Issue #1,178 September 14,2004
Armour of God - Part Four - When?
This morning, we continue our study of the armour of God.
Our study to date:
- Part one - Holy War
- Part two - the Enemy
- Part three - a Command
In the epistle to the Ephesians, we see the verses most believers think of when
the topic the armour of God is mentioned.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour
of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle
is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when
the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have
done everything, to stand. 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. In addition to
all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming
arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds
of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying
for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV
We're commanded to put the armour of God to be able to stand. When are we to
stand? When the day of evil comes, and when we have done all else. "Therefore
put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be
able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
When will the day of evil come? When will we need the armour? The Scriptures
tell of a day when:
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be
lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to
their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without
self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers
of pleasure rather than lovers of God -- having a form of godliness but denying
its power. Have nothing to do with them.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV
Sounds like a time of evil to me. It sounds like the world today (and yesterday
and tomorrow as well). People can debate whether or not we are in the end times
or exactly when the second coming will happen, but I think one would be hard pressed
to say the day is not evil.
The day of evil is upon us and has been since the fall from grace at the Garden
of Eden. Today is the day to put on the armour and to stand.
Until next time, rejoice. The day of evil may be upon us, but we can stand against
the tide, buoyed up by a holy, righteous and loving God.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
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