It is not hard to convince a soldier of the reality of sin.
He recognizes that sin is at work in a world that necessitates war to maintain order. He, when humble, recognizes that sin is something at work within his own thoughts, words, and deeds. He will often engage in humorous practice of apologizing to the chaplain if he cusses in front of him, though the chaplain repeatedly says he doesn't care. Yet even that apology is an implicit acknowledgement that sin is not acceptable and will be accounted for.
But sin is not relegated to mere cuss words, lies, gossip, etc. It also doesn't belong simply to the normal catalog of common sexual sins today, such as promiscuity, homosexuality, pornography, etc. It belongs to the human condition. We must look past the idea that sin is simply a matter of what we do and acknowledge that it is a part of who we are. My symptoms reflect a greater disease.
This reality is a hard one to face for most people, including soldiers. If I am a sinner, then my lie cannot simply be wiped away by a generous act. Even if my good deeds could outweigh my bad deeds on balance (which they cannot--even our good deeds are like filthy rags before the Lord), they cannot atone for a nature that is fundamentally at war with the King.
While this is a hard reality, it also creates a humility and fundamental equality that allows for greater vulnerability (I know, a mouthful!). My sin is clearly evident to my soldiers. I am ashamed of it, and I will continue to grow, but I don't both trying to deny or excuse it. If I wrong someone, I try to apologize quickly. When I struggle, my soldiers will know I will be honest with them.
In these things, I try to uphold the truth that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of who I am the worst. But it is for this very reason that He came--that in me, the worst of sinners, He might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who might believe and have eternal life" (1 Tim. 1:15-16).
I am an idiot saved by grace and readily confess this fact. My soldiers appreciate this fact and are more honest and vulnerable with me as a result. They know that I do not believe myself better than them. I had a soldier once freely tell me, "Sir, I love pornography." He knew I wouldn't condemn him for his admission, but he also knew that I would ask him why and invite a healthy discussion.
If my soldiers know I am a sinner, then they are free to be sinners in front of the chaplain. In this way, I am dealing with real soldiers, rather than the dressed up personas often presented to the chaplain. I don't want Sunday School soldiers. I want sinners in my path and hope that by the grace of God, I can share with them the grace that saved me, the worst of sinners, and manifest my own sinful expression of that grace in the warm and gentle tone I take with them.
May God grant me the wisdom, humility, and honesty needed to undertake a calling much greater than me. My life is bound to my calling, and my calling is bound to my Savior.
