This morning, we wrap up our study of the armour of God.
Our study to date:
- Part one - Holy War
- Part two - The Enemy
- Part three - A Command
- Part four - When?
- Part five - The Belt of Truth
- Part six - The Breastplate of Righteousness
- Part seven - The Shoes
- Part eight - The Shield
- Part nine - The Helmet
- Part ten - The Sword
- Part eleven - Prayer
- Part twelve - Light
If you missed any of the issues in this series, you can find them at our website
http://gleaningsfromtheword.com Simply follow the Armour Of God link.
This morning, I'm going to slip in and out of the King James version to discuss
the final piece of the armour. Armour is not a term all translations use in the
context of the last piece of our study.
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on
the right hand and on the left
2 Corinthians 6:7 KJV
In part six, we discussed the importance of the breastplate of righteousness.
Here we see the armour of righteousness appear under a slightly different guise.
When this verse is viewed in context, an important concept is brought forward.
As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he
says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped
you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance;
in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in
hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and
kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the
power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded
as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten,
and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich;
having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 NIV
Paul starts by addressing the believers as "God's fellow workers". That's a vital
piece of information. You see being a believer is not about getting our personal
needs met. It can happen, God does meet our needs in wondrous ways, but that's
not what being a Christian is about. To be a Christian is to be God's fellow worker.
We're given the blessing of love, forgiveness and eternal life. We're also given
the responsibility of taking the love of Jesus into the world. It's not always
easy, even with the armour on. Paul's list of struggles is pretty intimidating
stuff, yet he knew it was worth all that and more.
I'm going to be blunt here and it might offend some of you. You can skate by
into heaven on your backside, but you'll miss out on the tremendous rewards, growth
and blessing that God has in store for you. There are times when we all need to
just be ministered to, but God created YOU to be a minister.
If all your faith means is going to church and being fed, you've missed the point.
It's time to get your backside off the pew and go out and serve. It's time to be a blessing not instead of simply seeking to be blessed. It's time to take the truth to a dark, hurting and dying world that desperately
need the love of Jesus.
It's not just a job for "professionals", in fact the early church had no professionals.
It's a job God designed for all of us to take part in. God had gifted you and
given the armour. Put it on and put those gifts to work.
We're called to give of our time, our resources and ourselves. When the sleeping
giant that is the church rises up and fills the mandate given her by God, the
world will tremble in awe, fear and wonder.
Until next time, dust off the armour and step into the fray. It's what God created
you to do. Your part is vital to the cause.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
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