My Identity: A Solider

August 2018 Derek Mylan Alldred, 47, was sentenced by a federal court to 24 years in prison after he pled guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identify fraud. Along with the prison sentence, Alldred is ordered to pay $255,000 in restitution. Alldred is accused of impersonating a military officer, and

presenting himself as a U.S. Navy pilot and defense analyst to victims that he scammed, most of whom were women he met online.

He used phony uniforms and awards, including a Purple Heart and a Silver Star, to victimize a woman he was dating. He charged more than $12,000 to her credit card. The woman grew suspicious of him and filed a police report.

The Texas woman who reported Alldred to police said she met him online where he claimed to be a Navy pilot and professor by the name of Rich Tailor. She reportedly posted a video to Facebook in which she warned Texas women to be aware of Alldred.

Investigators discovered he had victimized 25 other people in California, Hawaii, Minnesota and Nevada. Alldred was arrested in June 2017 after a sting operation carried out by Texas police and the U.S. Navy NCIS agency.

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 imposes possible fines and a prison sentence of up to one year for individuals who fraudulently represent themselves as a recipient of the Purple Heart, Silver Star or other significant combat awards for the purpose of obtaining money, goods or other benefits.

2 Timothy 2:3–4 CSB

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer.

Paul often used military illustrations in his letters. This is not surprising since he lived in a military state and was in prison himself. He described in these verses the characteristics of a “good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

Endures Hardship (v. 3)

The following are actual responses from comment cards given to the staff members at Bridger Wilderness Area in 1996:

Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands.

Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill.

Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the areas of these pests.

Please pave the trails so they can be snow-plowed during the winter.

Chair lifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them.

The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.

A small deer came into my camp and stole my jar of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call …

Reflectors need to be placed on trees every50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights.

Escalators would help on steep uphill sections.

A McDonald’s would be nice at the trailhead.

The places where trails do not exist are not well marked.

Too many rocks in the mountains.

The appeal to “endure hardship” means literally to suffer together with someone.

Many people have the idea that the Christianity is about comfort, convenience, and ease. But a dedicated Christian is in a battle that requires spiritual endurance (see Eph. 6:10ff).

Avoids Worldly Entanglements (v. 4)

Paul’s appeal shows the importance of developing an ability to distinguish between doing good things and doing the best things. Servants of Christ are not merely to be well-rounded dabblers in all types of trivial pursuits. They are tough-minded devotees of Christ who constantly choose the right priorities from a list of potential selections. Paul prohibited the loss of single-mindedness and the longing for an easy life

To get “involved in civilian affairs” called for Timothy not to be absorbed in merely living or existing. It was not a prohibition of marriage, nor was it merely an appeal to escape from worldliness. It called for Timothy to give himself fully to the service of his commanding officer: “Singleness of purpose and detachment from extraneous cares are essential conditions of successful service.

I recall a story about a Civil War soldier who happened to be a watchmaker. One day the bugle sounded and the men were told to break camp. “But I can’t go now!” the soldier complained. “I have a dozen watches to repair!”

Trusts his Commanding Officer (v.4 )

It is faith in Jesus Christ that gives us victory (1 John 5:4). We do not fear the enemies, for He has already conquered them. Through our identification with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection, we have won the victory (see Rom. 6).

But Paul makes it clear (2 Tim. 2:13) that even our own doubt and unbelief cannot change Him: “He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” We do not put faith in our faith or in our feelings because they will change and fail. We put our faith in Christ.

The great missionary,

J. Hudson Taylor, “It is not by trying to be faithful, but in looking to the Faithful One, that we win the victory.”

A foreigner named Ezra came to America and was invited to tour sites exhibiting great power and strength. Ezra’s host, Bob, first took him to see the nuclear power plant and said, “Ezra, within this nuclear power plant is enough power to provide electricity for the entire state.” Ezra pulled out a notepad and scribbled a note.

Their next stop was a large military base. “Ezra, these soldiers and many more like them make us the strongest country on the face of the earth,” Bob boasted as he showed Ezra around. As before, Ezra pulled out his notepad and scribbled another note.

Observing how impressed Ezra was, Bob then took him to the seat of political power and strength—the nation’s capitol. “Ezra, the most powerful men in the world work here. Can’t you just sense the strength of this city? It’s almost intoxicating,” Bob said. Once again Ezra took pen and paper and scribbled a note.

When it came time for Ezra to return to his own country, Bob was curious and said, “Tell me Ezra, were you impressed by the sources of power and strength I showed you? I noticed you took careful notes at each place we visited. If I may ask, what were your comments?”

Ezra pulled out his notepad and read these notes to Bob:

• Concerning the nuclear power plant—eventually, its strength will fail.

• Concerning the soldiers—eventually, they will die.

• Concerning the politicians—eventually, their power will corrupt them and they will fall or be voted out of power or retire and their power will be no more.

“Bob, each of these sources of strength and power have limitations. If you are trusting in these, then your strength will be limited also.”

What sources of strength and power impress you? Are you looking for strength in the things of this world or strength through the grace of God?

Closing

How strong is your grip? When you shake someone’s hand … when you hold a tennis racket … when you hold a tool? Whether it be a handshake, participation in sports, or being a handyman around the home, a firm grip is desirable. Just think how limp a weak handshake feels. A bad grip on a tennis racket will propel the racket out of your hand and into the air. A weak grip on a hammer will not drive the nail into the board. Just as it is important to have a strong grip in these areas, it is critically important for the Christian believer to have a good grip on the Lord Jesus.

The Psalmist, King David, reminds us with this vivid illustration:

“My soul clings to Thee; Thy right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:8, NASB).

In other words, “Hang on as He holds on to you!” In a world that is filled with wickedness and false teaching, believers must hold fast to the Lord Jesus Christ.