God’s Uniform Part 1

  In the last post we talked about the Armor of God and why it is important to “wear” it.   We also looked at how our demeanor changes the longer we are out of uniform.  Today I want to get a little more in depth about the individual pieces of the armor and try to understand the meaning behind the word picture.  Lets look at the verses again.

¹⁰Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. ¹¹Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. ¹²We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. ¹³So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. ¹⁵Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. ¹⁶Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.

¹⁸Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people.   Ephesians 6:10-18  (Contemporary English Version)

   Let’s look at each piece.

The Belt of Truth-  

     Verse 14 starts out talking about the belt of truth.  The belt of a soldier holds his armor in place.  It keeps it secure.  Truth is the foundation of everything.  If a persons life is based on lies and deception they will certainly not be able to stand in the face of opposition.  How many larger than life Christian leaders have become failures because of a lack of truth in their lives?  Every sin starts with a lie.  It may be a lie to someone else or a lie to yourself but it is always a form of deception.  The strong Christ-Follower must live in truth.  Not only the truth of the Good News of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins but truth in general.  Every lie demands more lies to conceal the truth.  Without truth all the rest of the armor is useless.

The Breastplate of Righteousness–

  Verse 14 continues with the next piece of Armor, the Armor of God’s Justice.  Other versions of the Bible translate this as a Breastplate of Righteousness.  The breastplate covers and protects the vital organs.  A wound to the arm or leg may not cause death but a wound to a heart or lung is serious indeed.  If we are found without fault or righteous no one can accuse us unless it is false accusations.  Our reputation will remain intact and a Christ-Followers reputation is of ultimate importance in regards to non-Christ-Followers.  How many people that did not believe in Jesus strengthened their disbelief when Ted Haggard failed as a righteous person?  How many people that were close to choosing Jesus chose not to follow Him when he failed?  How many times has my sin caused people to turn from God instead of toward Him?  How many have you turned away?  Righteousness is not being right all the time it is doing the right thing in every situation.  Without righteousness your vital organs are exposed, your integrity, your witness (the Jesus you show to others) and your reputation.

The Shoes of the Gospel–

  Verse 15 talks about our feet.  A soldiers balance is in his feet.  If your little toe is missing your balance is off.  The ability to maneuver is gone.  Good shoes give good traction.  Good traction helps you move faster and be more sure of yourself.  The Gospel (Good News of Jesus) give us stability and traction.  It is our cause, our battle cry.  It is the banner that flies assuring us that we are fighting for something worth living for.  The Good News is that Jesus died for our sins and His death and resurrection (beating death) allow our relationship with God to be restored.  Our sin has separated us from God, Jesus’ sacrifice bridges that separation through the forgiveness of our sins.  But only if we ask for that forgiveness and want that relationship restored.  Our message is this, God loved us so much He sent His Son Jesus to die for us so that if we would just believe in Him and accept that free gift we would have eternal life in Heaven with Him.  That Good News should be the Red Bull of our Armor, it should give us wings.  We should be sprinting to anyone that needs God’s love and telling them exactly how to find it- through Jesus.

  Next post we will look at the remaining pieces.  See you then.

 

 

 

Uniform of the Day

  The other day I was in Wal-Mart. (I know, big surprise)  While I was at the register a gentleman came up behind me and asked if I was in the military.  I said yes and then asked him why he asked.  I expected him to point out my haircut or freshly shaved face.  But instead he said, “You stand like a military person.”  My first thought was, “Huh?”  I know, pretty profound.  I said goodbye and was on my way.  Later I asked my wife if I stood like I’m in the military.  Her response, “For the first day you are home you do but by Sunday you are back to normal.”  I asked her to clarify.  She said I stood straighter for the first day or so, with my shoulders back and my chest out.  (A little background- I am in the Florida Air National Guard and I am doing temp Active Duty.  I only get to see my wife and kids every other weekend, I live in a hotel room 5 hours away the rest of the time.)

  This got me to thinking.  I wear the my uniform for two weeks and then I take it off to come home.  But even with it off I am still in that mindset for a day or so.  In uniform I am representing my unit and my branch of the military and by extension the United States of America.  I am proud to wear a soldiers uniform.  I stand for something.  I stand for the core values of the US Air Force

Integrity First,

Service Before Self,

Excellence in All We Do.

And here is the Airmen’s Creed

The Airman’s Creed

This is the Airman’s promise to country and colleagues.

I AM AN AMERICAN AIRMAN.
I AM A WARRIOR.
I HAVE ANSWERED MY NATION’S CALL.

I AM AN AMERICAN AIRMAN.
MY MISSION IS TO FLY, FIGHT, AND WIN.
I AM FAITHFUL TO A PROUD HERITAGE,
A TRADITION OF HONOR,
AND A LEGACY OF VALOR.

I AM AN AMERICAN AIRMAN,
GUARDIAN OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE,
MY NATION’S SWORD AND SHIELD,
ITS SENTRY AND AVENGER.
I DEFEND MY COUNTRY WITH MY LIFE.

I AM AN AMERICAN AIRMAN:
WINGMAN, LEADER, WARRIOR.
I WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AIRMAN BEHIND,
I WILL NEVER FALTER,
AND I WILL NOT FAIL.

  These are the beliefs and ideals I stand upon while in uniform.  But they have permeated me to the point to where even when I am not in uniform I still hold myself to these values and this creed.  I still walk, talk, and stand military, at least for a few days.  Then I begin to slouch.  Maybe I don’t say “Sir” or “Ma’am” as much.  Maybe I am not as respectful as I should be.  The effect wears off.

  As a Christ-Follower we also have a uniform.  Only the Bible calls it the Armor of God.

¹⁰Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. ¹¹Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. ¹²We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. ¹³So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. ¹⁵Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. ¹⁶Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.

¹⁸Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people.   Ephesians 6:10-18  (Contemporary English Version)

  And like a soldier, the more you wear your spiritual armor the more you act like the core values and the creed of who you represent.  In this case, Jesus.  The armor is symbolic obviously.  I mean, you’d look pretty ridiculous going to a board meeting with a metal helmet, breastplate, shield and large sword instead of a suit on.  It’s the meaning behind each object that is what matters.  Over the next few days we will be looking at each piece and what it actually is referring to.

  The problem with armor though is that it can be taken off and just like how my military bearing began to fade after a few days so to will your Godly Bearing.  It is important to “put on” your armor daily.

Remember- A naked warrior is a dead warrior.

 

Verse of the Day

2 Thessalonians 3:3“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) NIV. All Rights Reserved.