Volume 28, No. 37
October 5, 2003        

The Return Coat

   His very name symbolizes treachery and betrayal. Benedict Arnold will always be remembered as one of the most famous turncoats of all time. But many don’t know of Arnold’s life before and after his infamous double cross.  It’s a story worth telling, especially for those of us in need of hope.

   When the War of Independence first began, Arnold was one of the most brilliant American generals.  His men described him as “the very genius of war” and he helped the breakaway colonies get the upper hand over the British during the decisive battle of Saratoga in 1777.

   But the celebrated soldier soon became bitter when others got the promotions he felt he deserved.  After several perceived slights and insults, he crossed over to the enemy in 1779.

   Though the general secretly plotted to hand over his New York fort to the British, in exchange for what would today amount to a million dollars, the treasonous plan fell through when the Americans captured his British accomplice, major John Andre.  Andre was hanged as a spy but Arnold escaped, led a raid against American forces in his home state of Connecticut, then ran off to England.  

   For years after, he lived with his wife and children, alone and ailing until he died at age 60, suffering from asthma, gout and heart failure.  According to one account of his final days — and I pray it’s true — Arnold insisted his friends dress him in his Revolutionary War garb.  “Let me die in my old uniform,” he wheezed.  “God forgive me for ever putting on any other.”

   Perhaps you can relate.  Most of us are acutely aware of our betrayal of the Supreme commander who called us to fight a revolutionary war against the oppression of sin and death.  Like Benedict Arnold, most of us start strong with a clear sense of vision, vitality and invincibility, all of it reinforced by early victories, big and small.

   But the seeds of treachery are sown the minute we see our service as a sacrifice for which God owes us.  As soldiers of the Cross, our motivation must be gratitude, not gain;  respect, not reward.  We’re missionaries, not mercenaries.

   Jesus said as much when He told his followers their first duty was not to themselves, but to the One they served.  “And the servant [soldier] isn’t even thanked,” He explained, “because he’s merely doing what he’s supposed to do.  In the same way, when you obey Me you should say, ‘We’re not worthy of praise.  We’re servants [soldiers] who’ve simply done our duty.’” (Luke 17:9,10)  In other words, God owes us nothing.  Not even an explanation.

   But often when we don’t feel we’re getting our just desserts, we just desert.  Pride, pain and frustration make it easier to double-cross the Cross and take what we can get to compensate for what we think we’re owed.  Trouble is, nothing the world can offer is enough to compensate for what we leave behind.  Ultimately, we find ourselves running from God and our guilt.  Even if we settle into an unsettling life of spiritual exile, we find ourselves beset by regret and besieged by sorrow.  Faith and joy falter.  The heart is the last to fail.

   In a world that rarely gives us a second look, let alone a second chance, it’s easy to think defeat is final.  We’re conditioned to assume that once we fall, we’re defined by our failure, once and for all.  Thank God it isn’t so.  Pardon and spiritual progress are possible, not because we deserve them, but because Jesus has already won the war against evil and issued a reprieve to all who repent.  Whenever we’re willing, we can accept the amnesty and wear again the Christian uniform, clothing ourselves “with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Col. 3:12)

   No matter how serious the sin, God loves us and that should make us appreciate and practise grace all the more.  “Remember,” says Paul, “the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love.” (v. 13,14)  Think of it as the return coat for the turncoat.

By Rick Gamble, published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the Followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications.  To subscribe, contact sgamble@bfree.on.ca