A note from our Pastor:

”Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Ephesians 6:13

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

The military metaphor which the Apostle draws forth in our study verse this week must have been one which was engraved in his mind. The same metaphor appears in an incomplete form in the epistle written to the Thessalonians. Once again in his letter to the Romans the Apostle makes reference to this military example. Now in his letter to the Ephesians, as he lived in captivity and was a constant observer of the tools of his captors, the Apostle lays out the metaphor in its most complete form.

As the Apostle observed the Roman guard which kept watch over him he saw the many tools of war and death. This grim tools had been responsible for great loss and suffering, but in the mind of a follower of Christ they are repurposed and used to explain the power of God to protect this people from the strategies and attacks of the devil.

First, the child of God must take the armor of God. This necessitates a study of the truth of Jesus Christ. One must learn of the work of Jesus Christ for the salvation of his people but also must understand the teachings regarding the need for faith, love, mercy, and forgiveness. In a natural sense, having the armor and weapons of a soldier were of little good without training on how to use these items. In a spiritual sense, the child of God must apply himself or herself to the things of God in order to take on this armor.

In the life of a disciple there are evil days. Certainly, most if not all days present their challenges and difficulties, but some days bring the powerful attacks. The devil and evil spirits have been plotting and planning and the attack is coordinated and devastating. For the disciple it feels as though the attack comes from every side and everything in life is being destroyed. It is on these days, in the midst of these attacks, the Apostle says the armor of God allows you to withstand.

Withstanding an attack is a defensive posture. Many times it will be panic inducing and incredibly stressful. During this type of attack, no ground is visibly gained but something happens to the child of God. When the whole armor of God allows him or her to withstand the wiles of the devil, faith and trust in God grows. A confidence in the power of God to protect in the worst of times is the result of withstanding these attacks.

Thus, the Apostle says, when the evil days are done use the new strength to go and stand. Be more confident in the love of Christ and stand for his truth.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah