Color Guard: typically refers to a detachment of soldiers assigned to the protection of regimental colors (AKA, the flag). It’s the duty of a selected soldier to carry “the colors,” while being guarded by experienced soldiers. The job is simple: protect the flag.
Throughout history, as armies trained they began to adopt different formations to serve in some capacity during war. In the chaos of battle, or dust and smoke on a battlefield, soldiers needed to be able to determine where their regiment was. If the soldiers couldn’t find their way to a rally point, they could find themselves fighting alone.
The colors needed to be able to be seen at all times, because this meant they were still in the fight. Similarly, as Christians, we need to be sure that our flag can always be seen in spite of the chaos Satan attempts to bring to the battlefront.
It’s interesting that Paul highlights one of the elements of Satan’s strategies in battle to cause us to lose sight of our “colors.” He says in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, referring to the man they had corrected from 1 Corinthians 5, “…forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ's authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.”
Jesus had told the apostles in Matthew 16:13-19, while in Caesarea-Philippi, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” But Jesus wanted to know if they knew who He was, what flag were they holding up for the world to see, so He asked them, “But who do you say I am?” It was Peter’s reply that indicated he recognized “the colors.” He said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
It took an entire earthly ministry with Christ before they would truly understand what His flag was really about. As they argued over who would be the greatest in His kingdom, and as they were concerned with how Jesus would fulfill his age-old promise of salvation, it was critical that they realized where to rally when the battle was on.
Jesus told them, “You’re blessed because you realized this from watching me, not from the teaching of man. It’s that confession that will be the solid rock you’ll need when all the powers of Satan will come crashing against you. But trust in me, the Messiah, and Satan cannot defeat you…” (paraphrased)
Yet Paul explains how Satan uses internal division and conflict to try to defeat the Lord’s army. Many times people reject church because they see the chaos of battle right within the walls of a place that claims to be a safe haven of rest. The spirit of a congregation, much like the colors of a flag, should represent Christ and all his examples. Doctrine is important, but doctrine cannot contradict the simple message that should always point to Jesus Christ. Peter recognized it, Jesus encouraged it, and we must follow it. Jesus said that fulfilling the greatest commandment would sum up all other commands – Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind (100%), and to do that you must love your neighbor as yourself. Let’s model Christianity well so that others will see our churches as a rally point during battle.
No comments:
Post a Comment