Before he enlisted in the army to  fight during the American Civil War, Joshua Chamberlain was a quiet and unassuming university professor. In the crucible of military combat he distinguished himself for his heroism in holding the line during a particularly ferocious battle. He was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour.

To recognise Chamberlain’s contribution to the victory, General Ulysses S. Grant designated him to receive the first flag of surrender from the enemy. The defeated troops of the opposition expected to be ridiculed and humiliated. Instead Chamberlain showed them kindness and respect. For this, the commanding officer of the captured soldiers wrote in his memoirs that Chamberlain was “one of the knightliest soldiers of the [American] Army.”

As a committed Christian, Chamberlain reflected the grace of Christ. We too need to stand for what we believe but also to be kind to those with whom we disagree. Paul exhorted Timothy, “as a good soldier of Jesus Christ . . . . be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition” (2 Tim. 2:3,24-25). In conflict and in reconciliation, our response should reflect the gracious heart of a knightly soldier of Christ.

Author

Dennis Fisher

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