1/27/2019
Pick Up Your Banner And Wave It Proudly
There was once this young boy who was sitting on a bench in
a park with his dog when a stranger walked by and stopped. Looking at the boy
and his dog, he asked, What kind of dog is that, young man?
Thinking the man was making fun of his dog, the boy
responded, He’s a genuine police dog, Sir!
Looking at the dog once again, the man said, Police dog? He
sure doesn’t look like a police dog to me.
Of course not, said the young lad. He’s part of an under
cover unit.
There are a lot of folks who profess that they are
Christians but most days it would be hard to spot them out of the crowd. They
may be doing their best to live the Christian life but it isn’t showing in
their actions and in some instances, their lifestyle. There are times when I
can’t help but wonder if some of these folks they are in God’s Under Cover
Unit. They only problem with this concept is that it take a great deal
imagination to biblically justify a spiritual undercover unit. I think if the
truth be told, I don’t think they want anyone to know whom they serve.
Now isn’t that strange since our Christian life begins with
a public confession of faith? A declaration that we willingly repent of our
sins, and choose to follow the Lord. Gods Word makes it clear that If we tell
others that Jesus Christ is our Lord, and really believe in our hearts that God
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9-10 KJV “That if thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
It’s all rather simple, isn’t it? If we say it, according to
Gods Word, we are to do it. On the one hand, its easy to profess Jesus in
church but it is quite different to live as He would have us to live in the
workplace, the gym, the Parent-Teacher meetings, lunches with business
partners, customers, or whomever we don’t see in church on a regular basis. But
Gods Word says, "Set up your banners! Psalm 20:5 “May we shout for joy
over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.”
No one said being a Christian was going to be easy. It’s
easier to conform to what the world would like us Christian’s to be like
instead of what God’s Word says we should be like. It takes courage to be a
Christian. It always has and it always will. BUT, that courage is there for the
asking, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians
4:13
Some folks have seem to have forgotten that when they raise
that “banner”, Jesus is right there with them. Look at our Savior’s own words.
At the end of the gospel of Matthew we find what is often called the “Great
Commission” given by our Lord Himself. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded
you.” NOW CATCH THIS “And behold, I am with
you always, to the end of the age.”
Maybe I should put it this way, Who are you trying to
please. God or man? I pray your answer is God.
When the Word say “confess” that means our Confession and it’s
much more than what Christians say. It is also what a Christian is. Our words
are important but not nearly as significant as what we do - especially when we
think no one is looking. Your Banner should be seen in every aspect of your
life.
Let God take care of what others think of your Banner and
remember that as long as you are waving your Banner properly, Romans 8:31, “If
God is for us who can ever be against us?” I encourage all Christians to pray
to the Holy Spirit daily for more boldness in life to do God’s will.