Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Ephesians 6:11-12

Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Ephesians 6:11-12

When I was younger I was heavily involved in Full Gospel Churches. These churches would preach all of the time about how we had to put on the Armor of God. The problem with the sermons wasn’t the Armor, the problem was that they made it sound like it was up to us to put it on all by ourselves. They never would preach the glorious Truth that Christ was in us and that He was the One Who was preparing us for all of the battles. 

And when they bring you before the synagogues and the magistrates and the authorities, do not be anxious [beforehand] how you shall reply in defense or what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour and moment what [you] ought to say. Luke 12:11-12

And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf? I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [persistence in] faith on the earth? Luke 18:7-8

And He will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 1 Corinthians 1:8

But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, 2 Corinthians 2:14

So yes the Truth is that we must put on the Armor of our Father, but our peace and joy is that Jesus is the One Who dresses us. Whatever is needed for our success Jesus will accomplish through us. There is nothing that can penetrate or defeat the protection that we have been given. Our Armor will never leave us and it will never forsake us. We cannot help but to win the wrestling match because our advisory has already been defeated. Jesus has overcome and deprived the world of any ability to harm us. 

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Ephesians 6:10



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