Article for September 1, 2024
Ephesians 6:10–11 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
I was not going to use these verses for my sermon at first. But the more I read them the more God spoke to me. As much as some might not think, we really are living in a dangerous time. Not just for our country, but for the whole world. And as much as some might not want to hear this, it needs to be said.
We can quietly live our lives thinking we need not care what everyone else is doing. But the reality of our current situation says different. The worldly ways are taking over as they have been for all of time. It slowly sneaks its way into our lives, and most do not even realize this. We must realize, what might not affect our generation will affect the next generation and generations to come.
I would love to bury my head in the sand and hope everything will pass me by. But the truth stares me in the face; whether I bury my head in the sand or keep watch, I still get the uncomfortable grit of the world’s sand in my eyes. You might call me a pessimist, truthfully, I am a realist. That I am a realist means that I only believe what is real. God is real and so is His word.
Yes, we need the armor of God, and the full armor of God is engraved with the truth of His word. God said in the world there will be tribulation. (Matthew 24; John 16:33) We must put our faith in Jesus Christ as He says He has overcome the world.
Ephesians 6:12 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Sound familiar? We have rulers in our world right now who threaten the safety of everyone in the world, poor or rich, sick or healthy and all sinners. I don’t expect that everyone that hears these words is going to listen or take them seriously, but then this too has been the failure of mankind.
Mankind is notorious for not heeding the warnings given them from God. It is not I that says these things, but it is God’s own word that says this. My vocation is not to prophesy, but to repeat God’s word and give out the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, take heed not by what I say, but because you study and understand God’s very word to us.
Ephesians 6:13–14 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
The belt of truth is the word of God, and the Word of God is Jesus Christ, for He is the truth, the way, and the life. We should know that we cannot be righteous on our own though there are many who become self-righteous. So therefore, the breastplate of righteousness is to be clothed by Jesus Christ’s righteousness. In this understanding the glory then goes to God and not to us.
Ephesians 6:15–16 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Jesus tells us always to remain ready, as we will not know the time that the thief comes. This is something that I’m not sure that we are, that is, being ready. Our readiness comes with the knowledge of God’s word, that is to know and believe His promises for life and for salvation. Like any path that we follow, having the proper protection keeps us from getting spiritually hurt and thrown off the path we travel.
Are you prepared for whatever comes? Or are you hoping that you need not prepare because you don’t believe evil will try and come for you. If you wear your own footwear, do you think it is enough to keep you on track?
We have been given a shield of faith; do you know how to use it? It is not that I throw my faith up as a car comes speeding toward me and I stand steady in its path to hit me. It is that through faith God will direct me to get out of the way of the speeding car. By faith I am saved and I know my faith is not from myself, but that it is a gift of God as is His salvation.
Ephesians 6:17–18 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying 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,
The Armor of God is Jesus Christ as He is the perfecter of our salvation. Jesus knew firsthand of our week state of faith and died to make the path straighter for us to follow. Look at the cross, pick up your own cross, and follow Jesus. Jesus took the path of death on a criminals cross to show us the way out of our sin (our cross) and the way into our resurrection; that we will live again and never die again.
Jesus died to bring us forgiveness and was resurrected for our salvation. The path could not have gotten any easier than to follow in the footsteps of our Lord. Believe Jesus is the Christ, believe Jesus is the way, and believe Jesus is the life eternal and everlasting relationship with our God who loves us to life, and believe this is not our works but the very work of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Written by Pastor Curtis A. May
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