Like It or Not, We’re at War – Dress Accordingly

Some weeks ago, I wrote about our common preoccupation with outward appearances. Statements such as “dress for success” and “clothes make the man” have reflected efforts to ensure making the best visual impressions. I pointed out, however, that such things are irrelevant in God’s point of view. As the apostle Paul wrote, “God does not judge by eternal appearance” (Galatians 2:6).

 

But there are times when clothing choices are designed not for visible impact but for something more practical – protection. For example, workers on construction sites wear hardhats. Firefighters wear special head gear, boots and outerwear. Soldiers in battle wear helmets and other protective equipment. And police officers are issued bulletproof vests to protect in the event of gunfire.

 

Whenever we’re engaged in pursuits that pose physical danger, it’s wise to wear protective clothes. But what about the spiritual danger we confront every day?

  

For followers of Jesus Christ, there’s a different form of attire intended to protect as we engage in the unseen spiritual war all around us. Ephesians 6:10-11 calls it “the full armor of God.” Whether we want to admit it or not – and often we don’t – we’re at war against a devious enemy and should be wary of his strategies.

 

Jesus Himself had to face opposition from Satan, and many times referred to the master of evil. The Lord described him this way in John 10:10, “The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy….” Jesus quickly offered the contrast when He added, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 

 

Elsewhere in the New Testament, we find this warning: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Sounds like it would be wise not only to be aware, but also to safeguard ourselves from evil onslaughts.

 

In the early 1980s, several Christian denominations openly expressed a desire to remove the beloved hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers,” from their hymnbooks. Another hymn facing similar opposition was “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Detractors claimed the ‘militaristic overtones’ of these hymns were unacceptable for peaceful worship.

 

However, the Scriptures offer no such misgivings. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, the apostle Paul urged his protégé to “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer.”

 

This is one reason Paul provided imagery of the aforementioned “full armor of God.” He wrote:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

 

The apostle proceeded to describe elements of this spiritual armor: “the belt of truth…breastplate of righteousness…the gospel of peace…shield of faith…helmet of salvation…sword of the Spirit (the word of God)” and prayer. 

 

Undergirding this admonition is a reminder that in ourselves – our own power – we’re unable to ward off evil advances. However, being “strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” we can emerge victorious, not only surviving but also thriving as we persevere in our walk with the Lord.

 

Even though the United States was founded within a context of Judeo-Christian principles, people of faith are encountering opposition unprecedented in the history of our nation. Although written nearly 2,000 years ago, words from the opening chapter of the book of Romans aptly describe where we are today: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator…” (Romans 1:25).

 

And there’s no sign of things getting better. So, as we strive to remain faithful and strong in living for Christ, we’d be wise to conscientiously don the full armor of God as part of our daily “wardrobe.” 

Following Jesus – Not a Leisurely Pursuit

True story: Some guy bought a motorhome for traveling across the USA. At some point during his trip, the fellow put the vehicle in cruise control – and then proceeded to walk toward the back to visit the bathroom. While it was still moving! Predictably, a wreck soon ensued, although he somehow survived his own stupidity.

A fruitful life can't be operated by cruise control.

While some of us are waiting with bated breath for driverless cars to become the standard (or maybe, with bad breath?), for now cruise control means we can take our foot off the gas pedal, but still must steer and use the brake whenever necessary.

I mention this because I’ve observed people that seem to have hit the “cruise control” button for their spiritual life. We read Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Then, for confirmation, we read a passage like Titus 3:5, “he saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of his mercy….” It’s easy to conclude, “It’s all done. God’s taken care of everything, so it’s smooth sailing from here on.”

Yes, believers in Christ are saved by faith, recipients of His love, mercy and grace. None of which is earned or deserved. But that’s no rationale for taking our shoes off, leaning back in our spiritual recliners, and spending out the rest of our lives clicking a spiritual remote control. If we look seriously at the Scriptures, we find the so-called “Christian life” anything but a leisurely pursuit.

We get a clear sense of this when we read the apostle Paul’s admonitions to his protégé, Timothy. For instance, Paul writes to young Tim, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if any one competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops” (2 Timothy 3:3-6).

Think about these examples Paul cites. When was the last time you saw a soldier casually swaying back and forth in a hammock? Any athlete serious about his or her sport devotes countless hours to training, expending sweat – and sometimes, blood – to ensure victory when it’s time for competition. And farmers don’t just dream about growing lots of corn, soy beans, watermelons or whatever crop they have in mind. Much of the year is spent preparing the ground, sowing seed, and nurturing the crop, all for one day reaping a bountiful harvest.

We can’t excel, as a soldier, athlete, farmer – or teacher, business owner, scientist, law enforcement officer, or salesperson – without hard work and determination. In a similar way, God doesn’t intend for His children to don T-shirts declaring, “Once saved, always saved,” and then cruise through the remainder of their lives.

If you’re not certain about that, consider what else Paul wrote to Timothy: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Paul specifically calls Timothy “a workman.” It’s as if he’s saying, “There’s no place for slackers in the kingdom of God.” For this reason the apostle wrote, to a different audience, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).

It’s clear Jesus’ followers don’t work for their salvation. The recent observance of the 500^th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation affirmed that. But a desire to work and to serve, being committed to participating in the advancement of God’s purposes on earth, is a natural – and necessary – byproduct of His transformational work in our lives.

This is why another apostle, James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-17).

It’s a worthwhile question to ask ourselves: Have I put my spiritual life on cruise control? If I have, it’s probably time to put my foot back on the gas.