Put on the whole armor of God . . . praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:18-20, ESV.
Having commanded believers to put on the armor of God and having described the pieces of that armor, Paul issues a supplementary command: pray. This command to pray simply reinforces the reality that this armor is the armor of God. The fully dressed soldier remains dependent upon God and must continue to bring his requests before the throne of his King. In a personal example, Paul follows the command to pray with a prayer request of his own. He asks the church to pray for one another and for him. Specifically, he requests that they pray that he will remain a bold proclaimer of the gospel and representative of Christ. Paul, himself decked out in divine armor, asks the saints to pray that he will be a bold soldier in the battle for souls. Brothers and sisters, it is not enough to stand against the enemy. We are commissioned soldiers of Christ and our King has sent us on a mission. We are to boldly proclaim the good news that Jesus saves, call people to repentance and faith, and offer them the forgiveness of sins. In other words, we are to make disciples. This is not a mission we can fulfill without the protection and power of God at work for us. So, we put on the armor and we pray for one another. My prayer for you today is the very thing I would ask you to pray for me! Let’s join together in prayer that we will be well-protected by God’s armor and bold on our mission. May God answer our prayer and be glorified in the results. Pastor Don and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God . . . Ephesians 6:17, ESV
Of all of the pieces of the armor of God that Paul describes, there can be little doubt that this is the most well-known: “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” I remember, as a child, competing in Sword Drills where we would see who was the quickest at finding verses in our drill Bibles and who could recite the most verses from memory. I also remember that I did not often, if ever, win. There is a good reason that the church has focused so much attention on this piece of the armor. The sword has a dual purpose. Not only can it be used defensively to fend off the blows of the enemy, but it can also be used offensively to send the enemy running. As the only piece of armor with an offensive use, the church must make ample use of it as she carries out her mission. As we fulfill our commission to “make disciples” of Jesus, we go armed with the Word of God. This is the Word that the Spirit of God inspired. It is the Word the same Spirit will use to “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). The enemy is turned to flight as sinners hear of their sin and, in repentance, turn to Christ for forgiveness and salvation. If nothing else is true of our age, this is: it is time for us to unsheathe our sword and put it to use! May God grant you sword-wielding opportunities today and the courage to wield it! I am praying for you toward that end. Pastor Don . . . take the helmet of salvation . . . Ephesians 16:17a, ESV
In Paul’s catalog of the armor of God, he now comes the helmet of salvation. Paul likely witnessed many such helmets pass by his window while under house arrest. The Roman soldier’s helmet was a single piece of metal lined with leather. A colorful plume on top indicated the soldier’s rank. It was both functional and ornate. Nonetheless, the helmet Paul has in mind is better. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Paul describes this helmet more specifically as the Christian’s “hope of salvation.” There it seems that Paul has our future salvation in mind, the day of our glorification. Here in Ephesians, it seems he is referring to the blessings of salvation which are already ours (forgiveness, freedom from sin, adoption, etc.). Surely, in this age of strife, we are best served when we can stand in the firm knowledge that, by God’s grace, we have been saved, are being saved, and one day will surely be saved. To take up this helmet is to lean on God’s saving grace. It is to live life comforted in the knowledge that Christ, who was utterly sinless, became sin in our place so that we might appear before God as righteous in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). It is to rejoice daily in the truth that while we were still sinners we were loved by God through the sacrifice of His Son (Romans 5:8). I pray that God’s saving grace will be your constant companion today and that you will know peace and joy in Jesus Christ our Lord. Pastor Don In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16, ESV.
The shield to which Paul refers is a large, heavy, oblong shield. It was the soldier’s primary means of defense in battle. By likening this shield to the believer’s faith, Paul reminds us in two ways why this is such an important piece of armor in the battle against our spiritual foe: We need the shield of faith “in all circumstances.” It is all too easy to live our lives as though there is a time when we need to exercise faith and a time when we are simply fine without it. We get a weekly dose of Jesus on Sunday, pray at breakfast, bedtime, and when we get unwelcome news, and we post some Bible verses on social media. And then we live the other 140 or so hours a week as though we can handle life on our own, without Christ. Paul warns us against such foolishness. It is time to live every moment of our lives knowing that, “I need thee every hour, most precious Lord.” The shield of faith is effective against “all the flaming darts of the evil one.” The prophet put it this way to the people of Israel: “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD” (Isaiah 54:17). When we consider Isaiah’s words together with Paul’s, we understand that this promise to the “servants of the LORD” is a promise to those who live by faith. In a day when the devil seems to have a bottomless quiver, we need to walk each moment by faith. What you need in days like this is to continually “Turn your eyes upon Jesus.” May faith be your constant companion today and may all the arrows of the evil one glance off your shield to no effect. Pastor Don Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:14-15
As we continue to consider the armor of God, we have come to the shoes. To be more specific, given the context of Roman armor, we have come to the Roman soldier’s sandal-boot. Max Turner observes that this first-century combat boot “provides preparation or readiness for battle. What soldiers need in a holding battle is the good grip provided by nails driven through the sole, so that the front lines are not sent reeling and slithering by an enemy charge. Paradoxically it is a deep spiritual understanding of the gospel of peace that provides the church with this firm grip that is the ‘preparation’ or ‘readiness’ for the battle Paul has in mind.”[1] So as you consider the boot analogy to gospel readiness, you can see that digging deep into the gospel is what will give you firm footing as you strive to stand against the spiritual forces aligned against you in this fallen world. There are a lot of topics you can study as you dig into your Bible and seek to understand Christian theology. None of them will prepare you as well for living in a world filled with people of darkness as the gospel does. Growing deeper in the knowledge of who Jesus is and what Jesus, by His grace, has done for you will prepare you for the battle. Your journey through life in this evil day may seem treacherous at times and the mainstream philosophies of this world are indeed slippery. Nonetheless, gospel-readiness will give you a firm footing and bring you peace. I pray that this is your experience today. Pastor Don [1] Max Turner, “Ephesians,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Downers Grove: IVP, 1994), 1244. |
From Pastor DonWriting about the Bible and praying that it will be of some good for someone. Archives
June 2021
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