Modern-Day Knights

The idea of a knight is often discouraged as a romantic notion better suited to Arthurian legends than to our advanced, high-speed age of modernity. However, our conceptions of literary knights are only masking the powerful truth behind the myth: Knights were warriors with a master, a cause, and a firm conviction in what they did.

The most important thing to a knight was his identity. Who you were and, more importantly, who you served were worth more than your wealth, your past, or even your own family. To dishonor your master was worse than death itself. In this same way, all Christians, not just Evangelicals, are bound to their Lord and Master Jesus Christ. To dishonor Him is worse than any death that we could possibly experience.

Luke 12:8-9 - I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.

Secondly, knights had a cause, a purpose that they fought for. In general terms, it was to further their master's kingdom. For Christians, this has multiple facets: evangelism, worship, and fellowship, for instance. Evangelicals really have no problem with those aspects of the fight, but they have a complete lack of participation in the area of intellectualism. This makes them ineffective when the real battles begin because they have no means of strategy, of defense, or any chance of conquering the enemy. In essence, they are fighting in a disorganized manner and will soon succomb to the wiles of the evil one in different ways.

1 Peter 3:15 - But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Finally, knights had a firm conviction in their actions. The half-hearted attempts to dive into the intellectual world have failed miserably. This is, in part, due to the fact that they were unprepared, but mostly can be attributed to their complete lack of fervor.

Romans 12:11 -Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

However, by grabbing hold of our Master's honor, to the furtherance of His Kingdom, and doing so with holy zeal, we have, in essence, become His Kingdom Knights. The Apostle Paul offers a good conclusion:

Ephesians 6:10-18 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.