Everything To Stand – Part 7
January 21, 2010Pastoral Counsel – Jen Miller
Crisis: 309.712.5149
Appointment: jen@sara-ministry.com
Jen is a…
Part 7: Continuing study of Ephesians 6:13-14
“…and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm…”
By guest writer, Randi Shaffer.
Let’s visit the previous post to remind us what this armor business is all about…
Roman legionaries: they are known as history’s most disciplined and skilled soldiers…professional soldiers. These men committed themselves not to simply fight the most contemporary campaign, but to twenty-five years of service. They trained relentlessly. They were never found without their armor. They conditioned their bodies to endure the most rigorous challenge.
Simply put, they were ‘always ready’ so as to not be “caught off guard” by the enemy.
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” –Ephesians 6:14-15
We’ve already discussed the importance of the “belt of truth” and the necessity of humbly putting it on. Now we move to Paul’s instruction to have the “breastplate of righteousness in place” (and, no, this isn’t a discourse about the proper undergarment for a modest Christian woman). Next time, we’ll examine the footwear. 
The “breastplate” worn by a Roman soldier of Paul’s day would have probably looked like this:
The purpose of the breastplate was purely defensive. Its job was to protect the soldier’s torso, and thus, his most vital organs (heart, lungs, stomach).
If a vital organ is critically injured, the consequences are severe—sometimes fatal.
Paul says our spiritual breastplate is righteousness:
Righteousness = standing upright
Righteousness is the state of being in a right relationship with God, and acting in ways that agree with His standards.
When we are ‘right’ with God, we feel as though we can ‘stand upright’ and not be embarrassed or ashamed.
Remember, Ephesians 6:14-15 says we must buckle the belt of truth around our waist, and we must have the breastplate of righteousness in place. How do we get the breastplate in place? We have to put it on! Look again at the picture of the breastplate. That was not easy to put on. In fact, soldiers could not put it on by themselves, they helped each other put them on and buckle and lace them up.
In the same way, we cannot put on righteousness for ourselves. The only way we can be cloaked in righteousness is if Jesus puts it on for us! Jesus is the only way we can have a right relationship with God. And it is only through the Holy Spirit that we are able to act in agreement with God’s standards. And it is with the help of other believers standing armored with us, helping each other with our armor that gives us greater encouragement to ‘stand firm’.
So what does righteousness protect us from? Fatal spiritual injury.
Remember, Ephesians 6 explains we are in a spiritual battle. If we refuse to allow Jesus to cloak us in righteousness, we will die spiritually for eternity. Each of us is guaranteed that our souls will exist for the rest of time, beginning with the moment we were conceived… but how do you want to exist?
Jesus says that He gives us abundant and eternal LIFE. The alternative is a meaningless and miserable EXISTENCE. The moment we allow Jesus to cloak us in His righteousness, that abundant and eternal life begins!
But, even then, we must keep the breastplate in place in order to enjoy an abundant life here on earth. Each un-forgiven, repeated sin compromises our armor. It makes us vulnerable to serious injury at the hand of our spiritual enemy.
- Our dishonesties enable Satan to lie to us.
- Our sexual sins give Satan permission to take away our purity.
- Our addictions give Satan power to enslave us.
- Our negative and critical spirit begs Satan to breed more discontentment.
I’m writing this teaching just as much for myself as for anyone of you. Let’s help each other to have the strongest armor with the most integrity we can possibly have as a church body.
- If you don’t have a training partner—get one!
- If you don’t listen to others when they try to give you feedback—stop it; listen!
- If you aren’t praying regularly—start now!
(We have seasoned, selfless women of faith standing ready to partner with you. Contact Kristie Toniny, our Discipleship & Prayer Coordinator.)
Most importantly, if you haven’t allowed Jesus into your life to cover youand begin changing you from the inside-out, talk to Him. Simply ask Him to give you LIFE. He promises He WILL. If you decide to take this most important, eternal LIFE step, please let Coach Mark, Coach Bob, Coach Jen Miller, or myself know your decision so we can help you on your journey!
Mirror-Check Time
What sins are compromising the integrity of your armor? Remember, the first step is simply admitting you have a problem!
Check back as we continue to examine the “full armor of God”!
Joy Copyright 2010 Jen Miller – All Rights Reserved
‘Morning Message’ is a ministry of The Sara Ministry
IF YOU WISH TO SUBSCRIBE OTHERS
to receive our ‘Morning Message’, simply send your list of names and email addresses to: saraministry2007@gmail.com. Your contacts may unsubscribe at any time.
HAS GOD GIFTED AND CALLED YOU TO SERVE AS A WRITER? DO YOU HAVE THAT URGING IN YOUR SPIRIT TO SHARE GOD’S WORD, HIS PRINCIPLES AND PROMISES WITH OTHERS THROUGH WRITING? If so, we invite you to contact us about joining our writing team as we strive to deliver a fresh, short Morning Message 7 days a week.
UNSUBSCRIBE: If you wish to no longer receive the Morning Message, simply reply to this email with: Please Remove.
CONTACT: saraministry2007@gmail.com
WEB SITE: www.sara-ministry.com
