September
16, 2003
BE
STRONG IN THE LORD
"Finally,
my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His
might" (Ephesians 6:10, NKJV).
Paul
is warning his Christian brothers and sisters how to stand
against the rulers of darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness.
Paul himself, though very religious, had persecuted the followers
of Christ until the Lord met him on his way to Damascus and
revealed Himself to Paul. See the story in Acts 9. Even then
it was a number of years before Paul became the Apostle and
missionary to the Gentiles.
The Disciples
had difficulty comprehending Christ's mission. Thomas would
not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead till he could
place his finger into the wound made by the Roman soldier.
They had been with Jesus, they believed Him to be the Messiah,
but they did not understand the meaning of His life and death
and they did not fully appreciate Him until the baptism of
the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Even then, the Holy Spirit continued
to enlighten them regarding the mission and ministry of Christ
throughout life.
The priests
and rulers combined against Christ's followers, and many were
brought before councils, thrust into prison and put to death.
The world today, even the Christian world, does not comprehend
or appreciate what God has done and is doing to bring salvation
to every man, woman and child. He has given His Word to inform
us of His ways and to direct our path, the Savior to reveal
the character and love of our God and Creator, and His Holy
Spirit to live with us and in us and help us to comprehend
and understand the truth about God.
Paul
continued, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do
not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly
places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to withstand in the evil day, --. Gird your waist
with truth, - Put on the breastplate of [doing what is right],
[Go forward] with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
-- Take the shield of faith with which you will be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. - Take the helmet
of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word
of God; Pray always with all - supplication in the Spirit;
Be watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication
for all the [followers of God]" (Ephesians 6:11-18).
Be strong
in the power of the Lord's truth and might!
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