New Strength

KEY VERSE: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the LORD, and in the power of his might.” —Ephesians 6:10

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 6:10-20

PAUL INDICATES THAT to be “strong in the Lord,” includes the need for putting on the ‘armor of God’. “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil.” And again, “Take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done [Margin, “overcome”] all, to stand.” (vs. 13) Putting on the whole armor of God implies proper use of all aspects of truth in relationship to the Christian life.

Certainly we need the whole armor of truth as a protection against the many defiling errors and other evil influences of the present time. We need the truth as a ‘helmet’ of salvation. Since the helmet protects the head, it well represents our need to understand the doctrines, and how they apply to us as Christians. We need to know God, and to be assured that he is caring for us, and causing all our experiences to work together for our good. Without this knowledge we might well become discouraged and give ear to one or another of Satan’s sophistries designed to lure us away from the light of God’s Word, and into the darkness of human traditions.

We need the ‘breastplate of righteousness’. Since the breastplate protects the heart from dagger and spear, it represents the protection of the heart by application of the truth as it is centered in Christ Jesus and his blood by which we are justified. How wonderful it is to know that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, and that our imperfect works are, through Christ, acceptable to the Heavenly Father!

We need also the ‘shield of faith’. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” As the shield can be manuevered according to the situation threatening, so faith is our protection under every circumstance. (I John 5:4) We also need the ‘girdle of truth’, which garment of servitude well symbolizes our consecration to the service of the Lord, the truth, and the brethren. All the other parts of the armor fail of their purpose if we do not serve the truth.

We are also to have our feet shod with the ‘preparation of the Gospel of peace’. This indicates that our walk in life as children of the day should be in keeping with our most holy faith. Walking in this way, we are promoters of peace and goodwill, rather than of strife and hatred.

“The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” is also a very essential part of our armor as New Creatures in Christ Jesus. Possessing the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God—suggests a faithful use of the truth as represented by the helmet of salvation. This knowledge is important, and we should seek to know the truth in as great detail as possible. However, this knowledge alone will not protect us against the wiles of the Adversary in this evil day. As well as possessing knowledge, we also need a heart reliance and appreciation of the message, and a realization of the righteousness of God as it is represented in the truth.

In addition to having on the whole armor of God and a well sharpened sword of the Spirit, we must be of good courage, and war a good warfare in the face of the enemy, remembering that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.”—II Cor. 10:4,5

Just as soldiers before going into battle appeal to their gods for protection and victory, so it must be with the good soldiers of Jesus Christ. We should, “Pray always with all prayer and supplication for all saints.” (Eph. 6:18) Throughout our course we should be able to say with Paul, “Thanks be unto God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”—I Cor. 15:57

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