Put On The Whole Armour Of God, That You May Be Able To Stand Against The Schemes Of The devil - Part 1894

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head -- [even] Christ from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted [knit together] by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love ..." (Ephesians 4:14-15; I Corinthians 14:20; Romans 16:18; Ephesians 1:22)

Thus, essentially what is being said here is this. "Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit, in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men." (I Corinthians 14:20; Psalms 131:2) 

As we learn from the scriptures, the analogy often used is to compare the beginning of our faith journey to the first months of a newborn babe. Just like infants desire breast milk for their sustenance, we who believe in Jesus by faith are to desire the sincere milk of the Word. Why? So that we may grow in understanding and be mature -- if we then be risen with Christ seeking those things which are above. And in our hearts, we desire His garment of righteousness, becoming justified through Thy Word which is truth. (John 17:17)

But note herein the qualifier -- "IF we then be risen with Christ." 

"If so ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (I Peter 2:2) 

In other words, when we believe in Him -- our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and from His abundant love for us, are able to flow through His mercy to others around us -- we are circumcised with the circumcision that is made without hands, putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ. (Colossians 2:11) As we know, these are the first and second commandments which in so doing, reveal to us the true meaning of standing in the offering plate. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Mark 12:29-31) 

But there is more. "Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross: and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:12-15; Romans 6:4; Ephesians 1:19-20; Acts 2:24; 36-41; Ephesians 2:15-16; Isaiah 53:12; Ephesians 6:12)

As we become grounded in His Word, we become unshakeable from a devil who is intent on seeking and destroying. But like David the psalmist, we assuredly know that "the Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endures throughout all generations." (Psalm 145:8-13)

We know that "the Lord God is our refuge and help. He is a very present help in trouble. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff these comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-6)

And similarly,  we will not fear -- "though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah." Why? Because "there is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High." (Psalm 46:1-4) 

Indeed, after the kindness and mercy of God our Saviour toward man appeared. He willingly clothed Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that we could have abundant life in Him. "Yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death ..." (Colossians 1:21-22) The mystery that was held before the world was formed has now been revealed to those who desire to personally know Jesus as their Lord God and Saviour.

And, as a consequence, "how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your own conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause He is the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance ..." (Hebrews 9:14-18) To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. 

But sadly, there are those deceivers -- wolves in sheep's clothing -- who do not want you to understand the mystery of godliness that is clearly explained in I Timothy 3:16. These deny that God was manifest in the flesh, or that the Lord came forth as a mighty man so that we could receive His free gift of salvation. These desire to lead us away from our hope which is in Christ Jesus -- us who believe "to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:27-29)

It is for this reason that we put on the whole armour of God, studying the Word, to show ourselves approved as a workman unto God. (II Timothy 2:15) And also, so that no man can beguile us of our reward, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, simply because he or she refused to hold high the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of God.

Conversely, for those who do not know the Word in their hearts, and have not laid a strong foundation on the Rock which is and was and will be the Christ, and thus, not yet stepped away from the rudiments of the world, these will be tossed to and fro when those rains and strong winds come. Nevertheless, apostle Paul is clear about rebuking those who preach another gospel. That is, we are to "mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them, for they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (I Corinthians 14:17-18) 

This certainly resonates when we consider the time Jesus fed the five thousand. Therein, the people who were fed that day searched all over for Jesus, having come the second day looking for food, because their bellies were empty.

[As an fyi, the doctrine that Paul is referencing here is the apostolic doctrine outlined in Acts 2, and the principles of the doctrine of Christ, wherein we can go on unto perfection in Hebrews 6. For clarity, teachers need to understand the first principles of the oracles of God, and to be skillful in  the Word of righteousness. From the scriptures, these include not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, or of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms (plural), and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2; Hebrews 5:12; Acts 19:3-5; Acts 8:17; Acts 17:31; Acts 24:25)]

In the last days, believers in Jesus by faith can expect an increase in those who practice trickery and deception. Lovers of themselves, both proud and boastful, with hearts who devise wicked imaginations and false witnesses who speak lies, and sow discord among the brethren. But don't be alarmed because Jesus warned of these who would attempt to steal the flock, the scribes and Pharisees who would sit in Moses' seat while binding heavy burdens that would be grievous for people to bear.

"For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move then with one of their fingers. ... but all their works they do is to beset of men, for they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments. And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogue." (Matthew 23:4-5) Jesus continues on this subject in Matthew 23, but I am sure the underlying point has been made by now.

Still, we can be victorious in our day to day, if we trust the Master of all things. If we trust our blessed Saviour who shed His precious holy blood for you and I on a cross so that we might have life in Him. Yes, it means setting your affection on things above and not on the things of earth, and instead putting on the new man in Christ Jesus, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him. 

When this happens, our hearts are transformed, and we begin to realize the reason we are here. That is, He has a purpose for each and every one of us, and this purpose is revealed when we desire the Lord Jesus in our very being. Not just as someone who adds to our life as in "our life plus Jesus" but rather, as believers desiring to make Jesus our all and all -- as the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending; the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Indeed, behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world! The same He who "shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of THE THRONE OF GOD AND OF THE LAMB." (Revelation 22:1)

Yes, He is the Word made flesh, the One and Only God who loved us enough to prepare for Himself a body for sacrifice on that old rugged cross. (John 1:1-18) If you have not already, please ask the Lord Jesus to come into your heart and life today. Be water baptized (buried) in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and so that you can receive the Holy Ghost in your heart. (Acts 2:36; I Peter 3:21-22; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 19:44-48) And find a New Testament and start reading therein. You will not be disappointed when your very being, your very essence realizes that you are now part of a chosen generation that the Lord God had desired for you from the beginning of time. 

And as one final word, let no man beguile you but instead, let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord -- so that whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. (Colossians 3:16-17)

Stand in the offering plate.