As a child, I played war games with my friends throughout the summer. The weaponry varied, of course, but when we were in a mood for ancient warfare the helmets and plastic guns were put away in favor of swords, bucklers, and shields. Not many of us had plastic swords or bucklers, but we found that the lids of aluminum trash cans and sticks sufficed as shields and swords. Of course, our mothers were always worried about children poking each other with sticks and we heard that famous warning every child has heard: "You could put an eye out with that." Either we were sedate warriors or skilled swordsmen, because nothing was hurt by our play except feelings. I rather think it was the former; we were just polite warriors.

The aluminum trash can lid made a noble shield, because it was light, could be managed by the handle, and made a great sound when struck by a stick. Lots of Monty Python-esque grunting, groaning, and banging on the trash can lids provided a wonderful soundtrack for these battles. We quickly found out a shield was a pretty handy piece of defensive equipment. We would not allow ourselves to be separated from that shield. In ancient warfare, infantry troops without shields were in great danger. At the Battle of Delium (424 B.C.), a battle at which the philosopher, Socrates, was in the phalanx, the Athenian wings fled flinging their heavy shields to make their headlong career swifter, but easily became victims to the troops following them, including cavalry, humiliating Athenian military prowess. A soldier without his shield is easy pickings for the enemy.

The Christian without his shield is....no Christian. The shield of the Christian is Christ Himself. Without Christ, "Christian" is just an empty title; a mere name devoid of substance. A Christian without his shield is an easy prey for our enemies: Satan, world, and flesh. Faith grasps this shield and is covered with it, so that Christ's righteousness becomes our own. He is the propitiation for our sin. And though we do not live in sin and it does not have dominion over us because we are in Christ, we are still sinners and that shield of Christ must be our defense at every moment. The battle is not a bit Monty Python-esque. It is deadly serious, because our fell enemies seek our soul's damnation. Spiritual slaughter is the goal of those who seek to defeat our Lord and overthrow His kingdom. We are safe only when covered by Christ the true shield of the church. We cannot be condemned because we belong to Christ. We are safely gathered under the wings of His mercy. Therefore, my salvation is not a quality in me. It is the quality of someone outside of me, Christ my shield. His quality is perfect. And it is outside me and absolute.

Martin Luther