A Walk through Ephesians - Pt 29

 

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:14–20 ESV).

 

The Apostle Paul was very familiar with the armor of the Roman soldier, as were all the people of the empire. Rome ruled with their military presence in every nation they conquered and occupied. So, when he comes to describe the “armor of God” it is not surprising that he should go into great detail, including the footwear necessary for a soldier. He calls this piece of equipment “shoes for your feet… the readiness given by the gospel of peace” (v. 14).

 

One of the things that has struck me after years of study in the Old Testament is the fact that our Creator is an exceedingly patient God. Israel rebelled time after time, and time after time our Lord forgave His people and stayed His wrath before it could wipe out the nation (cf. Numbers 21:4–9; 1 Kings 21:25–29). But God’s patience with Israel ended, and He finally sent the Israelites into exile on account of flagrant, unrepentant sin (cf. 2 Kings 17:7–23; 25:1–21). It is very difficult to imagine the trauma of this event. Even the faithful remnant wondered whether the Lord’s plan to save the world through Abraham’s seed had gone off course. Since Israel had failed so miserably, how could peace between God and His children ever be restored (cf. Lamentations 5:21–22)? Was the Lord truly sovereign if godless, pagan nations freely ravaged and pillaged Israel (cf. Habakkuk 1)?

 

Through Isaiah the prophet, the Lord answered these questions. He would intervene to cleanse the nation of its uncleanness. He would act to prove His eternal dominion, sending messengers to announce His reign over all (cf. Isaiah 52:1–7). Of course, this prophecy is fulfilled in the coming of the kingdom of God in the person and work of Christ. However, there is still a battle raging. To this end Paul gives us our marching orders. We are to suit up with the armor of God!

 

Remember, most ancient warfare consisted of hand-to-hand combat between soldiers after long marches to the battlefield. Thus, Roman soldiers required footwear that could sustain their feet as they marched and give them solid footing in a fight. The half boot called the caliga met these very needs. For spiritual warfare, the gospel of peace fulfills the same purposes for the soldier of Christ. The announcement that God reigns and has reconciled Himself in Jesus to believers sustains us in the long march of the Christian life. It allows us to keep going even when things are so bad that we doubt whether the Lord really is looking out for us.

 

This gospel also provides solid footing from which we can grapple with Satan. We easily get discouraged with our own spiritual growth, but the truth of what God has done in Christ readies us to repent when we fall and return to the battle with vigor. The gospel gives us, Matthew Henry comments, “a resolved frame of heart which will enable us to walk with a steady pace in the way of religion.”

 

There is nothing that gives us surer footing than the gospel, the good news that our sovereign, holy God has intervened in history to reconcile His people to Himself. Understanding that we are reconciled to Him through no effort of our own reminds us that we stand firm only in Him and can never lose our footing permanently when we rely on Jesus!

 

A Walk through Ephesians - Pt 28

 

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:14–20 ESV).

 

Now the Apostle Paul comes to the second piece of equipment we need to “put on” for the battle in which we are engaged: “the breastplate of righteousness” (v. 14). In a physical soldier’s armor, this is the part of the armor that protects the front and back of the torso. It’s keeping your spine, internal organs, and especially your heart and lungs safe. The reference to “righteousness” is important for us to understand. In a broad sense, the word in the original language is δικαιοσύνης (dikaiosuné). It means being in a “condition acceptable to God.” It also refers to “the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved by God” (Thayer’s Dictionary).

 

Righteousness involves the condition of your heart and state of your character. However, for the apostle his intention is for us to realize this state of being right is not attained through our good work; it comes through the love of God, in that by giving up Christ, his Son, to die as an expiatory sacrifice for the sins of men he has attested his grace and good-will to mankind, so that they can hope for salvation as if they had not sinned. But the way to obtain this hope, he teaches, is only through faith, by which a man appropriates that grace of God revealed and pledged in Christ; and this faith is reckoned by God to the man as δικαιοσύνη. Thus it is "the state acceptable to God which becomes a sinner's possession through that faith by which he embraces the grace of God offered him in the expiatory death of Jesus Christ (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

This is the protection we need for our heart! God has always been interested in wining His people’s hearts. That desire is at the core of Him asking us to follow Him in righteousness, which is why Jesus didn’t destroy the Law when He came. Rather, He revealed the full expression and intent behind God’s law — that we might develop His character and become like Him (cf. Matthew 5:17-20, 48).

 

Faith then becomes the act of putting on this “righteousness.” It takes us from the doing of the law to the living of our life in Christ. I like to say it puts me in a position where I’ve learned to live in the “third person”. That is to say I depend on God not myself. The moment my mind begins to drift away from the declaration that only God is enough for me is the moment I lose the battle. Trust Him and only Him!

 

A Walk through Ephesians - Pt 27

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:14–20 ESV).

 

The belt of truth is the first piece of spiritual armor described in our reading (cf. Ephesians 6:14-29). This ultimately protects believers to stand firm against spiritual deception. This piece of equipment was a foundational part of the Roman soldier’s dress for battle. For a Roman soldier, the military belt (or balteus) gathered up the loose inner tunic so he could move freely and avoid tripping. Spiritually, truth gathers and secures a person's life, preventing confusion from loose thinking or deceit.

 

However, it also served as the anchor for other pieces of armor. The soldier's belt held his heavy sword and was attached to his breastplate. Without the belt of truth, the rest of the spiritual armor lacks structural support. Paul says it should be "girding to your waist." This is a reference to being fully prepared and alert. Embracing God’s truth prepares a believer to respond to daily spiritual challenges.

 

We should remember that the only source of objective truth is the Scripture. Relying on the absolute truth of Scripture and the character of God rather than shifting cultural opinions is the only foundation from which we may fully equip ourselves for battle. This daily consumption of truth allows us to live a life of personal integrity and sincerity. Living an honest, transparent life free of hypocrisy, duplicity, or deception is essential to turning away the attacks of the devil.

  

A Walk through Ephesians - Pt 26

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For 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. Therefore 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. (Ephesians 6:10–13 ESV).

 

The Apostle Paul now comes to the conclusion of his letter to the believers in Ephesus. He says to “stand firm” (v. 13). Of course, he goes on to explain both the weapons and strategy in this conflict we find ourselves engaged in. Our strategy is to rely completely on the Lord. It is in the power of his boundless strength that we will be able to capture the victory. He also tells us we are to “put on God's complete armor so that you can successfully resist all the devil's craftiness.” We will examine these weapons in the next few days more.

 

Today I want to concentrate on the truth that our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organizations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that roams freely in this dark world. It is for this reason we must learn to use the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground.

 

We should remember that we are fighting a spiritual war against enemies who are far greater in numbers, intelligence, subtlety, and power than Israel had to wage war against in terms of their contemporary neighboring nations. And, our enemy is invisible.

 

The word Paul uses for "stand" is a military term for holding on to a position. In effect, before one can launch an attack, he must first hold the position he is in. Believers confront something that we simply cannot overcome except that we also have help in this spiritual realm to draw upon as a resource. We should also understand that these enemies should not be underestimated. Our struggle is not merely against human foes, and it is a war to the death. In fact, here in this chapter, this idea is hidden in the Greek. It is a war to the death against supernatural forces. The word "powers" denotes those who aspire to world control, and ancient writers used the term to designate the savior gods of pagan religions. That is who we are fighting against—demons!

 

The great news of the Gospel is that the ultimate war has already been won. These battles we face are those that lead to that final ending God has already planned and promised. They exact serious consequences in our lives and are not to be taken lightly. However, we have this hope of final victory and eternal life to encourage us to persevere! This perseverance is much easier when we put on this full armor!

 

A Walk through Ephesians - Pt 25

 

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. (Ephesians 6:5–9 ESV).

 

At first glance it would seem that our reading today has little practical application to our time. However, even though these verses apply the gospel to the master-slave relationship of the first-century church, they also frame daily work and authority as service rendered ultimately to Christ regardless of the age in which we live. It is another great example of the timeless nature of the Scripture.

 

The message is quite clear. We are to be worthy of the calling of God into His grace as we “work,” whatever that work might be. You see, it is in gratitude for the benefits granted in our relationship with Christ by faith alone that believers must serve the interests of everyone also united to Jesus (cf. Ephesians 2:8–9; 5:18–21). And as we have seen earlier in this letter (Ephesians 5:22–6:4), our relation to others in the body of Christ determines the practical outworking of our Christian service. Husbands serve their wives through leading them in godliness self-sacrificially. Wives serve their husbands by willingly following their husbands’ leadership. Children serve their parents by honoring them with obedience. Parents serve their children by raising them in their developing faith in the Lord. The same principle now applies to our work relationships.

 

The Book of Philemon is helpful at this point. The context of that letter is within the bonds of ancient slavery. Remember this slavery differed from slavery in the American South, and how God’s regulation of a practice in Scripture does not necessarily mean the practice is His design for humanity. We can all learn from these principles, for we all have authorities over us, and many of us have authority over others.

 

The fundamental tenet Paul unfolds here is that we serve our earthly supervisors with an eye to the Lord. We are servants of Christ before all else (v. 6), and key to serving Jesus well is doing the will of those in authority over us, insofar as that will does not violate God’s law, of course. Our Creator rules His creation through delegated authorities (cf. Romans 13:1–7); consequently, to obey the directives of authorities is to obey God Himself. Simply put, we cannot claim to be Christ’s servants if we do not heed those whom God has put over us. Such obedience must be rendered with respect, not begrudging contempt.

 

There is also an understanding that “work” is what we have been created for in God’s purpose and will. This brings glory to all of creation. Thus we should concentrate on doing whatever our “hands find to do” as if we are doing it to the Lord (cf. Ecclesiastes 9:10). This is how we can work worthy of our calling!

 

[NOTE: For a fuller explanation of work in the plan and purpose of God, please IM me with your email and I will send you an essay I recently wrote on this subject. Of course, there is no cost, nor will your information be shared with anyone.]

 

A Walk through Ephesians - Pt 24

 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1–4 ESV).

 

Today we come to another one of the directives of the Apostle Paul that often raises an eyebrow with some. We should remember that the apostle’s emphasis in Ephesians 5:22–6:9 is on the submission of service and how believers fulfill the call to serve one another in love (cf. Ephesians 5:21; Galatians 5:13). In today’s reading, the apostle addresses Christian children, his main audience consisting of kids who still live under the direct care of their parents. Adult children can certainly draw principles from this passage for their relationship with their parents, but the primary instruction is for those who have yet to reach maturity.

 

Ancient Roman society, like most cultures throughout history, believed that children should listen to their parents and respect their elders. Indeed, no one can escape what the created order tells us about the propriety of kids obeying their mothers and fathers. Yet Scripture uniquely addresses children directly, commanding them as individuals with a moral sense of what they should and should not do. This elevates children from the status of mere possessions to persons, conferring upon them a dignity and worth not always given to them in unbelieving societies. Kids are not chattel who can be treated any way their parents like.

 

Addressing children this way presupposes that regenerate young people, especially if they are nearing adulthood, have the duty and ability to obey their parents wisely. No human authority, parents included, deserves absolute allegiance. Abusive, neglectful, and impenitently foolish parents are not to be honored in the same way as good parents. John Chrysostom, the ancient patriarch of Constantinople, addressed this issue, noting Paul’s qualification that youths obey parents “in the Lord.” Chrysostom says, “They [parents] are to be obeyed in whatever way they are not offending against God” (ACCNT 8, p. 191).

 

Obedience “in the Lord” qualifies the child-parent relationship, but it cannot excuse rebellious kids who disobey rules they do not like. God gives us parents for our benefit, and obeying their wisdom, besides being right, brings us many benefits (vv. 2–3). In fact, children who impenitently disobey the godly instruction of their parents mark themselves off as unregenerate (cf. Romans 1:28–32; 2 Timothy 3:1–5). Yet children who profess Christ and render respectful love to their parents demonstrate the reality of their salvation, enjoying many other blessings as well.

 

The Old Testament often speaks of honor for one’s parents by employing language elsewhere associated with the fear of the Lord (cf. Leviticus 19:3, 14, 32). Although no human authority deserves absolute allegiance, we must show proper, biblical reverence to our parents. This applies to us no matter how old we are or how long we have lived outside of our parents’ homes. Let us seek to be models of godliness in how we honor our mothers and fathers.

 

A Walk through Ephesians - Pt 23

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:25–33 ESV).

 

Today’s reading continues the Apostle Paul’s practical instruction of the relationship of the husband to the wife in the family of believers. He says, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (v. 25). This is the foundational biblical command. It directs husbands to lead through self-sacrificial service, deep care, and unconditional devotion. It is modeled after Christ in that it should be a love that is sacrificial, active, and protective rather than passive.

 

Martin Luther once said of his beloved Katherine Von Bora, whom called Katie, or sometimes “Mrs. Dr. Luther”. He observed on one occasion, he said, "If God wanted me to be married to a meek woman, he'd have to carve one out of stone." What he was saying was that Katie was beautiful inside and she had a great spirit, but she wasn't a doormat for anybody, or Martin Luther or anyone else that came into the house. God is not calling women to be doormats, to be slavish in the way they relate to their husbands any more than God will ever tolerate a man exercising a tyranny over his wife.

 

Again, one of the great calamities of our day is the epidemic of wife abuse. I'm going to say this to every man in who reads this devotional, there are lots of sins that I can understand, but I cannot for the life of me understand how any man could ever hit a woman. Never let it be said of you that you would ever let your anger, in a domestic dispute, move you to such an action as to actually hit your wife. That's absolutely unconscionable. There are other ways to “hit” your wife. Emotional abuse, demeaning references, or rude remarks cannot be tolerated either. This is simply not the way of Jesus.

 

We must take care to treat our wife as our own body, nourishing and cherishing her. We should show mutual respect, building a unified partnership rooted in spiritual commitment. Some of the ways we can do this is through praying for your wife's spiritual and emotional well-being; listening actively during regular, open, relational communication; serving her daily needs through small, thoughtful acts of kindness; and, prioritizing dedicated time together without distractions.

 

This is the way of Jesus. It ought to be our way as well!