Armor Of God: The Helmet and the Shield

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation..." ~Eph. 6:16-17

I feel, these verses are communicating the same truth, for two different applications.

The word "faith" in verse 16 is communicating a saving faith, an assurance, as does "salvation" in verses 17. So, Paul is telling to arm yourself with assurance, for what purpose? To guard against flaming arrows. But not just, to "extinguish" them. They have lost all there power. I mean, let's look at the picture:

You are running into battle, when your enemies begin not just to shoot arrows, but flaming arrows. I'm sure each of the warriors needed a change of armor once the battle was over. But, how does assurance play a role?

The adversary loses it's advantage. Jesus said, "My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." (John 10:29) Think about it, the enemy can't beat you, neither can sin defeat you. Sin and the devil have lost their advantage over us.

This is not only useful in the general day to day struggle with sin, as a shield would be, but it is useful as a helmet, to keep our minds focused on the Lord instead of the world. By that I mean, assurance keeps us kingdom minded, focused on the Lords goodness, not on our own efforts and legalism, which is where the devil would want us too be: focused on ourselves and not God.

Rejoice in the Truth that the devil and sin will see it's defeat...

"And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." ~Rev. 20:10

...and we shall stand, sinless, blameless, to see the face of God, only due to Christ's Righteousness and His Gospel.

"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.  Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.  But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars —they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”~Rev. 21:1-8

So, soldier, arm yourself in assurance. Next time we will look at our main offense in the battle against sin and Satan....

The Armor Of God: The Belt Of Truth.

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..." ~ Ephesians 6:14

Paul, here, where the battle with the devil and against sin begins. Do we hold firm to the Truth? Well, first we know what the Truth is.

Christ is Truth. (John 14:6)

The Word is Truth (John 17:17)

The Gospel is Truth. (Titus 3:3-8)

The moment we begin to forget who we as born-again Christians, are to God through the Gospel, there is noway we can walk in the victory that is promised to us. Just like once we forget that the Word is Truth and defines the world around us, and our view of it, ultimately we become a foolish builder (Matthew 7:24-27).

Think about it, the belt holds everything up, without it, we will, as the infamous song puts it, be "lookin' like a fool with out pants on the ground".

Don't look like a fool. Remember, that in a Christ we have every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3) but we have chosen, loved,(Eph. 1:4) adopted (1:5), redeemed (1:6), and given God Himself through the Holy Spirit as a "deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (1:14). These are just some of the glorious gifts given to us through the gift of Grace.

Also lets not forget that apart from Him we are dead (2:1), disobedient (2:2), objects of wrath (2:3), darkened in our understanding and without hope (Eph. 4:17-19).

Don't be a fool. Love the Truth, preach it too yourself, continue in it, buckle it to your side and stand firm in it. There is a battle between us and sin, are you ready to fight?

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ~John 8:32

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)