"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that labours must be first partaker of the fruits.Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things." (II Timothy 2:1-7)
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 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.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:10-20)
As the world around us sinks into further chaos and uncertainty, it is critical that we know in whom we serve ... and that the Lord Jesus has given us the tools to become equipped against the wiles of the devil. For the Lord has told us that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. Combined, these would seem overwhelming in the day to day. But we are not to be disheartened because we know from whence comes our hope. In pursuing a personal relationship with Jesus (as both our Lord God and Saviour -- Acts 2:36-41) we know from whence comes our joy ... the peace that surpasses all human understanding.
Still, in order to be able to withstand in the evil day (having done all to stand) we need to put on the armour of God. To become fully clothed in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus. This includes having our loins girt with truth -- the Word of God (the scriptures) hid deep in our heart -- having put on the breastplate of righteousness. The righteousness of Jesus -- wherein He wraps us in His cloak of righteousness when we repent and are water baptized in His precious, holy name -- the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 2:36-41)
It is here that we understand the helmet of salvation. It is at this point that we understand the sword of the Spirit -- which is the Word of God. The same Word which became flesh and dwelt among us. The same Word which spoke the world into existence in the beginning. The same Word which leads and guides us in the day to day, so that we can be an ambassador for Jesus, speaking boldly about the greatest love story ever told -- making known to one another the mystery of the gospel.
And when we are grounded in His Word, and led by His Spirit, we will also know that we can stand therefore, including standing against the evil day. So much more to learn but let these instructions serve as a starting point for this day. Similarly, may the Lord Jesus lead and guide you into all truth.
Stand in the offering plate.
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