No doubt many of us have heard these 2 words spoken, it is a common phrase and motto among the ranks of the military.

So what does it mean?

Semper fidelis is a Latin phrase that means

“always faithful” or “always loyal”

Fidelis or Fidelity.

Latin pronunciation:  sɛmpɛr fɪˈdeːlɪs

It has been the official motto of the U.S. Marine Corps since 1883 by Colonel Charles McCawley; usually shortened to Semper Fi.

It reflects the bond, loyalty, and courage of Marines in battle and in service to the nation. That Marines have lived up to this motto is proved by the fact that there has never been a mutiny, or even the thought of one. 

It is also in use as a motto for towns, families, schools, and other military units.

The earliest definitively recorded use of semper fidelis is as the motto of the French town of Abbeville since 1369. It has also been used by other towns, and is recorded as the motto of various European families since the 16th century, and possibly since the 13th century or earlier. Records show many families in England, France and Ireland using this motto.

Most well known in the USA and represents the loyalty and collective commitment of Marines to their country and mission and to the success of battles, and the steadfast loyalty to each other and to the battles ahead. This motto distinguishes the bond developed and shared between Marines, it goes beyond words that are spoken, as it is a warriorhood that is lived.

It is the fighting spirit of every Marine that can make the promise to win a Nation’s battles. This promise is proclaimed in the motto, Semper Fidelis, and it means that they are always faithful to those on their left and right and to those in the communities for which they fight. It’s meant to signify the dedication and loyalty that Marines have for their country and fellow Marines, even after they become veterans.

Semper Fidelis is used as a greeting, a motivation, and an expression that unites past and present Marines. During war or peacetime, Semper Fidelis speaks volumes. It represents tradition and responsibility—beginning the moment a young man or woman commits to earning the title of U.S. Marine. It is a mindset, it is a perspective, a mentality, an attitude. It is a term spoken one to another for encouragement and comaraderie.

Most military personnel will know the meaning of semper fi, however, it is not exclusive to the Marine Corps The earliest recorded use of semper fidelis by a military unit is by the Duke of Beaufort’s Regiment of Foot, raised in south-western England in 1685. This is apparently linked to its use as a motto by the city of Exeter no later than 1660. Subsequently, a variety of military organizations adopted the motto. This phrase was used in Europe, at least in Great Britain, Ireland and France and probably in other countries as well. 

Another term is

no one left behind.

This is a military understanding between soldiers whose job it is to fight on behalf of those who cannot, or are unable; and to maintain the freedom we enjoy from foreign oppression and rule. Let us all pray for and remember the cost, the price all soldiers pay, many with their lives, to maintain that freedom. 

 

There are many references to soldiers throughout the Scriptures describing the good fight of faith. 1Tim.6:12.

Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2Timothy 3-5

And of course Ephesians 6 and 2Cor.10:4 describing the weapons of our warfare which is first of all spiritual in nature. Armies and troops fight as a unified group. A force connected by mutual goals and the mental fortitude to endure and to have one another’s backs. If there should be a man down there is an immediate intervention to support that individual in their time of need. Faithful, trustworthy, courageous team members, do not hesitate to put their own lives in harms way to prevent anothers’ life being lost. Or to intervene and reduce the extent of physical injury and the commitment to leave no one behind.

These soldiers become close under conflict and form bonds of loyalty, often as strong or stronger, that natural family ties.

Semper fi – always faithful to each other and to the cause for which they are willing to lay down their lives.

As believers we are charged to endure hardships as good soldiers

We are soldiers of the lion of the tribe of Judah.

We all called to fight the good fight of faith and to be a band of brothers and sisters who stand unified, with one goal, to fulfill the call on our lives.

This call is one of reconciliation, one of carrying the gospel of that good news to the ends of the earth.

That promise of forgiveness of sins, the good news of a Savior Who died that we might live, and the One who is

always faithful – semper fi.

He willingly laid down His life for us, and there are countless thousands who have also paid the ultimate price on the behalf of others. They did this for the freedoms we often take for granted and think it is our right to live as we please with a selfish attitude of entitlement; believing that we can have what ever we want and that somehow we are owed and deserve the best of Life.

Because of a merciful Heavenly Father, we are saved by grace/chen through faith; a measure of which each of us has been given. Romans 12:3

The measure of faith is a gift from YHVH.

Galatians 3:22, Galatians 5:22.

It is a small thing for us to be semper fi, always faithful to the One Who has called us out of darkness into His wonderful light, 1Peter 2:9, and to stand together, united, to enforce the victory over darkness, sin and death.

We are to occupy until He comes. Luke 19:13

To be semper fi, always faithful to His cause and to our fellow believers.

Are we truly willing to lay down our lives for others? How much more should we be faithful to the members of His Body?

1 Thess. 5:24 Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you…

Right now there is a rallying cry for all those who identify as His, to rise up and be all that we are called to be.

Honor and duty, commitment and submission to authority, with un questioning obedience to directives. We understand these qualities among others are basic requirements of all military personnel.

Are they not also how every believer should be, by everyone who confesses Messiah Jesus/Yeshua to be Savior Lord and King?

Paul was overwhelmed with the sense of his indebtedness to Yeshua/Jesus and he spent his life expressing it. Romans 1:14.

As a believer, our lives, spiritual honor and duty, is to fulfill our debt to Messiah in relation to every unsaved soul. Every bit of our lives that has value, we owe to the redemptive work of Messiah.

Are we doing anything to enable Him to bring His redemptive power into the lives of others?

1Corinthians 6:19–20

We are not our own we were bought with a price.

It’s time we stopped living for ourselves, we are free only that we may be absolute bond servants of His.

Once this level of spiritual honor and duty becomes real, that is the characteristic of a born-again-from-above believers life. It is time we stop praying only about ourselves and instead spend our lives for the sake of others us a bondservant of Yeshua/Jesus.

That is the true meaning of being broken bread and poured out wine, it is the ultimate goal of the One Who is

always faithful, semper fi.

The faithfulness of our Heavenly Father means He is unchanging in His nature, and true to His Word, has promised salvation to His people, and He will keep His promises forever. He is worthy of eternal trust, no matter what, because His character is entirely good and righteous. 

His faithfulness is His reliability, trustworthiness, and consistency in accordance with His character, covenant, Word, salvation, and plan. 

The scriptures below are just a few of the promises to us that we can rely on.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

1 Corinthians 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Hebrews 10:23. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.

2 Thessalonians 3:3. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Lamentations 3:22–23. The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Let us be

Always Faithful, Semper Fidelis 

to our Heavenly Father, Messiah,

to each other, and

to the battles ahead and

commit to leave no one behind.

Shalom shalom

‘Mishpachah’

‘Family/Tribe’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa,

friends, visitors and every reader…

Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His

and are truly born again from above.

Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is

your Redeemer, Savior, Lord

and soon returning King

and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.

NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.

I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus.  Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.