A Walk through Ephesians - Pt 31

 

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).

 

Having covered each component of the armor of God, we understand that we cannot succeed against the Devil if we rely on ourselves. We need the belt of truth to keep the daggers of false doctrine from cutting our legs out from under us. Christ’s imputed righteousness gives us ultimate protection from condemnation and accusation, and the breastplate of a Spirit-developed righteous character guards against the powerful blows of sin that try to destroy our hearts. The shoes of the gospel of peace give us solid footing and ready us to fight. Faith acts as a shield that drives us to seek shelter in God against the flaming arrows of enticing temptations. And today we come to the Helmet of Salvation. This part of our battle equipment protects our minds, enabling us to remain focused on the kingdom. We will see tomorrow that the Scripture is our mighty sword, the weapon that brings the Lord’s enemies to submissive repentance and keeps us on the narrow way by forcing us to our knees in gratitude for salvation and sorrow for sin.

 

Our ultimate reliance on Christ for success in spiritual warfare is underscored in today’s passage. The participial phrase used in this verse, “praying at all times in the Spirit” (v. 18), covers everything that comes before it. In so doing, it indicates that we put on the armor of God by consistent, persistent prayer. Praying “at all times” is nothing less than taking every opportunity to be in a relationship with the Lord that acknowledges our weakness and our need for the Lord’s power against all of those principalities and powers that seek our destruction. Prayerful dependence must be the consistent attitude of our hearts, both in difficult times that make us quick to run to God and when prosperous seasons tempt us to forget our need for Him. John Calvin writes, “Paul therefore desires us to allow no opportunity to pass — on no occasion to neglect prayer; so that praying always is the same thing as praying both in prosperity and in adversity.”

 

Prayer is to be made in the Spirit (v. 18), which is not a reference to speaking in tongues. Instead, it refers to petitioning God for specific things (“all prayer and supplication”) through the Spirit, who is the One who prompts us to pray and then takes what we offer and makes it acceptable to the Father (cf. Romans 8:26). The Lord wants us to make specific requests, understanding that they will be granted in accordance with His perfect will (cf. James 4:2; 1 John 5:14).

 

In addition to being specific in prayer, God also wants us to be persistent in intercession (v. 18). This is a good reminder for us today, as we are likely to give up praying when we feel as if we have not received an answer in a timely manner. But we must persevere in asking for God’s help, even if it seems He is delaying His response. It is the acknowledgement that God’s timing cannot always be understood, though it can always be trusted!

 

 

 

A Walk through Ephesians - Pt 30

 

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).

 

When the biblical authors wanted to convey a truth about God to His people, they had two basic choices. On the one hand, they could state their teaching plainly in theological propositions; or, they could use metaphorical language to express the reality of His character. Both options have their advantages, but metaphors uniquely convey the fullness of the Lord’s character and what He has done for us. There is a difference, for instance, between saying that the Creator is our protector and asserting that He is our shield. Both statements indicate that God is our defender, but to call Him our shield indicates vividly that He stands between us and our enemies to absorb the worst of their blows and keep us secure. The Apostle Paul uses the latter in this description of God’s protection.

 

Scripture often refers to the God as our shield (cf. Genesis 15:1; Psalm 5:12; Proverbs 30:5), and we must keep this in mind as we consider Paul’s call for us to take up the “shield of faith” (v. 6). Trusting in God — lifting the shield of faith — is to rest in Him as our protector, as the One who keeps the assaults of the Devil from destroying us. He does this for all His people in an ultimate sense, guarding us that we might persevere in faith (cf. Romans 8:30). But the Lord also shields us from temptation as we look to Him daily to help us walk in holiness. When we remember to turn to Him in our circumstances, He will direct us faithfully on the right path and help us make decisions that will honor Him.

 

The shield that Paul’s metaphor would have brought to mind for his first-century audience was not a small disc but a large, body-length shield that a Roman soldier used to shelter his entire body. Soldiers would dampen these shields and otherwise prepare them to put out the flaming arrows and other missiles that were often launched at them from behind enemy lines. Our faith serves a similar purpose in our conflict with Satan, not because faith in itself is a substance that has magical sheltering properties but because it is the means by which we lay hold of God and all His promises. To take up the shield of faith is to rest in Christ Himself, who absorbed the blows of temptation and even demonic attack, finally emerging victorious (cf. Luke 4:1–13; 22:3; 24:1–12). Turning to Him in faith daily is essential for us, as evil forces are too powerful for us to resist on our own (v. 1).

 

An essential part of turning to Christ to resist temptation and other assaults successfully is understanding and appreciating truly His loveliness. When we have a true grasp of His greatness, we will be more encouraged to look to Him in all things and to see the ugliness of sin. Take time today to meditate on the wonder of Christ, His glory, and the beauty of what He has done for us. Let this, in turn, move you to rest in Him in faith each day.

 

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.]