Through the Bible - Isaiah 27-28, Ephesians 6
Good morning,
In yesterdays VOTD I referenced the song "Give of Your Best to the Master". One of the lines of the song is as follows:
Clad in salvation's full armor,
Join in the battle for truth
Today's New Testament reading in the read through the Bible plan is one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. The second part of it has to do with the "full armor of God". If we are to join in the battle for truth we need to be equipped to do so.
Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. NIV
We are not only to take the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit wherever we go, we are to put on the full armor.
Perhaps we can use a modern day analogy. Look at a pro football player. He wouldn't think of going on the field without any of his protective equipment. A player wouldn't last long (without serious injury) if he went out in bare feet, no pads, and no helmet and took hits from the likes of Brian Urlacher or Lance Briggs (yes I'm a Bear fan). We won't last long "out there" in today's society without being properly equipped.
Regarding the shield of faith, MacArthur writes, "The Greek word usually refers to the large shield that protected the entire body. The faith that Paul refers to is not the body of Christian doctrine (as in 4:13) but basic trust in God. The believers continual trust in God's word and promise is "above all" absolutely necessary to protect him from temptations of every sort of sin."
We are not strong enough in our own power to stand. We need the full armor of God. How are you heading out into the fray today? Are you ready, equipped?
Read the passage below and finish with a prayer, praying "in the Spirit" in preparation for the day.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
No comments:
Post a Comment