Dressing in Love

Ephesians 6-Part 3
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.    Ephesians 6:23-24


LET IT GLOW

Isn't it fun to get a valentine in the mail or from your sweetheart? I remember those valentine parties  while in elementary school. Each student would decorate a box, we would bring a valentine for everyone in our class, then put them into their box. We girls would giggle at the ones from the boys, thinking we were special to them, when in reality, their mothers probably made them sign and address their valentines to all the girls. Oh, such fun. That caused me to think, why can't I send my love to people via email? Of course I can. It only takes a few minutes to do it and they receive it immediately. (Due to the snow the last 2 weeks, I didn't  get any mailed.)

In our key verses, Paul is concluding, or wrapping up his letter to the church at Ephesus. I see his love for the people there as he sends them three things, which are also sent to us:
peace-Christ's gift
love with faith-love of the saints and faith in Christ
grace-unmerited favor.

Have you read God's love letter to you today? It is in the form of the Bible, you know. And how greatly He does love you and me.
Jeremiah 31:3 states, "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee."

To me, everlasting love does not end, but lasts forever. Thank You Father for Your love to me. I can dress in Your love today.


LET IT GROW

Are you ready to put on the clothing as necessary equipment for our spiritual battle? Paul uses the example of a Roman soldier getting ready for a military battle. So in like manner, we Christians must do battle with evil/devil daily. He knows what to use to tempt each of us into sin. I definitely want to be ready. I'm tired of
falling into his snares. Aren't you? It's time we take a stand for Christ, but we can't do it alone. We need Christ's help.

The MacArthur Bible Handbook states it like this:

There are six necessary pieces of spiritual armor with which God equips His children to resist and overcome Satan's assults. The spiritual equipment parrallels the standard military equipment worn by soldiers in Paul's day.

1. Belt of truth-The soldier wore a tunic of loose fitting clothing. Since ancient combat was largely hand-to-hand, the tunic was a potential hindrance and danger. The belt cinched up the loose material. The belt that pulls together all the spiritual loose ends is "truth" or, better, "truthfulness."
2. Breastplate of righteousness-A tough, sleeveless piece of leather or heavy material covered the soldier's full torso, protecting his heart and other vital organs. Because righteousness, or holiness, is such a distinctive characteristic of God Himself, it is easy to understand why it is the Christian's chief protection against Satan and his schemes.
3. Boots of the gospel-Roman soldiers wore boots with nails in them to grip the ground in combat. The gospel of peace pertains to the good news that through Christ believers are at peace with God, and He is on their side(Rom.5:6-10).
4. Shield of faith-The Greek word usually refers to the large shield that protected the soldier's entire body. The believer's continual trust in God's Word and promise is "above all" absolutely necessary to protect him or her from temptations to every sort of sin.
5. Helmet of salvation-The helmet protected the head, always a major target in battle. This passage is speaking to those who are already saved; therefore, it does not refer to attaining salvation. Rather, since Satan seeks to destroy a believer's assurance of salvation with his weapons of doubt and discouragement, the believer must be as conscious of his or her confident status in Christ as he or she would be aware of a helmet on the head.
6. Sword of the Spirit-A sword was the soldier's only weapon. In the same way, God's Word is the only weapon that a believer needs, infinitely more powerful than any of Satan's devices.

There we have it, friend. Now I know how, as a Christian, to dress daily. I need truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation assurance, and the Holy Spirit. If I don't have all of these, then I'm not fully dressed for a spiritual battle, am I? But there is one more thing. It's found in verse 18-prayer.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

How am I to pray? I'm to pray in the Spirit, on all occasions, and with all kinds of prayers and requests. As a prayer warrior, I should be alert and persistant, praying constantly and intensely. Like a guard keeping watch over the camp, the Christian is to be vigilant without a letdown. (Shepherd's Notes)
Also, I'm to pray without ceasing (1Thess. 5:17). Keep the lines of communication open with the Captain of our salvation. Prayer and the Word should never be separated. Parts of prayer include: confession, adoration, thanksgiving, petition, intercession, supplication. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Supplication in the Greek means a seeking, asking, a need, an entreaty, according to King James Dictionary. So I am to be persistant as I make specific requests of the Lord for all saints.

So when we feel like dropping the shield of faith, unbuckling my breastplate of righteousness, kicking off the shoes of the gospel of peace, and throwing down the sword of the Spirit, don't do it. Don't be dragged through the mud by the devil. Stand and fight. Use Scriptures in combat. Memorize it, put it on the frig. Keep it in our minds. With the Spirit's help, we can overcome and be victorious. We don't have to yield to temptations. We don't have to sin.


LET IT GO

Show God's love.

Get dressed daily in the armor of God and His love.

Keep praying for others.