Maybe too quiet.

This week it is all about Ephesians 6:10-20. The armour of God. (Or Armor...if you happen to be North American). You can find any number of blogs and commentaries that will tell you about the various bits of armament and what they are and what they are for and what they represent and what their meaning is, so I am not even going to go there. My struggle with this verse is more in the area of Christan warfare and the concept that any nation is to be some sort of theocracy.

In reading about the current US Presidential campaign, there is so much talk and so much being written about being a 'Christian' nation and about 'Christians' standing against either the incumbent President who obviously wants to undermine the Christian faith and values, or the opponent who is also suspected by some because of his particular religious background. Similar arguments come up from time to time about our 'atheist' Prime Minister here in Australia.  In background you can almost hear the hymns being sung as we are told that a return to 'Christian' values would lead to an economic or moral recovery.  I am still  unclear what 'Christian' values are considering the number of interpretations being applied to that particular phrase at the present. But moving right along...

In so many of the war movies I have seen over the years there has been that moment in the story when things seemed too quiet. You know the one.  The soldiers are all relaxed and sitting around, talking about going home after the war and the one soldier starts talking about how he is going back to his girl and settle down when suddenly a shot rings out and he drops dead, felled by an enemy sniper. Or again, the soldiers sitting back admiring the stars, talking about home, when suddenly their whole world erupts in gunfire and explosions as the enemy forces make a suicidal attempt to overrun their position. One moment everything is quiet, and the next they are fighting for their lives. Sometimes I think that is what the Christian life is like. It's verse 13,  the one which intrigues me today, that hooked me into the memories of these movie moments.

So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.

 Paul talks about putting on the whole armour of God now. But after putting on all that armour he talks about how we should 'resist the enemy's attacks' and 'hold your ground'. No offensive mentioned here. No going after the godless hordes and chasing them down to a bloody end as we enact the judgement of God on them. Nothing about victory or the establishment of some pseudo-Christian government...nation...kingdom.  It's about readiness. It's about resistance against evil. It's about holding ground. It's about standing shoulder to shoulder with Christ to hold the ground that he has already won. It's not about politics and nations. Christ's battle and Christ's victory is against something so much greater than these. Our battle is against spiritual forces in the heavenly realm, the rulers and authorities and cosmic powers. Not earthly politicians and political powers. 

Most certainly exercise your right to vote. Most certainly campaign and speak out for what you believe in, but don't confuse an election or a government or a politician with the real enemy. Always remember that we must be ready to resist and stand our ground even when things seem quiet...maybe too quiet!