“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil.
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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand.” – Ephesians 6:11-13
“Anything that does not strengthen me morally is the enemy
of virtue within me. Whether I overcome, thereby producing virtue, depends on
the level of moral excellence in my life. But we must fight to be moral.
Morality does not happen by accident; moral virtue is acquired. And spiritually
it is also the same. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation . . .”
(John 16:33). This means that anything which is not spiritual leads to my
downfall. Jesus went on to say, “. . . but be of good cheer, I have overcome
the world.” I must learn to fight against and overcome the things that come
against me, and in that way produce the balance of holiness. Then it becomes a
delight to meet opposition. Holiness is the balance between my nature and the
law of God as expressed in Jesus Christ.” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest)
Have you thought about living the Christian life as a
battle? It is you know. We must be
disciplined like a soldier to live this new life in Christ …
“You therefore
must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself
with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a
soldier. And also if anyone competes in
athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” – 2 Timothy 2:3-5
Holiness does not just happen. Walking after the Spirit and not the flesh is
intentional. In the Army they say that
“you fight the way you train” meaning that if you don’t prepare yourself for
battle, you will not do well when the battle comes. In Ephesians the Apostle
Paul describes the weapons of spiritual warfare that the Lord has provided …
"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with
truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the
preparation of the gospel of peace; above
all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked one. 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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints…” – Ephesians 6:14-18
Don’t be caught sleeping on duty. A term we used in the Army was that we should
be “leaning forward in the foxhole”.
That means be ready every day, every hour, every minute. That just reminded me of a song .. “If we
ever needed the Lord before .. we sure do need Him now and we need Him every
day and every hour.” So Christian, my encouragement to you today is this … suit up soldier! Get ready for the
battle that you are sure to face.
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be
strong. Let all that you do be done with
love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For
His Glory Alone
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