Come Aboard

When the captain calls for all hands on deck, he has a plan and a purpose. First, it’s a call to come aboard. Come aboard, leaving behind the ones you love, leaving the comforts of home, even putting yourself in harm’s way. Second, it’s the call that includes every man on board ship that is able and capable of getting to the deck. It happens when there is an emergency or a specific need that requires the masses. To legitimately get on board that ship, you must be in the service of your Country. The key word is in. There were some things that had to be done before you were in. You couldn’t just arbitrarily walk into the good graces of the United States Navy and climb on board as a sailor.

Calling all hands to the deck is typical of Christ calling us to service for his Kingdom building. It could mean leaving someone behind that you love, fighting for a cause, leaving the comforts of home, putting yourself in harm’s way—there is a sacrifice to be made for serving Christ.

In the Navy, there are prerequisites to specific orders that must be obeyed. For instance:

Come Aboard. You have to be in the service of the Country to legitimately be on board.

Come on Deck. You can be on board ship without being on deck.  Being called on deck has its own requirements.

Prepare for Battle. There are prerequisites to battle. Preparing to encounter the enemy requires obedience to specific orders and commands.

There is a superb comparison here. When Christ is seeking you for salvation (come aboard), he is giving you an opportunity.  

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; 

if any many hear my voice and open the door, 

I will come into him, and sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20

The ball is in your court. Jesus does not force himself upon you. Just like joining the Navy, the initial decision is yours. Once that is accomplished there are some mandates and there is a contrast.

One of those mandates is to serve him (come on deck). If you’re in Christ,  you’re already on board. Now you’re needed for a particular assignment. You’re called and expected to come on deck.  

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; 

because the Lord hath anointed me to preach 

good tidings unto the meek; 

he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, 

to proclaim liberty to the captives, 

and the opening of the prison 

to them that are bound. 

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, 

and the day of vengeance of our God; 

to comfort all that mourn.

Isaiah 61:1-2

It’s not optional. Serving Christ is not only a joy and privilege. The Great Commission is a mandate. 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, 

baptizing them in the name of the Father, 

and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

teaching them to observe all things 

whatsoever I have commanded you: 

and, lo, I am with you always, 

even unto the end of the world.

Matthew 28:19-20

Another mandate is preparing to face the enemy. Serving Christ calls for preparation for battle. It is expedient! 

Put on the whole armor of God, 

that ye may be able to 

stand against the wiles of the devil. 

For we wrestle not 

against flesh and blood 

but against principalities, 

against powers, 

against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 6:11-12

The Navy can do all in its power to “bring you home safely.” But sometimes that is not possible, humanly speaking. However, our great God and Savior has promised to go with us even to the ends of the earth, and he will bring us safely into harbor when our life here is finished. 

For we know that if 

our earthly house of this tabernacle 

were dissolved, we have a building of God, 

an house not made with hands, 

eternal in the heavens. 

For in this we groan, 

earnestly desiring to be clothed upon 

with our house which is from heaven.

II Corinthians 5:1

So, you see, Christ is our earnest—the earnest of our expectation. We glory in the fact. Our natural bodies long for his appearing, and he is faithful who promised. He will be there to welcome us home.

Now, it doesn’t get any better than that. Not even in this man’s Navy!

Anchored in Christ Alone,

Victor W. Baugh, Ph.D.