When in battle or hunting for food, camouflage clothing is an asset to a warrior or hunter. It aids you in blending into the world around you, making you indistinct so you don’t draw attention to yourself. In these instances, camouflage is desirable.
In a spiritual sense, when a person lives in the world, desiring to be like the world around them by being politically correct rather than biblically correct, their heart and mind are camouflaged from the truth of the Gospel – from the saving grace of God through Christ Jesus. The Word of God, the Bible, tells us that person is blinded and cannot understand Truth. Should you be surprised, then, at the chaos and confusion in our nation and the world today?
Romans 8:6 (NLT) “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
Warrior, is there life in abortion? Is there peace in rioting?
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NLT) “If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”
The Good News, the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ – the only way to the Father and eternal life – brings freedom and turns hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. It restores life and peace. This Good News needs to shared by our words, choices, and actions.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT) ” But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord – who is the Spirit – make us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
Note that our transformation into Christ’s likeness through the indwelling Holy Spirit is a process. This is where relationship with others who profess Christ as Savior and Lord can become frustrating. We are all at varying places in this process. Perhaps this is why the Apostle Paul instructs us in Colossians 3 to “bear with one another, forgiving each other as the Lord forgave us” and in Philippians 2 “with humility of mind… regard one another as more important than himself.”
We truly need to deny ourselves daily and allow Christ to live through us by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Spirit will give us the right words to speak, when needed, to admonish and encourage fellow believers in their own process of growing into Christ-likeness. The Spirit will also give us words and the boldness to share the Good News to those currently blinded by satan.
The more we choose to yield to Christ, the more the truths in the Word become understood and desired by us – we receive revelation and understanding of the very nature and character of the Lord and of our own identity in Him. The more we WANT to be like Christ. How will that look? For one thing, it will demonstrate love:
John 13:24 (NLT) Jesus tells us “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”
Colossians 3:14 (NLT) “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”
It will be submission to the Father:
John 5:30, 6:38 (NLT) Jesus said, “I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgement is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will... For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.”
It will also testify of the indwelling Holy Spirit:
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Scripture tells us that we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), but also extols us to “do” what God says and not just listen (James 1:22) because faith is dead and useless if it doesn’t produce good works (James 2:17). So, Christ will be displayed by our words and works:
Acts 1:8 (NLT) Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…”
John 14:12-13 (NLT) “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me, will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to the with the Father. You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.”
Our works should look like those of Jesus – teaching, proclaiming the Good News, and healing:
Matthew 4:23-24 (NLT) “Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness… whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed – he healed them all.
Acts 10:38 (NLT) “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
The result of salvation by grace and choosing to grow in Christ-likeness? The joy of eternity with Him!
Galatians 6:8 (NLT) “Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.”
Choose to live to please the Spirit, Warrior of Christ! Don’t live a camouflaged life – be transparently all about Jesus by being Him to those around you through the power of His indwelling Spirit. Be distinct and make a statement for the Kingdom of God!
Raising Warriors 