In chapter 29 of The Bridge from OneDayBow, it has come to this: the People of the Book can’t even gather in a Park to proclaim good news! Tim knew they had the right of free assembly. He probably even knew a descent lawyer. In a Court of law, they would take the Mayor and the city to the cleaners! And in all fairness, that could have been the course of action Tim took and the book would have taken an entirely different turn. (Maybe material for a sequel…) Tim really wasn’t interested in a long, drawn-out legal battle, so he rallied the troops for a different kind of battle. And this is what he said:

The belt of Truth around us holds fast against deceit.

The good news keeps us ready, so peace shoes won’t retreat.

The Book is the King’s True Word, able to defeat lies.

We wear the Son’s righteousness, so let’s not compromise.

The helmet of salvation reminds, renews, directs.

The shield of faith we take up links us to Who protects.

And prayer is our life-line of communion with the King.

The equipment from the Son can withstand anything!

Now some may have read Tim’s words and thought that the artillery was a little lacking. Perhaps, as viewed by ordinary citizens of HereAndNow, the equipment could be – would be – considered lame. But the People of the Book are first and foremost residents of the Kingdom of OneDayBow. Their leader is not a deceitful Mayor but a faithful Savior. The King’s Son, Savior, has provided the necessary equipment to engage in a spiritual battle and it is more than adequate for this current conflict.

Over the past months and years we’ve looked at the equipment in detail, and if you aren’t familiar with it please check out prior blog postings. But what I want to look at right now is the stark contrast between the two sides in the way they conduct themselves. (Note the correspondence to the equipment.)

The Mayor deals in lies and intimidation. He uses his energies to promote a false peace, through forced tolerance. He goes by the book of law – when it benefits him. The Mayor is full of pride and thinks he is above questioning, but he really lets the tempters direct his thinking and action. The Mayor obviously depends on self-reliance; he talks a good game about HereAndNow but his primary purpose is found in his personal ambitions.

Truth is the standard of those belonging to the King. They stand ready and willing to take the good news of Savior to all who choose to listen. Their lives are directed by the King’s perfect Word. They know that any good they do is a result of what the Son has done in them and for them, and so they seek to represent Him rightly. The helmet of salvation reminds the People of Who they belong to and serve. Their decision to trust in the Word and will of the King is not a one-time action but an ongoing confidence in His protection and power. The People maintain constant communication with their King because they believe that He hears and will act on their behalf, with a greater purpose always in view.

And so we see two very different purposes. The Mayor’s goal is temporal power and recognition. The People of the Book seek the advancement of an eternal Kingdom and the honor of the King. The contrast couldn’t be more obvious.

What about you?