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Ephesians 6:10-18 - 2 of 2

Ephesians 6:13
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.

If we are to remain in the battle and do God's will, we must have His help. God offers this help in abundance just for the asking. Yes, there is a need for divine armour from God to avoid giving up in discouragement, frustration, temptation to do evil, etc., etc. The battle is literally against demonic forces, fallen angels, and evil spirits - not just flesh and blood. At the very least, Christians should expect constant harassment from the devil if they are trying to do anything for the Lord. The devil bombards us from every side with deception, temptation, and the opportunity for evil. The devil looks for every possible way to get at us by exploiting our weaknesses and trying to slip in through cracks in our defenses. Without God, we are a fast and easy conquest.

Ephesians 6:14
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

The truth is God's Word - the Gospel of the Grace of God - literally the story of God for His Glory. We hold His Word and His Word holds us. God's Word is the measurement of all Truth, and The Word is Jesus Christ - the Holy One who purchased us with His Blood. We are already His eternal possession. He will give us protection, strength, and endurance if we yield to Him and pray that He helps us. Many beautiful descriptions in the Bible clearly prove that He loves us and wants to protect us as His Children. After all, He has already given His Blood on the Cross to rescue us from the curse of sin and death. How much more will He freely give us if we yield and place ourselves in His Mighty Hands. God's Truth is a mighty influence if we study it and hold it high in our lives. If we know and permeate ourselves with God's Truth, won't it be harder for the devil and his minions to deceive us? Yes, most certainly. This is why God gave us His Truth in His Word, and His Word will endure forever. The deceptions of the devil will be crushed and forgotten. The devil can't stand this thought because any glory he would hope to obtain would be lost. The devil's glory will most definitely be lost, and God's Truth will prevail forever. How is it that we test the spirits whether they be good or bad? How is it that we test the truth? We do this with God's Word, the Truth that will endure forever.

Ephesians 6:15
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

We are as a Christian Soldier, and we should be prepared to go forward to the enemies of God with the Gospel of the Grace of God. If we are to go forward into enemy territory for God's purposes, we must know God's Good News well enough to share it. God equips us for this mission if we yield to him, and the Holy Spirit guides us as we go forward into the enemy lines. God's Truth - His Gospel - is one of our most powerful weapons. We can't go on the offensive without God's Gospel because the Good News of God is the only way to obtain peace with God. Look at this beautiful description in light of:  Isaiah 52:7  How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!  --  And  --  Romans 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  --  The description is not a coincidence because we must bring the Gospel to the lost.

Ephesians 6:16
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Where is our Salvation, our strength, and our deliverance? How many beautiful portions of Scripture talk about the Law of Faith in Jesus Christ? Is the devil able to drive the Holy Spirit out of our hearts? As a Christian, what is our best and finest attribute? - Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour is the answer. Do we know that Jesus Christ can defeat the devil? Do we know that Jesus Christ can defend us if we yield to Him? What is it that is accounted unto us as righteousness? The answer is Faith in God. The same answer that Abraham had is the same answer today for us. Do we believe God and His Promises? If we have Faith - we do.

Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

The helmet of Salvation is the sure knowledge of final victory and deliverance. As Christians, we have the assurance of Salvation because of the Promise of God. The helmet is seen as a defensive implement and it is worn on the head. Where does thought occur and where might doubt originate? It isn't from God. Do we believe God? Look at this in light of:  Romans 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Finally, the "sword of the Spirit" is one of our strongest defensive and offensive weapons. God's Word contains what we need for every occasion. The answer to every difficult question is in God's Word.

Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Prayer is not part of the armour, but it is the way in all times - good and bad. It is the way because we can have an audience before the throne of Grace at all times. First, we approach the throne of grace in worship, thanks, and praise for what God has already done for us and what God is doing for us. God gave us prayer to communicate with him, and every Christian has constant need of communicating with God. This must be part of our personal relationship and fellowship with God. Prayer is also a gift that God has given us to petition on behalf of others. Prayer is part of our love for each other. First, we must never take for granted anything that God gives us. Second, we must know that God does as He pleases in Heaven and on earth according to His Perfect Will. Our prayers are to His Glory and He loves to hear our prayers.

In conclusion, God equips us for His Perfect Will if we yield to His Use and Purpose. We are nothing without Jesus Christ because Jesus Christ is our all in all.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[nChrist]

Romans 5:17  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)


We were once under the tyrannical master of death, but now we have Eternal Life in Jesus Christ. God's Love and Matchless Grace mean more than we can ever dream of. Because we are In Christ, we will reign with Him as Royalty in Heaven. The Righteousness given to us belongs to Jesus Christ. We received this priceless Gift by Faith in Jesus Christ, and Only Christ makes us fit for our Heavenly Inheritance. Christ gave us Life in His Life. Think about this - Give Thanks - Praise Him - Worship Him.

 

[nChrist]

The Grace Of God That Bringeth Salvation

Titus 2:11-15  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

God has extended His Grace, His Love, and His Gift of Jesus Christ on the Cross to all men. There is no greater love than this. Many men have rejected God's Love and Gifts, but that shouldn't effect our boldness in proclaiming God's Good News. We who have accepted God's Love and Gifts are unique, as God is purifying and perfecting His Eternal Possessions. Our part is to yield and know that God began a good work in us that He will most definitely complete. This evil world awaits the Holy Wrath of God and Judgment, but we await Christ coming in great Love to take us Home to Glory.

Titus 2:11-15 is a beautiful summation of our Salvation that also speaks of our reasonable service for The Holy One who Died on the Cross in our place. When we speak of the Holy Things of God and Salvation, we should speak boldly, unashamed, and with the Authority of God's Word. We should know that many men hate God and reject His Authority, but that changes nothing. These are times that we pray for God's Guidance, strength, and courage to speak God's Word in boldness. We should never apologize or be apologetic in speaking God's Word, and this pertains not just to the lost, but to each other when we encourage each other. One of the keys to this passage of Scripture is God's Word and God's Message - not our words or the message of men.

Love In Christ,
Tom