God’s Great Armour

This is a totally fictional tale that you are actually invited to enter.

Quintus Julius Cicero was born in Rome, around the same time as Jesus. While his mother, Aurelia Verim, laboured with him, his father, Gaius Tullius Cicero, stood outside praying to the gods; to Jupiter for a son, to Juno for protection in childbirth, and also to Mars – that if he did have a son, that he would be a warrior. After Quintus was born healthy and strong, Aurelia and Gaius praised the gods and burned incense, wine, and food as an offering. Quintus continued to grow into a healthy young man, joined the Centuriate Assembly when the time came, and received a hand-picked promotion into the Praetorian Guard. Both Aurelia and Gaius were grateful that their son was chosen to serve Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.

Quintus was proud to be a member of the Praetorian Guard and felt willing to give his life for Nero. He had experienced various assignments and found that he enjoyed the ones that had an element of danger the most. There was during that time a man going from city to city, incensing the Roman hierarchy. He rallied people like no politician could, and wherever he left, there remained a community devoted to sharing what he had taught them.

His name was Saul (known by some as the Apostle Paul), and he had recently been placed under house arrest as an attempt to put a stop to his influence in the Roman territories. This was big news, and Quintus put his hand up for the assignment.

One early morning, before the fog had been lifted by the morning sun, Quintus was woken and told the news that he had been assigned to guard Paul. Quintus could hardly believe this good news. He quickly got dressed in his daily armour, starting with the belt, then securing the breastplate. After lacing up his shoes, he took up his shield and sword, and finally placing the helmet on his head before striding out the door. He then marched to where Paul was held under house arrest.

There he replaced Lucius who had guarded Paul for the first few weeks. As Lucius transferred the chains from his wrist to Quintus’, he introduced Quintus to Paul. Quintus was surprised how much smaller Paul seemed in real life. Paul had a big reputation, but his warm eyes and tone of voice suggested he wasn’t going to be a problem for Quintus.

This was one assignment Quintus was definitely unprepared for. A week after guarding Paul, Quintus was beginning to see that the good news that Paul preached about Jesus, if true and believed, was indeed very good news. He heard how Paul prayed to his God for the Christians, especially those who were being persecuted. He was forced to listen to the conversations and advice Paul gave to those Christian leaders who came to visit Saul in his home-prison. He couldn’t deny that the life these people seemed compelled by their faith to live, was like nothing he had seen before. They were abundantly gracious to one another, laughed together, wept together, and constantly showed kindness to one another.

After two weeks Quintus found himself wanting to believe this good news and one day, he asked Paul if he could join him in prayer. Though unsure of what to say, he found it easy to pray to Paul’s God. A week later, while still chained to Paul, Quintus was baptised, and his life was transformed.

While Quintus remained a member of the Praetorian Guard, he was learning about his new identity in Jesus. Paul taught him that he was now also a member of God’s household, accepted and loved and that God had previously ordained a whole life for Quintus to live to Gods glory – not a day needed to be wasted.  Quintus was encouraged and eager to grow in his new faith. Day by day, he thought of himself more and more as a follower of Jesus than any other identity he had, including a Praetorian Guard.

When Tychicus came to visit Paul from Ephesus, Quintus was there too. He listened carefully to their conversations and enjoyed hearing the stories about the Christians in Ephesus. As Paul began to write his letter to send back to the Ephesians, Quintus was once again overcome by the goodness of God, His grace, love, and mercy in Jesus. Quintus found great encouragement in applying Paul's instructions on how the Church in Ephesus could live for God's glory to his own relationships with his wife and children. This new life in Jesus had a beauty, quality, and power that no other way of life he had ever seen in Rome or from anywhere else could come close to matching.

Amazed by Paul’s letter already, Quintus never expected what happened next. It was very good and ready to finish. Paul looked up at Quintus, as if puzzled, as if he was trying to find the words to say something. Paul wasn’t often puzzled. Then suddenly, while still looking at Quintus, Paul’s face lit up with clarity and he turned back to his letter and wrote;

“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (Paul warmly smiled at Quintus as he wrote this), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and shaving put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times zin the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Eph 6:10-20 ESV

As Quintus heard these words he was deeply encouraged and took them to heart. As a devoted follower of Jesus, and a member of the Praetorian Guard, he took these words sincerely. He continued daily to strength that came from the Lord’s might, and to clothe himself with God’s armour daily, so that he would be ready and equipped for ever scheme of the devil he would face. His transformation was undeniable. The sacrificial love for his wife, the gentle enjoyment of his children, and even his faithfulness at work were noticeable. Kindness and grace seemed to flow out of him. He seemed ready and eager to share the good news of Jesus with others who seemed interested in listening. There was a sense of God’s power at work in his life.

When Paul was taken from under Quintus’ watch, Quintus had a dream that he was bound now to Christ. However, rather than being chains of imprisonment they were chains of love and freedom that bound Christ to Quintus. He lived the rest of his days with the image that he was bound in love to Jesus, and through his faith continued to be transformed into the likeness of Christ.

While this story is entirely fictional, every believer is invited and called by God to put on His armour, and to stand in His strength, together, against the devils’ schemes.

Followers of Jesus are called to be equipped with gifts that come from God (truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, God’s Word, and prayer) to live ready lives, actively standing side by side, for His glory and our good.

So, no matter what challenge you will face, and you will face some clever challenges, God wants to make you strong and ready, alongside your brothers and sisters.