STANDING OUR GROUND IN CHRIST JESUS

As I study the armor of God that He has provided for us as soldiers in warfare from Ephesians 6, I take notice that in order for me to remain strong and experience His strength, I must PUT ON the whole armor of God.  The command is the putting on of the WHOLE armor, not just a part that I may want to put on as if I was choosing a certain dress for the day or an accessory for it.  The command suggests a very intentional action on my part to put on the WHOLE armor.  

He is even gracious enough to give us a reason to put on the whole armor...so that we may be able to stand.  We have a marvelous position and inheritance in Christ, and we must be willing to not give ground to the evil one.  We set our feet on that ground, that position provided because we are in relationship with HIM and HIS victory at Calvary and the empty tomb over sin and death.  We are reminded our enemy has an M/O...steal, destroy, and to kill or render ineffectual, inoperative, and wounded emotionally.  We stand our ground in HIM, Christ Jesus, and against him, the evil one!

In verse 13, we are told the second step, to TAKE UP the whole armor being prepared as a soldier to resist or oppose because the evil day is any and every day.  In Romans 8 we have already been declared that we are "more than conquerors" but it is up to you and me to be mindful that we must stand our ground and be prepared to enter the fray.  In fact, Paul reminds us, "having done all", TO STAND FIRM". Verse 14 opens with the same phrase, "STAND THEREFORE" in light of the facts that the evil one has schemes/methods to use against us and the evil day can come at anytime, anywhere, and any day, we are commanded to TAKE UP the whole armor.

We must be mindful that the evil one comes with and without an invitation.  The warfare began in Genesis 3 and will continue against every human being until the day when HIS enemies shall be permanently placed in hell where they belong. Our greatest weapon in our spiritual armor, "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." Stay alert for the fight is on and we fight the good fight of FAITH knowing we belong to the ONE who is VICTOR and we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THOSE SEEING CAN BECOME BLIND

Image
John 9 is the story of the healing of the blind beggar.  Not only is it a marvelous story of the miraculous healing of the man as he is given his sight, but a sad story of the religious of whom Jesus said, "For judgment, I have come into this world, so that the blind will see, and those who see will become blind ." The religious have seen the miracle, even though it has taken place on a Sabbath, and they interview the man and his parents for their stories and understanding. I find it so thrilling that the healed man speaks so articulately and logically with the religious in their "interview" with him.  His statement, " Now that is remarkable!  You don't know where HE comes from, yet HE opened my eyes.  We know that God does not listen to sinners.  He listens to the godly man who does His will.  Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing." What truth he has spoken to the religious wh...
Read more

REHEARSALS

Image
  I wonder how much time do I give to rehearsing God's goodness and how He has intervened in my life to "save" me from myself?  How alike the Israelites I can be, complaining about what goes wrong, how it affects me, and what I lack.  As a Christ follower, I have the Indwelling Holy Spirit to give me remembrance NOT of my complaining and grumbling, but of a recall of God's faithfulness to me.  It is recorded in Psalms 78 and 106 that " They forgot what He had done, the wonder He had shown them", "They did not remember His power--the day He redeemed them from the oppressor...", "They did not remember Your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.", "But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.", and "They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt...". Contrast with me, God's remembrance: Ps. 106:44-46, "But He took note of their distress...
Read more

A DONKEY SPEAKS!

Image
    Numbers has been full of repetitive accounts of the Israelites and their disobedience.  They have now made several laps around Mt. Sinai, many of the original people have died off, or been killed for their arrogant and presumptuous actions against the LORD, Moses, and Aaron. The overriding truth of the accounts is the merciful grace of the LORD! Moses is in his last days of leadership.  The forty years are coming to an end and they are moving toward a second attempt to enter the Promise Land.  They have been victorious in taking land, and they are moving further into the interior of the land of Moab.  The king and the residents of Moab are "filled with dread because of the Israelites.  The king of Moab, Balak, sends messages to Balaam, who is a sorcerer and is able to to place curses or blessings on others.  King Balak wants to know how to defeat "this horde" that is licking up everything around them.  Of course, he is desirous th...
Read more