Are You in Uniform Christian Soldier?

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Right. Wrong. 

Righteousness. Sin. 

On our own, we will never naturally choose right over wrong every time. If we had been made this way, God would not have given the law. 

Just think about the ten commandments. They are a list of things we should choose. We should choose God, we should choose honor, we should choose others first. We should choose to love, we should choose life. We should choose integrity. 

Yet somehow, we always miss the mark. Missing it by a millimeter or missing it by a kilometer: it does not matter because we still miss it. 

On our own we were lost and God provided a way for us to return home: to Him. That way is Jesus. Through Jesus we have free access to the Father. Where once we were so wrong, in Christ we are made right once more.  

Now that we are His, we are in Christ we should live in that right standing with God. We should strive to live and breathe and have our being be an example of God's redeeming power to the world. 

Get in Uniform

One way we do this is by wearing the armor of God: the uniform of a Christian.  

Everyone recognizes a uniform. It sets the normal everyday citizen apart from the ones who are willing to lay down their lives for others. 

Think about that. 

By wearing the armor of God you are identified as a Christian (in Christ), and that identity tells the world you should be ready to lay your life down for them. 

The Breastplate (aka Kevlar) of Righteousness 

The Breastplate of Righteousness is like the Kevlar vest that police and soldiers use in the natural. It protects the vital inner being. The heart, the kidneys, the stomach, the liver, and the lungs are protected by a Kevlar vest. The Breastplate of Righteousness is similar. It protects us from the cruel potshots the world can take against us and the "bullets" the devil fires our way. 

It also is a visible sign that we have the protection of the Lord working in our lives. It is a sign to the world that the redeemed of the Lord have benefits they do not. It is not self righteousness that saves, but the righteousness of God in Christ. 

If you are trying to look like a "good" Christian by doing and saying all the "right things" but you are not letting the righteousness of God shine, then you are not in full uniform. The world knows the difference. They should see God's righteousness before they ever see you. 

I know that I have not lived up to this all the time. I have been caught out of uniform many times. I have had to repent and clothe myself once again. 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"  Ephesians 6: 10-18 

The War is Won 

God accomplished the ultimate victory on the cross. Christ said "It is finished." and it is. We are simply the post war occupying force. We are here to remind people that their freedom was provided for. We are here to stand in the gap for them when the enemy crosses the battle lines and attacks unprovoked. We are here to  point the way to freedom for those people who have run back to oppression because that was all they ever knew. They will not know who is who if we are not in uniform. 

Come on Christian Soldier, you are more than just a fighter, you are a beacon of freedom, you are a sign that God still loves, still cares, and still wants to win the hearts of man. We do not point the way by shouting, by picketing  or by bashing, but we point the way by standing, loving, and praying. 

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When you see a soldier in uniform, how does that make you feel? 

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Walk the Talk: Learning to Shut Up

Photo Credit:Creative Commons

Out of frustration we “give people a piece of our minds” or we “let it rip”. The convenience store clerk, the toll booth person, the umpire at your kid’s little league baseball game: no one is safe from your wrath when you feel like you have a point to be made. 

I am so guilty of this. 

Once, in my anger, hurt, and frustration with a pastor, I “let it rip” and told him everything I thought of him and the church staff. 

This was not done in love. It was a shouting match in the foyer of the church that cleared the room except for someone on staff there. 

At the time I felt justified. At the time I felt right. At the time, I felt slightly vindicated. 

I told him! 

In reality I was prideful, haughty, contentious, and just plain wrong. 

There were things that needed to “be fixed” in that church, but it was not my place to say so. 

Want to know why? 

Because I am not the HOLY GHOST! 

That’s right. I am not that still small voice that tells people what to do, where to go or how to change. That is God and it is His job to change people, not mine and not yours. 

I was wrong in what I did. 

Here is scripture to back that up: 

Proverbs 10:12 (Amplified) 

“Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.” 

Proverbs 15:1 (ESV) 

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” 

James 3:13-16 says it plainly: 

“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.” 

For me there are three things I need to think about before I speak up when angry. 

1. Is this a kingdom issue? 
2. Is this me just wanting to be right? 
3. What will my speaking do here? Clear things up or muddy the waters more? 

James says “It is the way you live, not the way you talk that counts”. I understand this is harder than is sounds. 

Holding our tongue takes practice and patience and a soft heart. 

Practice 

When learning something new: try, try, try again. Then, put a little “Umph” into the try and you will get “Triumph”! 

Patience 

Love keeps going, Love cares for others above even themselves, Love doesn't say “I want that”, Love doesn't strut around, Love doesn’t have a big head. Love doesn’t have to be right all the time, say “me first, or fly off the handle. Love doesn't “get even” or get excited when others fail. 

LOVE DOES take delight in the truth, PUTS UP WITH ANYTHING, Trusts God always and has a positive outlook on life and the world around them. Love does not look back, but keeps going to the end. 

I may have written this in plain English, but the bible said it first. 

Soft Heart 

Proverbs 16:23 (KJV) 

“The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.” 

Luke 6:35

“Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts.” 

So ask God to soften your heart. 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10.

So instead of open mouth and insert foot, I want to close mouth and point foot in the direction that love walks in. How about you? 

Have you ever flown off the handle at someone and then had to go back and apologize?