Our Armour and Our Weapons                          Part 3 – Gospel of Peace

Standing in Peace

Ephesians 6:15 “…your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace…”

Last time we looked at the “breastplate of righteousness” The breastplate of righteousness protects our vital organs and especially our heart. Wounded, guilt-ridden, condemned hearts cause many would-be champions to retreat from the battle. Knowing we have “right-standing with God” enables us to have confidence in our relationship with God and therefore confidence when confronting the enemy.

Today we look at the sandals Roman soldiers wore. These had cleats on the bottom of them. Those cleats were to dig in and stand in the face of battle. We don’t want to be a “push-over”. In the midst of the battle we need stand strong.

What is meant by “the preparation of the gospel of peace”?

“Preparation” is the Greek word that refers to the basis of something, the foundation of something and the firm footing of something.

“Gospel of peace” is the good news that Christ has made peace between God and man. “Peace” is a condition of freedom from disturbance. It is the gospel of “shalom” which implies health, well-being, and prosperity. It is the gospel of “reconciliation” which means it brings together those who were previously separated.

In the Amplified Bible we read, “And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

Putting it all together we are given a picture of a person who is at peace with God, others and himself. Such people will be able to go into battle to preach the gospel, heal the sick and help others in need because they are not self-centred, anxious or worried about themselves and their relationships with others. Such a person is not easily toppled by offence, criticism or accusation. Whenever we go into any situation with a lack of peace in our heart we are susceptible to stumbling.

Because of the Gospel of peace we can be at peace and let others know that they can also live with peace in their heart.

Through Christ I have peace with God and His peace dwells in me!

 Unite My Heart                             

Scripture – Psalm 86:11 “Teach me Your way, O Lord, I will walk in Your truth. Unite my heart to fear You.”

Observation – David’s great desire is to walk in God’s ways. There are many ‘ways’ but unless they are God’s ways they lead to trouble and destruction. David is aware that it is very easy to end up with a divided heart – the influence of the world can be strong. A divided heart is unstable. A united heart – one that is single and fully devoted to the Lord is stable and sound and keeps us in the fear of the Lord.

Application – My prayer; my desire is to walk in God’s way s and His truth. Like Paul I can pray this prayer because I am aware of the temptation and philosophies of this world. I need to pray for a united/single heart. I need His grace to do what I need to do. While it is my responsibility I can still ask for Him to help me. In fact my own efforts in my own strength will fail.

Prayer – Lord teach me Your ways. Show me how to live successfully as a man of God in this world. It can be confusing at times. Unite my heart so I am single minded and single hearted.

I really want to walk in the truth – not in my own imagination. Lord settle my mind and reveal Your ways I pray.

Scripture – 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”

 Observation – Paul is about to “depart” this world, but knows he has fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith. It has been a fight against much opposition for many years. Satan has been after him, people have left him and it has not been easy. Yet he has done this with great faith and faithfulness.

 Application – This is every committed Christian’s dream – to have fought a good fight; finished the race and kept the faith. What awaits Paul and all who love the Lord’s appearing is a crown of righteousness.

This is a strong encouragement for us to keep in going with the Lord in spite of the many difficulties that we face. Circumstances were certainly bad through much of Paul’s ministry but he had learned how to walk with the Lord through it all.

Like Paul, I certainly need an abundance of God’s grace to live this Christian life. Thank God He has provided it. I can’t think of anything worse than to fail towards the end and not finish the race. Towards the end many do appear to ‘drop the ball’ in one way or another. It does not necessarily mean they don’t make it to heaven; it just means that they could have left having completed their life’s calling.

Prayer – Lord I ask for an extra input of grace to enable me to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith. I know I will continue to believe in you all the way through, however I would love to fulfil your purpose and plans for my life. Thank You for GRACE.

26/6/09   Be Strong in Grace                                 

 Scripture – 2 Timothy 2:1 “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is Christ Jesus.”

 Observation – Paul is exhorting Timothy to be strong in the favour and empowerment that is in Christ Jesus. This could refer to the grace that Jesus had or it could refer to the grace that is ours ‘in Christ Jesus’. The second is more likely.

Grace gives the idea of being a gift of God’s goodness, not something we earn by our efforts. Timothy is therefore being encouraged to recognise and believe in and live out of the truth that he has an abundance of grace to live the Christian life because he is in Christ.

 Application – I need to meditate upon the grace of God that is mine in Christ. As I do this and receive a greater and greater revelation of grace I undoubtedly will be able to reign in life to a greater measure. I need to realise that grace – God’s free unmerited favour and ability – will strengthen me. I can then be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

 Prayer – Lord, thank You so much for Your free unmerited favour and strength. There is therefore now no condemnation to me. I ask You to help me live free of guilt and shame and doubt. I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

I am more blessed and freer than I know.

Thank You for placing me into Your body. Revelation Lord – more revelation.

25/6/09           Stir Up the Gift Within          

 Scripture – 2 Timothy 1:6-7 “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

 Observation – Paul is exhorting Timothy to stir up the gift of God. Is this a specific gift corrected to Timothy’s ministry or is it the gift of the Holy Spirit? Timothy may have been struggling with fear and Paul is reminding him that the Spirit is certainly not a spirit of fear! He is a Spirit of love, power and a sound mind. One must ask how do we stir up the gift within us. Maybe it is bringing it to remembrance. Maybe it is rejecting and casting down thoughts that are contrary to the Spirit – such as fear, doubt, anxiety and unbelief. Maybe it is declaring who we are in Christ - who God says we are and confessing the gifting and callings God has given us. Maybe it is speaking the truth about the Spirit in us, rather than concentration on the flesh and what are mind tells us, or the accuser tells us.

 Application – I will stir up to remembrance who I am in Christ and who I am after the Spirit. I will confess that I have the Spirit of power, love and a sound mind. I will remember the words that have been spoken over me – concerning my calling and my favour with God and man.

I will cast down all the accusing thoughts of the enemy.

Prayer – Lord, I am called by You and have received You. I have a very bold, positive, friendly, positive sound-minded spirit who has been indwelt by You!

 Many people find it difficult to forgive. This is often because they do not understand what forgiveness is and how it is applied.

 Forgiveness is a decision we make to release a person from our condemnation and judgment.

Forgiveness is full of grace (unmerited favour) because it is giving someone something they do not deserve.

Forgiveness is full of mercy because it is deciding not to give something they do deserve.

We are the recipients of God’s grace and mercy.

 Our willingness to forgive should not be dependent on how people respond to us. They may continue to be nasty and not give any evidence of being sorry for their actions.

 Extending grace and forgiveness sets us free. When we forgive, we no longer need to spend precious emotional energy thinking about the day oppressors will get what they deserve. Forgiveness lifts a weight from my shoulders and places on God’s shoulders.

 Actually He is the only one who understands the thoughts and intents and motives of a person’s heart and therefore is the only one who can judge fairly.

 People who wait for the person who has wronged them to repent or be sorry before they forgive them can spend their life in captivity to unforgiveness, resentment and bitterness.

 There are many very unjust things done in our world. When we can forgive those who refuse to listen to God’s command to do justice, it can allow them to hear God’s judgment without feeling a personal judgment from us. Forgiveness is releasing a person from our own personal judgment.

 “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13)

Our Armour and Our Weapons                  Part 2 – Righteousness

Last time we looked at the “belt of truth” that enables us to fight in the battle without being tripped up by lies and deception; and that provides the scabbard for the “sword of the Spirit”.  The more we know the Truth and the more truth we know, the more our hearts and minds will be full of truth that the Holy Spirit can bring to mind in every situation we face.

This week we look at the “breastplate of righteousness”. The breastplate of righteousness protects our vital organs and especially our heart. Wounded, guilt-ridden, condemned hearts cause many would-be champions to retreat from the battle. Righteousness means “right-standing with God”. Sometimes it is translated “justified” which means that I can stand before God “just-as-if-I’d-never-sinned”.

In the battle one of the major weapons the devil uses against us is condemnation. He knows that when our heart condemns us we do not have confidence towards God. When in a battle a soldier must have confidence. When a soldier’s confidence is broken down, fear can easily take root, he is unable to fight effectively and he is easily defeated.

1 John 3:19-21 “And by this we know the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For is our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence towards God.”

Thank God He is greater than our heart! If we allow Him to do it, He will heal our heart and give us an assurance of His acceptance and favour that empowers us for further action.

 The following verses of Scripture are tremendous righteousness faith builders.

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

(That Christ, the righteous Son of God was willing to “become sin” for us, reveals just how much He loves us.) 

Romans 3:21-24 “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…”

(By faith in Jesus Christ, God’s righteousness is made available to all who believe. This is righteousness that has nothing to do with keeping the law. It is freely given as a result of God’s grace – unmerited favour – because of the great price Jesus paid to redeem us.)

Romans 5:4 “But to him who does not work (at keeping the law) but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness”

Romans 5:17 “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Righteousness is a gift. It can’t be earned. When we realise that what we have is because of an abundance of grace (unmerited favour) and it is a gift we can have tremendous confidence that God is for us. No wonder we can reign in life, and that includes having authority over “all the power of the enemy”.

Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

The devil is called the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10). When Jesus ascended into heaven, the devil who accused man “day and night,” was cast down. In heaven no accusation against a believer is received. Every believer is seen in Christ and therefore seen as righteous and deserving of no condemnation. However on earth the devil, true to his nature, condemns Christians continually. When we believe his lie we come under condemnation and although legally free from it (from God’s point of view) suffer the consequences of it.

In this battle it is essential that we believe “there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

Before I conclude this part of our series on “The Armour and Weapons of our Warfare” I want to clarify something that can confuse people. Paul says that we are “to put on” the amour. Does this mean it is something separate from us and needs to be put on each day? No, it is something that is ours already, but like everything, we apply it by faith. It is not something that we must religiously put on as if it is some superstitious ritual. It is more to do with an attitude we have. For me it more like checking that my armour is in place and that I haven’t allowed condemnation, doubts, fears and wrong thinking to get a hold. Many mornings I go through the check list and thank God for supplying me with His armour. I am actually strengthening my confidence and faith in the finished work of Christ. If I forget to do it on any particular morning it doesn’t mean that I head out into my day without my armour.

Glory to God for the most amazing, underserved gift of righteousness!

Your fellow-warrior (not worrier) in Christ,

Richard