Stand Firm in the Gospel [Ephesians 6]

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.


 

The book of Ephesians started with the gospel and ends with the gospel.  The gospel is about God's grace; because of what God has done through Christ we can, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." He reminds us that our struggle is not  with people. Ultimately it is against the schemes or traps of the devil. It is his deception that rules in "the world forces of this darkness" and in "the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."


How can we stand when evil is swirling around us? What will protect us from falling into the traps of wickedness?  God's truth.  God's truth about His righteousness He has given us to wear.  The truth about walking in the gospel of peace.  The true faith that will "extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."  The truth about our salvation that will protect our mind from all the questions that come darting at us.  This truth is found in the Word of God.  We are fully protected by God's truth as we embrace it each moment. 

Someone said that we should preach the gospel to ourselves each day.  Better yet, we should let God's word saturate us with the gospel each day!  The only way we can do this is through "the strength of His might." Remember that God has done and is doing the work.  He invites us to step into His work as we take on the armor of truth He has provided for us through His Spirit.

I praise You, Father, for the mightiness of Your power.  I exalt You for giving me Your truth in scripture.  I praise You that You are inviting me to step into Your work through embracing the truth of who You are and what You are providing.

Verna McCrillis, 7/10/2009
Feedback:
Beth (Guest) 07/10/2009 10:33
Great job! It is all about the gospel and our confession in Christ!