded.

Incidentally, when the day came in going before the King in order to give an account of the battle, the good keen (now invalid) soldier was quite speechless in coming up with reasons why he gave away his sword and trusted in someone else (particularly a stranger and foreigner) in doing his thinking and fighting for him.  Especially, when in actual fact, he had been commanded and warned previously by his King, to let no man deceive him.

The command had been made very precisely and clearly by the King upon enlistment, that the good keen soldier was to place no one else's word above the King, irrespective of whether the person was more qualified, certified or experienced than himself!  Or whether he was a friend, foe, or an acquaintance!  As in the words of the decree:

"The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it."

Here'iz da moral of de story ...  "where's ya sword comrade?"

"if"
"why"
"intro"
"gideon"
"footwashing"
"the fishermen"
"the experience"
"servant or clone"
"the gospel for dummies"
"how to collect brownie points"
"establishing who the gospel is for"
"Jesus is coming - don't get bogged down"
"beyond a popcorn testimony - "why we quit"
"beware of more diversions and obstacles"
"hath not one God created us?"
"the evangelical subculture"
"church is fantastic 1"
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"a good keen soldier"
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