The Armor Of God

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~Ephesains 6:12-13

Paul comtinues in Ephesians to explain the "why" behind the armor of God.

He explains that "our struggle (refering to our temptations, seens in 'schemes of the devil' in verse 11) is not against flesh and blood" but against something far greater.

We battle against the authorities of the evils realm, the rules and against the powers. Now, think, who are you?

This reminds me of the account in Acts 19, where several people tryed to take on these powers alone.

Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. ~Acts 19:13-16

I think sometimes when we try to overpower these forces on our own they begin to ask the same question, "Who are YOU?" Who are too beat these forces on our own? We need He who overcomes, Jesus Christ. We need to as, Ephesains 6:13 says, "put on the armor of God" and why? So we "may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

Not only so we can stand our ground in battle, but stand even we've doen everything we can do. This is essential in our battle against the kingdom of darkness, and in our struggle for holiness.

Next post we will begin to look at each piece of the "armor of God". God Bless!

Pursuing The Promise Of Purity

Purity has became both a major topic in the Church as well as a major blind spot with the Body.  Most Christians don't seem to put pure purity at the of "list" for Christians.  "That's for Pastors," they say.

But this is not what Scripture says.

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. ~1 Thess. 4:7

But don't work that purity doesn't purity doesn't come through our persistence, but purity comes when passion for it begins to purely trust in the promises of God.

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." ~2 Peter 1:3-4

While sinless perfection is out of reach for the Christian this side of Glory, the Word tells us plainly that our pursuit for purity is not in vain.  "not only has God given us all we need for Godliness", but Peter also tells us we have His promises to rely on.

What promises are these?  Well, let's look at a few:

He promises to keep His Children blameless untill He returns.  (Jude 24-25)

He has the power to began the work He began in our salvation. (Phil 1:6)

God ALONE has the power to "sanctify us through and through" (1 Thess. 5:23-24)

Do we not realize that our holiness it is graded on the Cross?  Hebrews 10:14 says that "by one sacrifice God has made perfect forever, those who are being made Holy."  Realize today that if you have truly been born again in Christ, you'll battle against sin has already been won.

Christ defeated sin, death, Hell and condemnation.  Those whom He calls He not only justifies, but glorifies! (Romans 8:29-30).

If you haven't repented of your sins and put your Trust in Christ, do so.  There is eternal life, victory through His blood and His resurrection, and freedom from the bondage of sin.

Remember, today, to set your mind on things above, and flee immorality, pursue God. (Phil. 4:8-9,  2 Tim. 2:22)

Pursue the Promise Of The Purity.  God is faithful to grant it too you.  (1 Thess. 5:24)