Wearing Skinny Jeans to War

Forgive me for pointing out the obvious…

But, skinny jeans aren’t the best attire for going to battle.

And in case you haven't noticed, we're currently at war....and, if you're dressed inappropriately for this, it puts you in the same category as a donkey in pants.

(Ile de Re circa 1930)

And when there’s a war, it’s best to.. "take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing.” Ephesians 6:13

Not only have we not put ON our equipment, but we seem to have forgotten we ever had it in the first place. We’ve left it laying about, discarded in the desert for the enemy to use against us.

And I’m not just talking about what’s going down in Afghanistan.

I’m talking about the battle waging right here. Right now.

I’m not sure when we forgot we were warriors.

Maybe it was the movies depicting Jesus as a wimpy, weak, girly man.

Maybe it was the Christian culture of “not offending” anyone.

But we've taken pacifist (or is it pacifier?) Christianity to a whole new level.

A year ago we sat in our church and heard sermon after sermon on “obeying authority” in the weeks before the city mandated masks in church, prepping the congregation to “obey”.

And so, when the Authorities said “obey” we obeyed.

And when the Authorities said "Close your doors!" we obeyed.

And when the Authorities said "You can't visit the sick, and you certainly can't treat the sick" we obeyed.

Now, I’m hearing of believers who don’t want to accept the “lie” and don’t believe the “lie” is right, but IF the government / authorities / boss / hospital tells them to take it, they will do so.

“Because, we’re to honor authority.” They say.

They quote Romans 13 with ease….“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.”

Yes, indeed.

Nobody wants to be punished!

Punishment is painful. Uncomfortable stuff. Best avoided at all costs.

These days we believers easily forget the pesky stories we used to teach in Sunday school.

Our children definitely don’t need to learn about Daniel, or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

No need to remind the church that it was disobeying the Authorities that landed our brothers before us in the den of lions and the blazing furnace.

Because, according to our current Christian culture, Daniel should have simply followed the rules and quit praying to his God. After all, the King had ruled. And Authority must be obeyed.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego should have bowed to the golden statue like the rest of the good little boys from Israel. (You know they weren’t the ONLY ones take captive…right? They were just the only ones that disobeyed…)

They disobeyed the rules, and indeed they WERE punished. Just like Romans 13 said they would be…

I guess they figured 15 minutes in a fiery furnace for disobeying a measly earthly king was better than an eternity in the fire of hell for disobeying the Laws of the King of Heaven and Earth.

Too harsh?

Sorry about that. I forgot to be sarcastic and funny for a minute there.

But, I can’t seem to find much humor in this.

We are letting our brothers and sisters here and abroad walk into the fiery furnace alone. 

Why?

Because, the “authorities” told us to…

Bow down to the Idol.

Bow down to the President.

Bow down to the General.

Bow down to the Captain.

Bow down to the Boss.

Bow down to the Mandates.

Bow down to the Laws.

Bow down to the Money.

Bow down to the Job.

Bow down to the Pressure.

Bow down.

And we bow….

Why?

Because we honor authority?

Or because we fear man more than we fear God?

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me (Jesus Christ) before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.” Luke 12:4-8

So while the world teaches their children to bow. We’ll be teaching our children what it looks like to disobey the authorities when those authorities go against God.

And when we’re called in front of the authorities for disobeying their laws, their mandates, their instructions, and their creeds, I pray we will be given the grace and the courage to answer like our disobedient brothers before us….

“We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that WE WILL NOT SERVE YOUR GODS OR WORSHIP THE IMAGE OF GOLD YOU HAVE SET UP.”

So, go ahead and heat the fire seven times hotter.

I hear it’s the best way to refine Gold.

And now, for the three of you still reading that I haven’t offended yet….

If you are an EMPLOYER who will NOT bow down and force your employees to accept the “lie” please comment below with your business information.

If you are a BUSINESS refusing to accept the “lie” or force your customers to accept the “lie” comment with your business info so we can support you with our dollars!

If you are an EMPLOYEE who is facing the firing squad for not accepting the “lie” please reach out to these employers if you are willing and able to work.

If you are a brother or sister left behind in the desert, comment below so we can pray for you to stand strong as you go through the fire, and pray for a Warrior will come to your aid.

After all, there were 4 men in the furnace.

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

And you are not alone.

Please, share this post so we can support one another, or these words are just more whistling in the wind.

P.S. If we could, we’d hire every one of you Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s to come work at the Donkey Dairy. But we can't. So, connecting you to employers with cash and courage to disobey with this post is the best we can do.

And, pray.

And in this way, we'll carry one another through the battle ahead.

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load." Galations 6:2-5