"Gentlemen, this is the real thing. This is what you've been trained for. You are America's best. Make us proud.”
That quote is from the movie Top Gun (1986). It is spoken by Commander Tom "Stinger" Jardian during the final mission briefing on the USS Ranger. He uses it to address Maverick, Iceman, and Hollywood right after laying out the rescue mission rules of engagement concerning the hostile MiGs in the area.
Biblical Application
The disciples spent three and a half years training under Jesus to prepare them for their mission of spreading the message of salvation after Jesus was no longer here physically.
All of them fought hard to spread the Gospel and did so against immense opposition until the day they died.
When Paul became an apostle, he faced some of the most intense pressure to walk away, but he never did.
Why did Paul and the other Apostles forge ahead regardless of the opposition? Because they knew how important it was to tell others about Christ. They knew deep in their hearts that everything was true.
They all knew this was the real thing and they knew they were trained for the mission.
In the following Scriptures, Paul expresses the reality of being a Christian. He understood that it can be a battle at times, and that it takes endurance to not drop out off the race. For Paul, there was nothing more important than spreading the Gospel of Christ Jesus, and nothing was going to stop him from doing so.
1 Cor 9: 24-27, Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Tim 6:11-12, But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.
2 Tim 4: 7-8, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
You’ve been training as well from the moment you realized you needed God’s forgiveness, and from the second you accepted the free gift of mercy and grace, and gave your life to Christ.
And now, my friends, it’s our turn to fight the good fight, and to run the race that Christ Jesus has prepared us for. This is the Real Thing!
But please make no mistake, you cannot do that alone, you need the power of Christ.
2 Cor 10: 3-4, For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
Ephesians 6:10-11, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Verses 14-20 describe the armor of God)
Study God’s Word every day, pray for wisdom and endurance, and know that when the opposition or pressures come, Christ is with you and you are doing what he wants you to do.
1 Peter 3:13-17, Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
While we will not be in the battle 24/7, we need to be prepared at all times. In that regard, I leave you with one more Top Gun quote:
"This school is about combat. There are no points for second place."
Let me be clear, this is not about points. We have been commissioned by Christ Jesus to win the fight and save people from hell.
As you forge ahead, my prayer for you is the same as that which Paul prayed for the Philippians,
Phil 1:9-11, And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Let me end with a little poetic license edits to the original quote:
[All Christians], this is the real thing. This is what you've been trained for. You are [Christ’s] best. Make [Jesus] proud.”
