Put On Whole Armour of God - PART 150

Earnestly contending for the faith that was once delivered to believers,
Paul declares, "I marvel greatly that you are so soon shaken from the faith!"

It is for this reason that we are instructed to put on the whole armour of God. Not like David of old, who was decked out in the fashion of the then day warfare attire -- so attired that he was unable to function. The analogy refers to the attire of religion. One is put in a strait jacket even though the example is one of David going to battle. Fortunately, David's chosen attire was to have faith in God. The same God who alone is able to deliver us from our enemies, and is our shield, our defender, the God of the fathers of faith.

In the same way, our faith today declares that thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God. When Jesus said that upon this rock He would build His church / assembly / congregation/ people, He also stated that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. Why? Because God is more than able to defend His people.

The ark of the covenant requires no man’s hands to uphold it., However, God has freely placed into man’s hands the Seed which is the Word of God. And like all Seed, it requires planters. God has committed the planting into the hands of man to deploy. For if we sow sparingly, we shall reap sparingly.

We are not talking here as TV artists do about money being the seed. Rather, we are setting the stage for the defence of the faith, endeavouring to withhold nothing that may be profitable to God’s flock. We are not preaching partiality nor are we gainsayers. Recall from former presentations, the example of a penny doubled every day for 28 days growing to 1 million dollars.

If we translate the penny into persons, so that within 28 days, we can reach 1 million persons with the gospel, what a different world we would see. In this context then, let's attempt to alter the world’s atmosphere toward God, into an atmosphere of love for God. Sow in tears and reap in joy! All you need is love -- first dictated as a guide for our life.

On a different note, many of the teachings of the reformers seem to be over-rated because of their enthusiasm. Just like the size of the fish that got away. Understandably so, inasmuch as they were held captive by a masquerading priestly system. Held captive to a prison sentence where not a glimmer of light nor hope appeared. To grasp the hopelessness of the then populace, read the original preface to the King James Version Bible, especially when the writers pen words revealing the popish system along with others opposing the written Word.

They sought the protection of the King against possible persecution arising as a result of translating the Word of God into their mother tongue. As one author put it, he would not rest until even a plough boy would/should become more acquainted with God’s Word than any priest. Try to grasp the tenor of their words. They were first eye witnesses of the dark ignorance being advanced in God’s name.

The reformers sort of intertwined the old covenant and the New Testament as if the New Testament were an addendum to the old Jewish covenant. But of course never the twain did meet. Also they were still shackled with the erroneous doctrine of the papacy. As such, it was hard to read and digest the truth when surrounded with previously demonic teachings seated in high places.

I pray God that you read your Bible and allow the Word of God to have pre-eminence within you. Peace to all in Jesus name!