Through the Bible - Isaiah 27-28, Philippians 1
Good morning,
Have you ever had anyone try to encourage you by saying "be brave" or be strong, take courage or "just hang in there? If we are told to do so in our own strength our own power (which is weak), without someone to back us, it really is not much of an encouragement. We may try to be stoic and try to make a stand on our own, but most often, eventually we'll end up worn out.
In Ephesians 6:10 Paul tells the believers in the church in Ephesus to "be strong in the Lord and the power of His might". It is a common theme in the Old and New Testament. It is submitting to God in all situations, having faith in the unseen, in the Power that is from outside of us that is also living in us.
Paul gives us this encouragement because he has experienced it personally. He also knew personally that our battle was not against flesh and blood. In today's verses he tells us who we are fighting.
Eph 6:11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. NLT
In one of the great encoraging and challenging passages in the New Testament Paul goes on to outline what we need to defend ourselves and also to take the offensive, put on the full armor of God.
The world truly is a dangerous place to live in these days, the stakes are high, and many of the battles go on in our hearts and minds.
Helmut Thielicke writes, "Now we understand a little of what "dangerous living" really means. We are beset on every side and tempted by the big and little things in our life; we are tempted equally by our passions and our ideals. There is nothing the tempter does not know how to use in order to tear nations and individuals from God's hand. Outside and inside our hearts, high above our heads, where ideals dwell, and down in the cellars where the wild wolves of the senses play havoc, everywhere dwell the tempting powers.
That's why life is dangerous. And God teaches us through His Word to recognize these dangers because the greatness of a danger always increases when it is hidden and unknown. Because God knows this about our life, the Letter to the Ephesians speaks of faith in terms of weapons and armor and describes the life of a disciple as a soldier's existence. His life is a struggle against moral dangers and deadly temptations."
Thielicke wrote these words in the middle of World War II in war torn Germany, sometimes with services being interupted by bombing. In this setting he was telling his listeners that the real dangers were the temptations and moral battles that they faced individually in their hearts and minds.
We can be tempted by "little things". But if we are not "strong in the Lord" and cave in to what we may think are little things, the can corrupt us like a computer virus, spreading into other areas of our lives. Left unchecked like a computer we may crash.
What is the solution? Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God every day.
Read the passage below and think about what makes up this "full armor". Will you put it on day by day?
The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God's ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. NLT
No comments:
Post a Comment