Devotion for 28 May 2011 Anno Domini (Eph 6:10-24)

Devotion for 28 May 2011 Anno Domini (Eph 6:10-24)
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 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.13 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. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 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,20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. (Eph 6:10-24)

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” These are Paul’s benedictory comments to conclude the Epistle. Strength in the Lord turns away the devil. We should mobilize our souls for the spiritual combat which shall surely come. Weakness is a characteristic of the wicked. Strength is a mark of Christian character.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” What armor? Every part of the arsenal of armor God grants is designed to be worn for our defense (and offense, too). In any war, or military engagement, a full knowledge of the terrain of the battlefield and the deployment of the enemy (intelligence) is essential for victory. One of the most effective armaments of the Christian is the Light which the Lord gives. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:12) Light not only reveals the right path, but also the ditches and pitfalls on either side of the way. When the Light is bright, the enemy can be clearly seen. Moreover, he is blinded by the Light. If you would have maximum armor, you must call on the maximum power available to you: “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14) If we do this, all of the variables and confusion of the battlefield will disappear. No enemy, and certainly not the legions of demons we face, can stand against the power and presence of Christ! Press for the rout as the enemy flees before you.
“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.” Though flesh-and-blood agents of these unseen powers of darkness may seem the essence of the enemy against whom we battle, they are only the vassals and apparitions. The Great Conspirator of nations and earthly powers issues his commands and orders from the balconies and spires of the seats of government. His domain has invaded all the avenues of political and social concourse. He pulls the invisible strings of the implements of war against heaven.
“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.” If a soldier is completely defeated, he cannot stand. If he stands boldly, he cannot retreat standing. A soldier standing represents a strong wall of stone to the enemy. There can be no victory for the enemy as long as our men (and women) remain ‘standing.’ And when vigor fades and courage is daunted, and all our best arts of battle employed, STAND! Standing his ground is the meritorious mark of virtue of the soldier.
We are now provided with a detailed account of our armor: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” Our loins support our erect standing in battle and our center of strength. Truth is the foundation of our standing. The earnest of our love and faith is protected by our breastplate of righteousness because righteousness is the evidence of that faith and love.
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Yes, a soldier must have freedom of movement. In ancient times, when an enemy was captured, his shoes were removed to prevent his freedom to move quickly. We enjoy liberty in Christ because Christ is our “Perfect Law of Liberty” (James 1:25). “The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” (General Douglas MacArthur, USMA, 1962). The Gospel will always have peace as a result, but peace, at all cost, is not the end of the Gospel. There is an enemy in the field, and the enemy bars our way to peace. Peace will not come until the enemy is vanquished.
“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. ” Three protective coverings (integuments) are mentioned in our text today – the breastplate, the girdle, and the shoes; two provisions for defense – the helmet (to protect the mind) and shield; and two weapons of offense – the sword (Word of God) and the spear (prayer). Note the phrase, “ye shall be able”, not “ye MAY be able.” Victory is assured!
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” That is, pray at every occasion and opportunity. You may even be sinking in the sea as was Peter when you utter your best prayer. Pray with every kind of prayer to meet every kind of contingency. Praying in the Spirit is allowing the Spirit in us, as the adopted child of God, to dictate the terms of prayer and petition. An army that has no watch or vision, even in the night, is already doomed. We must watch and be watchful, and not only at times, but ALWAYS!
“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.” Paul ask for particular prayer for himself that the Holy Spirit, according to the promise, will give him utterance of what needs to be said at every turn, in proclaiming the deep mysteries of the Gospel. Paul, an ambassador of Christ in chains at Rome, needs fervent prayer to give him boldness to speak that which needs spoken. We, too, need such boldness in our day.
“But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.” Tychicus is a beloved brother to Paul (in Christ) and may be depended upon to deliver all news of how Paul fares. Even bad news is often a comfort over doubt and the unknown. In our day, we have ministries which also keep us abreast of suffering Christians, in bonds in other lands, for whom we must pray.
The Benediction of Paul: “Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” Peace on the inward heart, regardless the outward circumstances, to all who are brethren in Christ (that includes you and me). There is no peace to the wicked. Love is predisposed with the saints; however, faith must be the company of love. “……faith which worketh by love.” (Gal 5:6). “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity” is spoken as a contrasting malediction to those who do not love the Lord. “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” (1 Cor 16:22). All who fail in love to Christ are accursed (Anathema) and all who love Him receive the opposite measure of Grace! Maranatha – Come Lord Jesus! The prayer of all who love Him!