This past weekend, in a group of friends, we watched a few James Bond movies, while the snow was falling outside.
It was fun to see agent 007 getting involved in all these extreme situations, fighting the bad guys that usually want to control the world.
He goes through fires, avalanches, and car chases; he is shot at numerous times… and all the good stuff.
Bond is assertive, courageous, and bold, as he represents Her Majesty, the Queen of England in these very aggressive environments, controlled by the enemy.
His allegiance is unquestionable.
Last night I was reading in my study Bible the introduction to Philippians, and the commentary states that Paul wrote it during the first time he was in prison in Rome.
I was thinking that Paul went through ship wrecks, snake attacks, stoning, and trials; escaped a city in a basket, went to prison more than once, and suffered all kind of persecution.
Paul was assertive, courageous and bold, as he represented His Majesty, the King of the Universe, in this planet temporarily controlled by the enemy.
His allegiance was unquestionable.
I can almost hear him introducing himself: “Tarsus. Paul of Tarsus” (I know Tarsus is not his last name, but I couldn’t resist).
What if we put ourselves in the picture?
– We are agents of the same master as Paul
– We also are positioned in an environment controlled by the enemy
– We may not be in ship wrecks, or at risk of being stoned, but in a way or another we are being attacked by the enemy (if you are not being attacked, it could be a sign that the enemy is not bothered by your behavior). Maybe your attack is in your family, or health, or work, or relationships.
As Paul went through those situations that God allowed, his faith was growing, he was being an example, and he was being protected, until his mission here was completed.
How are you reacting to your attacks?
We too are asked to be assertive, bold, and courageous.
We are also asked to have unquestionable allegiance to our King.
In His Majesty not Secret Service! For His glory!