Putting on the Armor of God

Faith Filled Thoughts
September 11th, 2009
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Putting on the Armor of God

Paul, who fights against the demonic realms, commands the church what they need to do.
He writes in his concluding remarks to the saints at Ephesus. His final instructions for them,

“put on the whole or full armor of God”.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally: Paul is concluding his message to the Church at Ephesus. The epistle (letter) to Ephesus is divided into two parts.
In the first part (Chapters 1-3), Paul instructs the church where they stand in Christ.
The Holy Spirit, is God’s down payment (earnest) of their salvation, guaranteeing their redemption in Christ (Eph 1:13-14).
Paul declares who we are in Christ; His blood saves us, having received the gift of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9).
The second part (Chapters 4-6), Paul instructs the saints, how to apply their position in Christ.
They are not to be passive believers, they are to walk in the spirit (Eph. 4:1).
When we walk, we move forward, we are not static.
So it is in the Christian faith, we are to move forward, advance in our walk.
Our walk is based on the presence of God’s Sprit, who dwells in us, because of our conversion (Part 1).
Therefore, we are to imitators of God (Eph. 5:1).
All that said, Paul concludes with a command to this Church, which he birthed in Ephesus.
He tells them, if they are to be successful, they need to be “In the Lord”.
Being in the Lord, means we need to wear the armor of God.
David was in the Lord, he was wearing the armor of God, against Goliath.

Be Strong in the Lord: Our strength does not come from the world.
We are to be strong in the Lord.

How is one strong in the Lord?
Our strength in the Lord comes through spiritual training, learning to trust the Lord.
David was strong in the Lord, because he had God’s Spirit;
David fought a lion and a bear before he fought Goliath.
He knew God’s power.
Like David, unless we move forward with our faith, we cannot be strong.
The Christian faith requires action for growth and training.
Paul in Ephesians tells the saints to “walk in love”, “walk as children of light” and to “walk circumspectly”.
To be strong, means to walk, move forward in our faith.
Joshua instructs the Lord’s army, Israel to be strong by knowing the Law (The Bible).
8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night,
that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.
For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:8-9
To be Strong in the Lord means to walk in His word, know his Word and to trust His Word.
Committing the Lord’s word to memory, doing what scripture says, not just reading the words is how we become strong in the Lord.
Notice the progression in verse 8, meditate...night and day causes one to observe what is written “For then”, what follows?
A prosperous way and good success, which is to be strong (vs. 9).
Scripture training is the way to spiritual strength.

So Will You Put On The Armor Of God Today?
If so Run To Him

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!
With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie

There will be more next week on The Armour Of God

Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit !:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s2wCVcmYOU&feature=fvw