The Shield of Faith

"Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy. ¹⁷ No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me," says the LORD."

Isaiah 54:16-17

In Australia, there are homes that are "heritage-listed," which means they are old homes of cultural and historical interest.  These houses often have unique features from modern dwellings like vaulted ceilings, ornate moulding and carvings, or even quarried stone.  These homes can be expensive to renovate because of the rules and regulations established to ensure the character and appearance of the house is preserved and compliments the original.  "Heritage" in a basic sense suggests it has been inherited--like the ownership of a house is passed down through generations.

A lot of people are still waiting for the benefits of an inheritance given by others.  The inheritance God spoke about through the prophet Isaiah would be received and enjoyed by the Jews during the future millennial reign of their Messiah.  Spiritually speaking, however, this heritage for all who trust in Jesus Christ as LORD is to be received and enjoyed today by all believers.  God promised no weapon formed against His people would prosper, and no accusation brought against them would stick.  Even as God created the blacksmith with his tools and fire to bring forth metal instruments, so God is able to harness and direct Satan to accomplish God's will and redemptive purposes.  We see this in the crucifixion of Jesus.  Had the powers of darkness known how God would use Christ's atoning sacrifice to deliver souls from death to eternal life and spiritual fruitfulness, Satan would never have worked to that end.

In the New Testament, Paul utilised an analogy of a warrior's armour to explain the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.  A Christian is able to "be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might," not by what we try to accomplish in the strength of our flesh, but by Who Jesus is and all He has created us to be in Him.  Paul wrote of an especially vital part of armour provided by the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 6:16, "...above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one."  Notice the shield of faith is able to quench "all the fiery darts" of the wicked one:  no weapon formed against us shall prosper.  There is no flaming arrow Satan can fire at us that can shatter the shield of faith in Jesus that extinguishes them.  Our strength is not our own; our righteousness is not our own.  In Christ by faith in Him we are given strength for the day and righteousness forever by His grace.

Above all we are to take the shield of faith with which we will be able to quench all the fiery darts of Satan.  Just because the shield is impenetrable and we are able does not guarantee a flaming arrow will not at times find the mark.  People with genuine, saving faith are not guaranteed to always walk by faith in Jesus.  Like Samson, a man greatly used by the LORD, we can think to ourselves in folly, "I will arise as at other times," thinking we are sufficient in ourselves to deliver ourselves!  Those who are in Christ ought to live by faith in Christ, and when we take steps of faith in obedience to Christ we are perfectly protected from all spiritual attacks and evil intent.  Job was greatly afflicted by Satan through loss and severe illness; Jesus was crucified and died on Calvary.  Yet Job was brought through the trial like gold refined seven times and doubly blessed, and Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into eternal glory.  I am convinced the greater our faith becomes the shield of faith is lighter and more effectively wielded, for the Holy Spirit helps us in our infirmities.

Senses to Discern

Little children put pretty much everything that comes to hand into their mouths, and as we mature as children of God we ought to learn to discern what is spiritually healthy and good for us and what is not.  Anyone can be infected with pinworms in their intestines, but it is young children who are most susceptible because they often put contaminated food or fingers in their mouth.  Age alone does not equal spiritual maturity, for Hebrews 5:12-14 says:  "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. ¹⁴ But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Over time children in the ancient world were weaned from breastmilk to solid food, and it is important to point out the milk from a mother is not sterile.  From what I have read it is actually a living substance that contains all the necessary nutrients and microbes that promote the health and development of infants, strengthen their immune system and provide a healthy gut.  A time comes when the physical needs of babies and toddlers are met with solid food as they grow up.  Those who are born again by faith in Jesus are to acquire their spiritual nutrition from the word of God that is profitable for babes and those of "full age" alike.  As a baby hungers for milk from his mother or a person hard at work looks forward to a healthy lunch, so Christians are to satisfy their spiritual hunger by God's word they feed upon and put into practice.

It is important God's word provides the acceptable standard for what we will choose to receive.  Just because a book is written by a pastor or a worship song is sung by a well-known Christian artist, it does not follow it is guaranteed to be biblically sound.  As we grow older we learn to put the food we plan to eat to simple tests like how it looks, if it smells off or if there is something moving in it that should not be.  Sometimes we are not quite sure if the milk is fine or if leftovers are safe to eat, and in most cases it is good to be cautious to avoid what will make us sick or not agree with us.  Recently I bought an album by a Christian band that I have enjoyed very much, however there is a line I refuse to receive.  Just because lyrics rhyme or are catchy does not mean they are all true and accurate according to scripture.

As followers of Jesus, we must be discerning of what we read, sing or assume must be true lest we fall into error.  It is good when we recognise rotten doctrines and heresies before we drink them down, and by reason of use determine wholesome scripture interpretation in fellowship with other Christians.  Better than microbes, we have the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts and guides us into all truth.  He convicts of sin, of righteousness and judgment, helping us to walk in love and grace towards all.  We will never mature beyond our need for guidance, direction and wisdom from God's word, for they are the words of life that promote spiritual growth, health and fruitfulness.

Jesus Makes Things New

"Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

Revelation 21:5

Since we live under the constraints of time on earth, new things can only be temporarily so.  Once we receive or use a thing, it is no longer new.  The moment a "new" car is driven off the lot, it becomes "pre-owned" and typically loses thousands of dollars of value.  The smell of a new car dissipates over time, and what is new always grows old.  A new thing may become old to us before very long when it does not meet our expectations.  A new job can quickly become monotonous and dull.  A new haircut or hair colour may never look as good as it did on the first day.

Jesus says to us in Revelation 21:5 that He makes all things new.  Hebrews 10:20 tells us Jesus Christ has made a new and living way for us to approach God in relationship by what He accomplished through His atoning death on Calvary, and we can boldly draw near to Him with a clean conscience by faith in Jesus.  Our thoughts of heaven and present spiritual realities can be difficult to grasp because our perspective can be hampered by our experience on earth where things quickly grow old.  We cannot imagine something that is new that remains new.  Our excitement ought never wane over the new heavens and new earth God will fashion, the new and living way God has made for us to approach Him in holiness by faith, and concerning what 2 Corinthians 5:17 says truly:  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  Because we are new creations by faith in Jesus, the "same old same old" is miraculously new without ever growing old.

Just yesterday I considered the passage in Ephesians 2:14-17:  "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near."  Jesus came to seek and save the lost, Jews and Gentiles alike, creating in Himself one new man from the two--joining us together as one in the Body of Christ the church.  We might see the church as an ancient institution, but the reality is the church is as new as His mercies which are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).  The new body of believers and the new heart He has given us by His grace is a delight and not a drudgery.

This newness of life for the Christian was foreshadowed in God's promise to His people in Ezekiel 36:26-27:  "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."  Because we live in a body of flesh influenced by all sorts of things that are not God, it is possible for what God makes new to feel old.  This can happen when we look for satisfaction in experiences, accomplishments or acquiring things when it is found in God alone.  The remarkable thing is when we realise everything under the sun is meaningless, it draws us to God to discover the satisfaction, purpose and rest in our LORD Jesus.  Once what is passing away is put in the proper place and perspective as God's gracious gift, and we discover gratitude and joy before God in even little things.  Our God who makes us and all things new by the Gospel sanctifies a whole new way of life that is fulfilling, satisfying and delightful in His presence.

Somebody God Loves

"So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him." ⁷ But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."\

1 Samuel 16:6-7

When the prophet Samuel saw the eldest son of Jesse, based on his height and regal bearing he assumed Eliab was God's choice to be king over Israel.  God corrected Samuel's error of judgment, for the LORD God does not see as man does.  People can labour to carefully craft an attractive image to impress others that is not indicative of the corruption, deceit and pride tucked away in their own hearts.  Thankfully God sees the character and knows the thoughts of a person, and in His wisdom refuses those who walk in pride--even people who make the impression of being worthy of royalty.

The other day I had the opportunity to see judging by appearances play out firsthand.  I was taking care of some janitorial duties at church when a couple of women in business attire strode in to provide information about a local business with a new location in the area.  They asked if there was anyone they could speak about on the matter, and as I leaned on the mop handle I told them that would be me.  I listened to their brief spiel, received pamphlets from them, and told them my name upon request.  I must not have met their expectation of a person with an administrative and pastoral role in the fellowship, for they later sent an email to our administrator that said something like, "We dropped by today but there was no one there to speak to."  It sounds like they were a bit the prophet Samuel, for I was judged by my appearance to be a nobody.  The difference between them and Samuel is they were correct! :)

As I was judged by my appearance, I too can do the same.  Therefore I must be on my guard to not assume anything demeaning about those who venture into the church building, attend a service, in the shops or on the street.  I ought to see everyone as someone God loves and extend His love to them.  Though I do not share the office of John the Baptist as a prophet, I agree with his sentiment shared with his disciples concerning Jesus Christ:  "He must increase, but I must decrease."  I do not need to be someone of note to point people to Jesus.  But this will likely not happen if I do not say or do anything intentionally towards that end.  Disciples of Jesus are not made in isolation or silence but by joining together with others in loving fellowship by God's grace.  This requires more than "being available" but being proactive to live a life in pursuit of Jesus, encouraging and exhorting others to join with us to glorify and serve Him in obedience.

Questions we could consider in light of God's revelation to Samuel are:  when the LORD God looks upon my heart, what does He see?  Does He see someone who wants the preeminence?  Does He see someone who shies away from embracing the role He has called me to in the body of Christ?  Is there anything within us that would cause God to refuse to anoint us?  Am I someone who places more stock in our own appearance or the appearance of others that blinds us to God's perspective and insight?  Am I seeing people as God sees them or as a man sees?  Why?  The resurrected Jesus was thought by Mary at first to be the gardener, but when He said her name she saw Him for Who He was.  The Pharisees knew the disciples were unlearned Galileans, yet when they were bold in their witness for Jesus they realised they had been with Him.  Though we be nobodies in this world, by our love, words and deeds may everyone we encounter realise the Spirit of Christ is in us.