Tentatively, the woman approached the massive wardrobe. Its intricate design work showcased a multitude of dazzling jewels. The words impressive, inspiring, even remarkable fell short of sufficiently describing the workmanship of this majestic creation that now housed an array of colorful gowns — her gowns.
In the far right corner of her vast, new closet, she spotted what looked like armor…several armors. Some silver, others bronze, or gold; they shone with an unearthly brilliance. Who could they belong to? Why were they placed in the midst of her royal attire? Surely, there must be some mistake.
She vaguely remembered reading about “fighting the good fight of faith,” but she’d assumed that statement applied specifically to men who resided in the Kingdom. Her King wouldn’t expect her to battle, or, would He?
Turning away from the wardrobe, she nearly stumbled over a scroll tied with a gold ribbon. Goodness, how could she have missed that? Without hesitation, she eagerly grasped the rolled parchment and hurried to a chair by the fireplace. Hopefully, she’d find the answers she sought. She read…
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV)
As Jesus’ beloved, you have received the following:
- Resources — “All that belongs to the Father is mine…the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you” (John 16:15 NIV)
- Friendship — “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15 NIV)
- Love — “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (John 15:9)
- Joy — “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NIV)
- Glory — “I have given them the glory that you [Father] gave me” (John 17:22 NIV)
- A Risen life — “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. .When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1,4 NIV)
- Inheritance — “If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17 NIV)
- The Right to Reign — “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne” (Revelation 3:21 NIV)
- Protective Armor — “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the whiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10-12 NKJV)
The delicate inscription explained everything. She had indeed become a princess for Christ, but it wasn’t all about frilly ruffles and priceless perfume. No, her new identity involved living like a princess and a warrior, who on occasion might have to lift her royal ruffles to launch a swift kick of truth at a relentless enemy. She had been given a belt, breastplate, special footwear, helmet, and even a sword to use against her King’s sworn enemy. Indeed, the armor she had seen…was hers.
***
When I first accepted Christ as my Savior, I was immediately wrapped in a glorious gown of His grace and seated on spiritual throne next to my beloved King.
Life was good.
My sins had been forgiven and I was flying high on the understanding that I had traded my filthy rags for a heavenly destiny. I’d turned from a pauper to a princess. The old “me” was gone and a new Carol stood ready to reign as Christian royalty. Well, almost.
I excitedly opened myself to God’s Spirit and soon discovered there was a hope-filled future for those of us who believed and belonged to Christ’s family. Wow! This life far exceeded my previous existence of pain, shame, numerous addictions, and chronic hopelessness. God had chosen imperfect me to follow perfect Him…forever.
The first months of my new, royal- reality seemed to dance by like a graceful ballerina. A few spins and stumbles, but no major falls. Then something changed. Something happened. I tripped and fell…hard. Getting up was difficult, and wearing a fluffy tutu in light of my blunders seemed silly at the very least. Standing in a silky gown, while a brutal battle raged around me became increasingly foolish, and incredibly difficult. Although I tried to maintain my perfect princess identity, it was apparent I’d missed some critical information in my previous review of God’s plan of action.
I had been floating along on a cloud of God’s incredible grace, all the while, forgetting there was another pertinent, palace-protocol that I had completely missed — the importance, actually, the complete necessity of God’s powerful truth.
Without a more complete knowledge of God’s Manual for Living, the Holy Bible, I had failed to utilize the armor my King so generously provides for all of His royal subjects. Without the this protective covering, I had left myself wide open for the King’s sworn enemy, Satan, to trip me up, leaving me battered, bruised, and quite frankly bewildered by the ferocity of this feral beast’s attacks. Apparently, this otherworldly creature was none too pleased to have lost yet another one of his former, sinful slaves to Christ’s love.
Thankfully, I discovered sooner, rather than much later, that over my fancy princess attire, I needed to add a Garment of Praise and Prayer and a warrior’s full body armor, including:
· The Belt of Truth
· Breastplate of Righteousness
· Sandals of the Gospel of Peace
· Helmet of Salvation
· Shield of Faith
· Sword of God’s Spirit
I also needed to consume the proper nutrients to remain spiritually and emotionally strong and agile, The Fruit of God’s Spirit… “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law”— (Galatians 5:22 NAS)
By embracing all God has for His Princess Warriors - us - we truly are able to reign real in an often wicked world without succumbing to its tantalizing temptations. We can be totally and completely satisfied with who we are…daughters of the King. There is no better position, is there? After all, anything less leaves us reaching for more.
Join me next month as we continue to discover the joys of reigning real from our thrones as precious princesses and worthy warriors. God bless you until then.
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