Armor

 

This one might not go over well with everyone, we’ll see. I feel driven to write this, so I ask if you start, read it all. 

Each day I do a reading plan on the Bible app with two other buddies. Today’s really got me thinking, especially about the political state of the world. I don’t identify well with any party. 

I’m not a liberal by any means, but I’m not far right. I’m not a Democrat and I’m not a Republican. I don’t fit into the ideologies with either party. I’m a registered independent, but truth be told, I’d call myself a biblical independent. I believe in the Good Word, the gospel, the Bible and what it teaches me. 

And both political parties have components in them that directly defy what I believe is the truth. Whether it is about greed, self-focus, power, pride, hate or a variety of other not-so-great characteristics. 

Our world today in the US is driven by political views and that makes it hard to escape from these ideologies. It’s everywhere we turn. As people, many are tired and go along. Others pick a side and stand firm, while others are just so overloaded they just don’t care. It’s exhausting in my opinion. 

Almost every side out there seems to have lost touch with God. I know one party makes it sound like they stand with God, but how closely do they really stand to that faith? You can’t trust a politician any more than journalists, social influencers and lawyers (yes there are some good lawyers out there…just making a point). 

For those who are trying to be loyal to their Christian faith, we have to put on an armor of God, which it says in the Bible, because the enemy is coming at us from every direction. Bended truths, light through prisms, slight of hand messages…in many cases things that seem good are not always good. Choosing to be strong in your faith, spending time reading and understanding your faith…this is how to wear that armor. 

Now to be transparent, we are all sinners. I’m not better than anyone. I have plenty of faults. I’m not a poster boy for God by any means. That means even though I disagree with so much, I need to be humble and love even those I completely disagree with. I need to show compassion and acceptance for those who battle their own crosses. 

This message isn’t going to sit well with many. I’m aware of that. I’m not writing it to feel better. I don’t want anyone to hurt, be sad or discouraged. But this world has gone off track and we need to think about where we are going.