Conscientious objector is not a term that many of us have probably heard for some time, but it is applicable to what is on my radar right now. To be a conscientious objector is to claim the right to refuse to perform military service on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, or religion. So, when I think of this individual I see someone who does not want to put on the uniform, because in doing so they would be giving the impression that they are suited up for battle, and obviously their stand speaks otherwise.
Yesterday, was the first session for a bible study that I am doing with women in my neighborhood on the ‘Armor of God’. We are focusing on the book of Ephesians, and Paul’s strong admonishment that we understand that we are in a battle. It is not a battle that we engage against flesh and blood, but a far more dangerous unseen adversary. This adversary has but one objective, and that is to see the demise of all who have been created in the image of God. Certainly his targets are Christians, but no one is safe from his destructive ways. He is our enemy, the devil, and Jesus referred to him as Satan.
There is much to be said about this subject of the armor, and our need to put it on daily. It is very important to understand that we are in a battle, a battle that rages, whether we choose to knowledge it or not. We must take a position of not only acknowledgement, but of engagement.
In this battle, we may think that we can be a conscientious objector, and there will not be a backlash, but that will never be the believers best option. By not taking up our weapons of warfare, and fighting with the authority that has been given to us, the casualties in this life will be our own.
The enemy will never be sympathetic to us if we choose to ignore the battle, the battle will rage nonetheless. The wounds that we suffer will cause pain and suffering. Those wounds will be felt in the form of broken relationships, destructive behavior, addictions, disease, and all things that are counter to the blessings of God.
The good news for us as believers is that we know the end of the story. Jesus came that we would have life, and have it more abundantly. He won the battle for all of eternity. For us here on earth we are called to be overcomers, facing this life with courage, and standing firm against the enemy of our soul.
Romans 13:11-12 CSB Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the day is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.