When I started my first job at 16, dad said to me on my way out the door, “Answer to the man.” “What do you mean?”, I asked. “Son, when you’re on the boss’ time, do what he says without complaining.” I took my dad’s advice that day, and it made all the difference.
The Apostle Paul, in prison and facing execution, said something similar to his young apprentice, Timothy.
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer.
2 Timothy 2:3-4
I’ve never been a soldier, but as a teacher on an army post, I rub shoulders with people in the military every day. One thing I’ve noticed is there’s an Army regulation for almost everything a soldier does. I once asked a military friend, “Don’t you think a ten point checklist to park and secure a combat vehicle is a little over-the-top?”
“What I think is irrelevant. I do my job and follow orders. Anything else is an indulgence.”
*SSG McMurtry (Just a cool Hollywood sounding name. Not the real guy’s.)
Impressive. “But what if there aren’t specific orders or regulations for something?,” I asked. “How do you respond?” “That’s when you follow the commander’s intent,” he said.
He explained that, in a combat situation, all written orders are assumed to be fluid. No plan survives intact once there’s contact with the enemy. The commander’s intent is a short statement written in bold print that essentially says, “Whatever happens, this is the most important thing to accomplish.”
VERY impressive. I started looking for commander’s intent statements in the Bible.
I found Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians, who were living under intense persecution.
Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:27
And Jesus’ charge to His earliest followers:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Matthew 28:19
Answering to the man (God) can be challenging. If there was only an app called FaceofGodBook, with those little red numbers over the icon–you know, messages from heaven?
However, we do have the Bible, and we know what Jesus did, and we also have the Holy Spirit. And that’s enough to know the Commander’s intent.
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
31 responses to “Answer to the Man”
You’re welcome, Mamalava! Thank you for reading and commenting. I tapping over right now to check out your site! Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27 Thank you for this succinct example of our Commander’s intent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you, However I am having issues with your RSS. I don’t know why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody else having similar RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
LikeLike
Love this post (being prior military)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a lot of self reflections lately with work and management. Sometimes we meet bosses that only serves their interest and equality is not transparent nor observe. But we do meet bosses too that are tru leaders, who think of everyone’s welfare fairly. Boss that makes us eager to work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t thought about this from your angle. It is important to know what you believe and why BEFORE going out into the world. Otherwise, the world will wear you down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for today’s inspiration my friend. The world many times is in contrast to God’s words and teachings. Corporate world is all about profit , gains, success at all cost. Self battle happens when our values contradicts the boss orders. It is very important to have our morals and principles intact and strong , otherwise , we will man will win over God and humanity.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amen, Manette. As another reader pointed out, the better we know God the more we will understand His heart and intentions. That’s for reading and commenting. Blessings.
LikeLike
Wow! This is a powerful analogy. It reframes everything in life to the simplest form God – deserves my unquestioning obedience. He is the Commander.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate your reading and commenting, Ann. I’m not sure if I’ve heard the song you mention. I will look it up. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Follow the commander’s intent! A crucial part of Christian living. Reminds me of the song, Let thy will be done. Thanks for the blog. God bless you!🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Chris. You make a great point—the better we know God, the better we will understand His intent. I am grateful for your input. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anything else is indulgence. Wow! That hit me hard. Great analogy. I also love that we are to understand the commander’s intent. It’s not just what’s written there. It’s about knowing the commander, the objective and the intent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your thoughts, Matcha. The proof is indeed in the “putting”; what are we giving top priority in our lives? Blessings
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, we should make sure we accomplish what God wants before everything else. It becomes difficult to do in some jobs (like my own), however I can see the difference in the way I lead and others lead. It shows in their interactions and in those that follow them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed my post. I appreciate your reading and commenting. God Bless.
LikeLike
Thanks, Jeffrey! I am grateful you stopped by and also shared your thoughts. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate that example. Believe it or not, I’ve always had a hard time figuring out what 2 Tim.2:3-4 meant in my daily life. Reading this makes it clearer for me. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really enjoyed this. Brings a lot of clarity to how we live and read our Bibles!
LikeLiked by 2 people
And for that, we are grateful 🙏🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dee! Being a good soldier means living like one. Easier said than done, but at least we have help from heaven. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“What I think is irrelevant. I do my job and follow orders. Anything else is an indulgence.”
This statement really hit home for me, David. Who am I to question the command and orders of my Daddy. I’m to obey without hesitation. I’m to follow without complaint. What ABBA says – goes!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you , Alan. God Bless you too, brother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really love that David! The be all and end of all is definitely the Commander’s Intent, in the Word of God. God bless you brother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done.
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Pastor! God Bless.
LikeLike
Love that…The Commander’s intent. That I will remember. Thanks
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Manu. Yes, we most certainly have everything we need to complete our mission with God. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I read the two verses you put in from the perspective you mentioned. There truly leaves no room for excuse. We are to conduct ourselves in a godly manner and make disciples. It just makes me reflect on these verses differently.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I know what you’re talking about. I’ve had the same thing happen! God is good. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate the parallels here. Earlier this morning I was reading about how to apply the armor of God to our prayer life. I ♥️ when God shows me the same thing in multiply ways!
Trust & Obey!
LikeLiked by 1 person