Being born again through faith in Jesus Christ brings about a new perspective and identity. We discover the reality of who Jesus is and many blessings afforded us by revelation in the Bible. God's Word says it like it is, whether we feel like it or not. We learn how God created us, loves us, and made a way for salvation through Jesus. The Bible speaks of God's faithfulness and all He has accomplished, and in addition provides commands and directives which by His grace we can obey.
A familiar example is presented in Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus. Ephesians 6:10-13 reads, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." As children of God through faith in Jesus Christ we are recipients of the Holy Spirit. It is through Him we weak vessels are made strong. It is in our weakness God's strength is perfected, wielded through humility, surrender, and obedience to Him. Believers are told to put on the whole armour of God because we face a spiritual adversary. It is God who enables us to stand fast.
Using the analogy of the armour of Roman soldiers, Paul described the spiritual armour God has provided through the Holy Spirit. He spoke of the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the preparation of the Gospel, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God). I have heard people say in teaching this passage that if we do not know each part of the armour, how can we put them on? Answer: the same way love is the fulfilment of the Law. I do not need to know all the 10 Commandments by heart to observe them, for if I love God and others as I ought I will keep them. I believe it is good to know each piece of armour God has provided by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We make a mistake, however, to think that by the virtue of our efforts we can put them on. If we are filled with the Spirit and walking in obedience to God's Word, we will be strong in the LORD and stand fast.
In no way do I want to trample the discipline many employ to "pray on" each part of the armour of God at the start of the day. It is a good reminder of the reality of spiritual opposition we will face and the protection God has provided for us as His enlisted soldiers. At the same time I believe when we are filled with and yielded to the Holy Spirit of God we have our "armour on." There is nowhere in scripture we are ever told to remove our armour, and therefore no daily necessity to put it on (when you have kept it on). Inspection of armour and weapons is important in every conflict, though. We can know for certain when we are not walking in the Spirit (or in other words - facing a spiritual battle without spiritual armour) because we will be given over to fear, lies, deceit, worries, and cares. The fiery darts will hit their mark and we find we are over-sensitive, quick-tempered, easily tempted, and resentful. We can know our armour is in place when we have real reasons to be vengeful but are gracious and kind. We once would have justified being angry but instead discover comfort in prayer, and we could easily be preoccupied but experience the joy and peace of God.
The multi-faceted armour of God and soldier picture is only one of the many ways a Christian relates to God. We are not just soldiers but sheep of His pasture, ambassadors of His kingdom, fellow oxen sharing the yoke of Christ, and God's dear children. Believers are compared to individual parts of a body whose head is Christ, and the church is compared to a chaste bride being prepared for the Bridegroom. When we are filled with the Spirit and rely upon Jesus, walking in obedience to the scripture, we will be equipped for every good work. This includes being strong in the LORD and in the power of His might. Praise the LORD for His goodness and strength provided for us all!
A familiar example is presented in Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus. Ephesians 6:10-13 reads, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." As children of God through faith in Jesus Christ we are recipients of the Holy Spirit. It is through Him we weak vessels are made strong. It is in our weakness God's strength is perfected, wielded through humility, surrender, and obedience to Him. Believers are told to put on the whole armour of God because we face a spiritual adversary. It is God who enables us to stand fast.
Using the analogy of the armour of Roman soldiers, Paul described the spiritual armour God has provided through the Holy Spirit. He spoke of the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the preparation of the Gospel, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God). I have heard people say in teaching this passage that if we do not know each part of the armour, how can we put them on? Answer: the same way love is the fulfilment of the Law. I do not need to know all the 10 Commandments by heart to observe them, for if I love God and others as I ought I will keep them. I believe it is good to know each piece of armour God has provided by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We make a mistake, however, to think that by the virtue of our efforts we can put them on. If we are filled with the Spirit and walking in obedience to God's Word, we will be strong in the LORD and stand fast.
In no way do I want to trample the discipline many employ to "pray on" each part of the armour of God at the start of the day. It is a good reminder of the reality of spiritual opposition we will face and the protection God has provided for us as His enlisted soldiers. At the same time I believe when we are filled with and yielded to the Holy Spirit of God we have our "armour on." There is nowhere in scripture we are ever told to remove our armour, and therefore no daily necessity to put it on (when you have kept it on). Inspection of armour and weapons is important in every conflict, though. We can know for certain when we are not walking in the Spirit (or in other words - facing a spiritual battle without spiritual armour) because we will be given over to fear, lies, deceit, worries, and cares. The fiery darts will hit their mark and we find we are over-sensitive, quick-tempered, easily tempted, and resentful. We can know our armour is in place when we have real reasons to be vengeful but are gracious and kind. We once would have justified being angry but instead discover comfort in prayer, and we could easily be preoccupied but experience the joy and peace of God.
The multi-faceted armour of God and soldier picture is only one of the many ways a Christian relates to God. We are not just soldiers but sheep of His pasture, ambassadors of His kingdom, fellow oxen sharing the yoke of Christ, and God's dear children. Believers are compared to individual parts of a body whose head is Christ, and the church is compared to a chaste bride being prepared for the Bridegroom. When we are filled with the Spirit and rely upon Jesus, walking in obedience to the scripture, we will be equipped for every good work. This includes being strong in the LORD and in the power of His might. Praise the LORD for His goodness and strength provided for us all!
No comments:
Post a Comment
To uphold the integrity of this site, no comments with links for advertising will be posted. No ads here! :)