Published by Patriot is defined very simply as ‘one who loves and defends his or her country’ by the Webster’s Dictionary. They are dedicated to and will die for their belief in their country.
In the US Army the first phase of Basic Training, or Boot Camp, is the patriot Phase. The civilian is taken in and indoctrinated into the soldier’s way of life. No more are their own desires and their own needs the major part of their life. Now they are the ultimate Patriot. Their life is given over to serving and protecting their country. They learn the Core Values of being a soldier, the heritage of those that came before them and their inheritance as a member of this army. They learn the proper way for a soldier to carry themselves and to look. Their clothing and their image is changed. They no longer look or act like a civilian. They represent the United States and they must look and act in a manner that is befitting them.
The army of God is much the same way. The Holy Spirit will spend much time with you training you and teaching you who you are. He is your instructor; the Drill Sergeant (John 14:17, 26). He will show you the heritage of those before you and the inheritance that is now yours. You will learn about your mission to advance the kingdom of God and that without you the kingdom suffers. You will suddenly and slowly loose interest in those things that once held you. God will give you new dreams and new desires far greater then you could have ever imagined (Jeremiah 29:11-14). Your look and the way you act will change. No longer do you represent yourself. Now you are an Ambassador for Christ (1st Corinthians 5:20, Ephesians 6:20). You represent Jesus.
