Getting the Job Done

 Okay, I promised you that we’d take a walk together through the armor of God in the next few weeks. Let’s go:

 

As I read Ephesians 6, the first thing that leaps out is that Paul is referring to powers and principalities that are not of this world. And, when I think about it, that fact of life is becoming more and more apparent these days. I also think it’s a sign of the times. 

 

Maybe I’m oversimplifying here, but it seems that there was a time when life, as we know it,  was more tied to spiritual values. Some folks call it “superstition”, but it’s more than that. Then, as “science and logic” picked up, Satan had to pick up his game and come at us in more subtle ways. Now, though, as Revelation prophecies begin to be fulfilled, he has to “go back to the basics” and pull out the more overt spiritual attacks. 

 

We’re seeing things happening now that in the past generation were just not so much a part of life, (late term abortion for example) and it tends to create in us an uneasy sense of fear. What’s looming ahead? How can I protect myself?

 

“Glad you asked,” says Paul. “Listen up.” First of all, note the words he’s using, like, “Take Up” and “Put on”.  He isn’t saying we have to go out and “try to get” or even that we have to “ask” or “pray" for these things.  

 

Why?  I believe that Paul believes we already have this armor, given to us at the moment we become children of the King.  The only thing lacking is our “taking” up of what we already have. But that’s not to suggest that it’s just a case of ‘getting dressed’. 

 

You’ll remember last week I talked about Magellan's state of his armor?  Here was a guy who possessed it already.  He didn’t need to order it from China and wait for it to arrive. What he needed (and what for him was his fatal flaw) was the proper instruction about how and where to put it on … like not while standing in waist-deep water.

 

So this last week Tony and I had a “Sleepover” (as the grandkids called it,) at our kids’ house.  Nathan and Kylie were due for a getaway for their anniversary and they kindly planned it in a busy time with the boys where there’d be little need for us to use our imagination to keep them entertained.  That was good, because they have plenty of energy…and we may fail in the imagination category, especially if we were to get into a panic. 

 

As I lay on the floor, momentarily exhausted from just picking them up from school, little Micah, aged 4, was ‘working’ in his room. Each of the three boys is uniquely different, and Micah is our “Tool Man”.  As soon as he knew how to blow raspberries, he was attaching the sound to any and everything he could pick up and use as a power tool.  Until he gets just a little older, we have to hide the key to the ride-on mower, because there is no doubt that he would try – and eventually succeed – at getting that thing started.

 

But I had to laugh as I watched him survey the situation in his room, then went and got his trusty tool belt.  After a little help getting it buckled up in the back, he was off to work. I couldn’t help but marvel at his ability to assess the right tool for every job, and then without looking, reach to the right place, every time.

 

Speaking of belts, Ephesians 6:14 says, “Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth.”

 

As Tony would say, “That’s a sermon that will preach itself.” And I expect that he hasn’t even considered the half of it. Give it some thought, and help us flesh it out, will you? I love your comments.

God made each of us with a need to know the truth. It’s a heart-level desire, and we can thank Him for installing it in each of us. 

 

Along with the need are the tools required to make the most of it. His Word and people’s experience will confirm that, I feel certain.

 

Have a blessed week, CYA next time!

 

Psa. 119:160 The sum of your word is truth;

and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.