“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Prov. 4:18)
What if your armor was visible? What if they could see every aspect of it, and not only clearly see it, but know for a fact who gave it to you, who taught you to use it and who it was that you represent?
And on top of all of that, a glowing brilliance emanated from you, so much so that it was almost impossible for anyone but those who also were clad in the armor of God could look directly at you?
How many would be stricken with fear and how many would seek you out?
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
This is the attitude we are to have constantly, but I fear that many who are truly born-again are more like the line from an old song, “Feeling so confident when no one else is around.”
Danger lays in the knowledge of these truths, pride can cause us to forget temporarily whose armor it actually is, who it is that shines through us, that neither our armor nor that brilliant light are of us. When we witness to others, it is Christ working through us, it is the Holy Spirit guiding us, always for the glory of God, and if we forget that, that light may be dimmed down quite a bit, that armor may not gleam as it once did.
I believe that most people would shy away from us, because it is evident who we serve, and they prefer the darkness, not the light.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)
For some, it may not be until the day of their visitation that they will receive the light, most never will. The fear of God keeps them from understanding or desiring the fear of God.
It would be so much easier if we could easily be known as we are known, if there was no doubt, if we were as brilliant in the light of Christ now as we will be for all eternity. “Do not fear” would be words we would be used to saying many times a day, we would watch them intentionally avert us, we would not need to profess who it is we serve and why, for that light and our armor would be all the proof they would need.
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” (Phil. 2:7)
The glory that will be revealed in us is the glory that our Lord left in heaven, those in the clothing of a King need not announce who they are, it is easily visible.
Would our responsibility to our King be easier or more difficult if we shined brightly with His light in this world? I would say more difficult, for they would run from us, or even worse, bow down before us.
My Friends, we look like them, but only on the outside, what you need to remember is that you are no longer like them, you are no longer of this world, you shine brightly because of Him. And that is the light that you want them to see. You have a lamp filled with oil, a sword, the Word of God, and you offer to those still in the dark both of them.
If all who were crucified with Christ actually believed they had the armor of God on, there would not be one moment of fear in their life again, if they honestly believed without a doubt that the light of Christ shines brightly within them, they would ask Him daily to make that light shine through them.
We are a peculiar people my friends, not of this world any longer, yet still bound by it, ambassadors of the Kingdom of the Most High God prepared for battle in armor personally given to us by Him, a light that can cut through the thickest darkness, even unto their very soul.
Behave yourselves appropriately in these truths, and always in great humility.
