The World and the Warriors

The story of the transfiguration is told in 3 Gospels: Matthew 17, Mark 9, and Luke 9. In the story, “Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” The voice of the Lord came over them in a cloud, said, This is My Son, whom I have chosen.” Peter was silenced for putting Moses and Elijah on the same level as Jesus. Before this, Matthew 16 shows Peter, once again, the subject of correction. “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

To paraphrase John 12: The Word of the Father, as commanded by Him to be spoken through the Son, will judge the world. Jesus ate with sinners, let sinners wash his feet, healed them, cast out their demons, taught them in mass, but individually offered little more than “Go and sin no more,” as a guidepost for the lives of the world. But – when it came to his disciples, those who he had chosen to spread the word, he took a more disciplinary tone and vernacular, correcting words and thought. Those chosen to spread that Word were held to a higher standard, corrected in their interpretation of, or reaction to, the Word. As Christ followers we too must hold each other above the world’s morals and goals if we are to bring the word to the world. In the Church, we are all, first and foremost, brothers and sisters in Christ. A priesthood of people…

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, God’s own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Warriors called to Live as free people, yet without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but live at all times as servants of God. Warriors, training to rise above the world and spread the word, with grace and mercy as our safety net, not our sidewalk. Warriors who “have in mind concerns of God,” not “merely human concerns.”

The Body of Christ is the Church. The Church is the people, not the building. The trend: Complacent, Sunday Christians who offer meaningless apologies, sexually harass each other and don’t see it as a problem, and deny their heritage as “a royal priesthood,” called to “display the virtues and perfections” of God. Are you growing and training a Church of warriors, or fostering a social club for people of the world? You’ve been given armor, be a warrior.