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“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 (NIV)
Why do we wear clothes? Have you ever thought about it? There are two primary reasons we wear clothes – function and fashion. We wear clothes for privacy and to protect us from the elements. Boots, for example, can function to keep our feet from getting hurt, but high heels, tend to be more about fashion!
In chapter 6 of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we have that familiar passage about wearing the full armor of God – the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit. In Sunday school you might have had a lesson about this where you could color and cut out the pieces or armor and paste them on a figure. Fun!
The imagery here is clear. As Christians, we are part of the Lord’s army, going out into the world to do battle against evil. As soldiers of Christ, we must be dressed for battle. In the time of St. Paul, a soldier wouldn’t have had tanks or Humvees to protect them, they were out in the open. Today we might use images like a bullet proof vest, night vision cameras, or a rocket propelled grenade. Different armor, serving the same functions!
In the same way as a soldier, we, as Christians, are called to be dressed for battle. In verse 11, St. Paul says: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” This kind of militaristic imagery isn’t very popular nowadays, but the reality of the battles we face in life is very real. Paul goes on to say in verse 12: “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.”
We can understand the need for the full armor of God and its function in this world, but what about fashion? I recently read a story about Queen Victoria when she ruled in England. She had several daughters who were just like girls today. At school they saw the latest fashions and wanted to wear dresses just like the girls downtown! They begged their mom, who just happened to be the queen of the British Empire, to let them wear clothes like this and their hair like that. The queen stopped them short one day and said to them: “You are the daughters of the Queen, and the Queen’s daughters do not follow fads. They establish fashion!”
That’s a good reminder for us. We are to live in the world, but not to be of the world. We are to be trend-setters and difference-makers for Jesus until the day He comes. Rather than following the world’s ways, we can help bring in the kingdom of God. What does God’s kingdom fashion look like? It is a kingdom of peace, love, and justice! We in the name of Jesus Christ. Doesn’t that look good on you? It sure does. Let’s suit up!
In Christ; Pastor Dan
