Putting on the Armor of Christ sounds like something that is tangible, something that can be done with human strength. I write this second note (click here for the first note) about the Armor of Christ because of a conviction. The conviction desiring to clarify that the putting on of the Armor is not something we can grasp on our own but is something supernatural and of the heavenly realms.
When Paul writes about the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet, the hope of salvation, he is speaking writing in the context of end times. Also, the verse that he is pulling from in Isaiah 59, we find that this is discussing end times as well, where Christ comes and judges in perfect righteousness (Isa 59:17-18). So these things in which Paul is describing are things not of this world, but of heavenly and the spiritual realm.
Paul throughout his letter often reminds his sheep not to put their hope in this Life but the life to come and to not be deceived by false teachers. In fact 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Paul writes,
“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come (coming of our Lord Jesus Christ v.1) unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”
Be cautious of what people say of the things to come and always test what people say to what the Word tells us (1 Thes. 5:21). The Word tells us to put on the Armor, the Breastplate of faith and love, and the Helmet, the hope of salvation. This we know we need to do. So how do we do this?
The Holy Spirit is the gift in which we receive due to Christ death and resurrection. A few things that we know about the Holy Spirit is that He is God and the third part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is the mediator (1 Tim 2:5) in which translates our groans and thoughts with God, and is the Seal upon our hearts (1 Cor. 1:21-22) and the Key into Heaven.
The Holy Spirit is what allows us to be able and capable to put on the Armor of Christ, because He is God! What Paul writes is not to be concerned or worried about the End of Days but encourages us to be sanctified in Christ. So often we allow knowledge to flood our minds, and we contemplate the things we cannot comprehend, when instead the Lord desires us to pursue Him. I am confident the Holy Spirit will direct you in this (if you ask); that He will anoint you with faith and love, and give you joy in the hope of salvation.
Remember “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Rom. 10:9)” Trusting in this promise you can be confident that the Holy Spirit is sanctifying you and gives you the ability to put on the Armor of Christ, in so that you can be bold in your proclamation in which you share with other about Christ, and that you do not need to fear man or any evil. This sanctification leads to your glorification in heaven but, do not be fooled, this is not an easy task.
I end this note with Isaiah 59:19, which reminds us on how powerful our God is, “So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west And His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream Which the wind of the Lord drives.”
THINK! Do you believe in the power of the Holy Spirit? If so – When was the last time you relied on it? If not – What belief do you hold that creates this thought? Do you verbally proclaim Christ as Lord?
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Armor of Christ
1 Thessalonians is a book that I always come back refreshed to read. It is full of encouragement for fellow brothers and sisters to strive, to fight the good fight, to remember where they stand with the Lord. This write up is not about the entire book, though that would be fun to do one day, it is about what it means to put on the armor of God. We so often think of the armor of God from the letter to Ephesus.
I remember as a child hearing that Paul wrote those verses in the letter of Ephesians 6 partly due to the fact the Paul was constantly around Roman guards. Thinking about it now, I think that this makes sense, but I don’t really think this is what Paul was getting at. I think Paul had a greater image in mind. He had an image of a being that surpassed any Roman soldier; he had the image of God in mind.
Paul was what we could consider a genius when it came to the Old Testament. He was trained by the best and was destined to lead. He knew the Old Testament and he knew what the prophets had to say about the one to come, The Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 says this, “But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” This may sound very similar to what Ephesians 6 says, but I believe that this is actually being pulled from the prophet Isaiah. When Isaiah is prophesying about the Christ that is to come we read about this majestic image in which describes this mighty warrior/redeemer.
"... Now the Lord saw, And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice... Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him. He put on righteousness like a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle." - Isaiah 59:15-17
It was surprising to me when I first read the passage in 1 Thessalonians to not have it noted or directing me over to the book of Isaiah. Paul is not directly quoting this passage but only alluding to the idea of living at a higher standard. I do not know if the people who read and heard this letter made this connection of this reference.
The takeaway from this is that Paul is calling the church in Thessalonica (and all Christians) to live a life like Christ. To be affirmed in the fact that we have that power in us and protecting us because we have Christ. Paul may had been reminded of these passages of armor as he was in prison, but I believe he knew full well that he was challenging the people to live at a higher standard. To put on armor that is greater than the armor Roman soldier wore, and to win the battle through rejoicing, prayer, giving thanks, not quenching the Spirit, not despising prophetic gifts, holding fast to what is good, and abstaining from evil (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22).
So I end this note how Paul ends his first letter to Thessalonica, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (1 Thessalonians 5:28)” This is the grace in which allows us to be anointed with the majestic breastplate of faith and love and to put on a helmet, the hope of salvation.
THINK! What does it mean to put on the Breastplate and Helmet? Does it change how you view the armor knowing that it is a heavenly thing? How does this impact your daily walk?
Follow up Note: Armor of Christ: Spiritual Battle
I remember as a child hearing that Paul wrote those verses in the letter of Ephesians 6 partly due to the fact the Paul was constantly around Roman guards. Thinking about it now, I think that this makes sense, but I don’t really think this is what Paul was getting at. I think Paul had a greater image in mind. He had an image of a being that surpassed any Roman soldier; he had the image of God in mind.
Paul was what we could consider a genius when it came to the Old Testament. He was trained by the best and was destined to lead. He knew the Old Testament and he knew what the prophets had to say about the one to come, The Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 says this, “But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” This may sound very similar to what Ephesians 6 says, but I believe that this is actually being pulled from the prophet Isaiah. When Isaiah is prophesying about the Christ that is to come we read about this majestic image in which describes this mighty warrior/redeemer.
"... Now the Lord saw, And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice... Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him. He put on righteousness like a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle." - Isaiah 59:15-17
It was surprising to me when I first read the passage in 1 Thessalonians to not have it noted or directing me over to the book of Isaiah. Paul is not directly quoting this passage but only alluding to the idea of living at a higher standard. I do not know if the people who read and heard this letter made this connection of this reference.
The takeaway from this is that Paul is calling the church in Thessalonica (and all Christians) to live a life like Christ. To be affirmed in the fact that we have that power in us and protecting us because we have Christ. Paul may had been reminded of these passages of armor as he was in prison, but I believe he knew full well that he was challenging the people to live at a higher standard. To put on armor that is greater than the armor Roman soldier wore, and to win the battle through rejoicing, prayer, giving thanks, not quenching the Spirit, not despising prophetic gifts, holding fast to what is good, and abstaining from evil (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22).
So I end this note how Paul ends his first letter to Thessalonica, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (1 Thessalonians 5:28)” This is the grace in which allows us to be anointed with the majestic breastplate of faith and love and to put on a helmet, the hope of salvation.
THINK! What does it mean to put on the Breastplate and Helmet? Does it change how you view the armor knowing that it is a heavenly thing? How does this impact your daily walk?
Follow up Note: Armor of Christ: Spiritual Battle
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Praise is the Gospel
So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture
Will give thanks to You forever;
To all generations we will tell of Your praise.
- Psalm 79:13
How do people know we are followers of Christ? I think we can also ask the question how often do we praise/recognize what God has given us. We often think that when we are sharing the Gospel with others we have to condemn people, which lead us to not share the Gospel at all because we are afraid to do that. This is not the case, at least not at first. The word ‘gospel’ means good news. So to share the Gospel is to share the good news of what the Lord has done for you. Much like Psalm 79 is sharing here, we need to be giving praise and people will know who God is. Praise God in all that you do! But don’t keep these praises to yourself, share it with others. Let others know that you are a follower of Christ by giving praises always and recognizing that everything is from God. Doing this will also help your walk as you walk through life. Practicing that act of continual prayer and praise can only make your relationship stronger with the Lord. Satan would love for us to only reflect on how hard life is and why you are not as successful as you would like to be, but in reality we can rejoice in knowing that God guides our path and perseverance and preservation of the Saints. Let us be bold and share our praises with others, because our God is good!
Will give thanks to You forever;
To all generations we will tell of Your praise.
- Psalm 79:13
How do people know we are followers of Christ? I think we can also ask the question how often do we praise/recognize what God has given us. We often think that when we are sharing the Gospel with others we have to condemn people, which lead us to not share the Gospel at all because we are afraid to do that. This is not the case, at least not at first. The word ‘gospel’ means good news. So to share the Gospel is to share the good news of what the Lord has done for you. Much like Psalm 79 is sharing here, we need to be giving praise and people will know who God is. Praise God in all that you do! But don’t keep these praises to yourself, share it with others. Let others know that you are a follower of Christ by giving praises always and recognizing that everything is from God. Doing this will also help your walk as you walk through life. Practicing that act of continual prayer and praise can only make your relationship stronger with the Lord. Satan would love for us to only reflect on how hard life is and why you are not as successful as you would like to be, but in reality we can rejoice in knowing that God guides our path and perseverance and preservation of the Saints. Let us be bold and share our praises with others, because our God is good!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)