The invention of body armor saved many lives in battle.  Soon however, armies developed armor-piercing arrows and weapons.  Today, police departments require their officers to wear protective armor.

Soldiers in Iraq wear protective armor.  They are careful where they

walk to avoid minefields.  

When Christ Jesus takes us into His body through baptism into the faith, He gives us armor to protect us from the schemes of the devil and lures of worldly sin.  The armor of light is His grace and truth, goodness, holiness, and righteousness.

This armor protects us from judgment; it assures us of heaven.  It shields us from the harmful effects of sin, death and the devil.  It shows that we are soldiers of the cross, becoming more like Jesus Christ every day.  Remembering our baptism that we died with Christ and rose with Him to new life, we are to put on Christ each day.

Romans 13:14 says, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”  His armor of light is resilient, powerful, and protective.  It never fails. 

Don’t give up your armor.  Don’t go to a gun fight carrying a pocket knife.  Remember who you are.  The light blinds the darkness.  The darkness does not understand the light.  The light is always one step ahead of the darkness.  It knows how everything turns out.  The light controls the timing.  The light energizes.  Be a photocell.  Absorb the light of Word and Sacrament.  We are defeated when we do not take Word and Sacrament with us into spiritual battle.

The world is in a death spiral of sin and evil.  Our culture is disintegrating.  Our children and families are under spiritual attack from unrestrained immorality and a culture of death and idolatry.

The Bible warns us of these evil times and tells us to be prepared.

The earth will be destroyed by fire to make way for a new heaven and new earth where righteousness will reign.

Romans 13:12 says, “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”  Be careful to walk in the light of Christ’s truth and grace.

Put on the whole armor of light every day (Ephesians 6): the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the Gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (Word of God), and pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication, for all of the saints.

Put on the Armor of Light.  One day you will shine with the glory of the face of Jesus in heaven.  Amen.