Hello my Church family!
It was a privilege participating in the Lord’s table with you yesterday. That was a really special experience as it should be. Families eat meals together, and communion is a meal that marks our true family identity as one family in Christ and with Christ in us as the bread & wine symbolized.
If I didn’t portray it well enough, let me say it again, the bread and wine symbolize not only Christ’s Body broken for us, but that He dwells in us now as a result of faith in His work for us on the Cross. In fact, it underscores our ‘union with Christ’ which I talked about yesterday in Ephesians 6. The energy of Christ, like bread, works powerfully within us, now! (Colossians 1:29). We do all that we do ‘in the Lord’ and ‘the Lord in us.’
In Colossians 1:29 , Paul reveals this kind of mindset behind his Christ centered work ethic: “For this I toil, struggling with all his energythat He powerfully works within me.”
And that’s the same perspective that we must have when it comes to our battle against the evil one. Remember that we are equipped for spiritual battle with Christ by our side, even in our soul! And for that reason, Paul tells us to “be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Put on the full armour of God…” (That should sound very similar to Paul’s perspective in Colossians 1:29 because it’s the same mindset as He has in Ephesians 6:10 – soldier on in the power of God’s strength!
& that’s the perspective which is the key in performing all that Paul elaborates on with the rest of Ephesians 6. Every piece of armor is wrapped up in our conscious effort to put on Jesus (not out of lack, but because we have Him!), & derived from a humble recognition that we are weak, but He is strong. We are gullible, but He is wise. We are stupid, but He is smart!
To stand, then, against the mental tricks and lies of Satan propagated and proposed in this world presupposes that we believe that we are weak in every way and that God is strong in every way AND that we have Him available to protect us. Hence, we are told to “put Him on!” (Rom. 13:14).
But again, we must LET Him protect us. Did you wake up this morning remembering your need for protection in Him and the availability of His protection?
But it’s also a group effort. Therefore, I’m praying that we all guard one-another together, as God intends His protection to work (1 John 5:18). In that way, don’t forget to pray for your spouse, children, and siblings in Christ today. Pray for those who God brings to your mind, but also make a point to pray intentionally. Stay connected to our Commanding Officer Who has all power (Eph. 6:18) to guard all of us.
Speaking of all power, here is a section of Scripture that helps us believe that this armor available to us in Christ is completely sufficient and all powerful to absolutely guard us from Satan and all of His schemes.
In Luke 11:20-23, Jesus makes this statement after casting out a demon:
“20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
Jesus is saying there that Satan’s power, like armor in demonic form, is less powerful than Him. That’s why Jesus could cast out demons with all authority. Jesus could break effortlessly into Satan’s domain/property because He’s the Stronger Man. Satan’s armor doesn’t stand a chance against Jesus. So the reverse is true. Satan can’t break into Christ’s refuge because Christ’s armor is stronger. He’s the stronger man.
Apply that to the schemes of the devil that we wrestle against. Jesus is the stronger and smarter Man. And if we let Him, He will absolutely guard us perfectly. Satan can’t break through.
Jesus doesn’t lack strength or protection. He is our Perfect Refuse, our Perfect Armour. We, however, do lack our complete dependance on Him and in Him. And that’s what makes us vulnerable to attack.
So arm up today in the power of Jesus and His Spirit. Know Him, love Him, and continue to draw close to Him, because in His arms, you are safe from all evil for His arms are your armour! (John 17:12, 15)
With love and a desire to protect the flock of Christ,
Aaron
