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True Security
November 11, 2011
During the Cold War—a period of unrest between major world powers in the last half of the 20th century—Americans lived under the threat of nuclear war. I recall that during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, we seemed to be a heartbeat away from annihilation. It was heady stuff for a sixth-grader.
One of my strangest memories of those turbulent times was the school safety drill. An alarm would sound, and we would hide under our desks—for protection from atomic bombs. Looking back, I’m certain it wouldn’t have helped us in the event of a nuclear holocaust. It may have even given us a false sense of security.
While we may not face the same level of nuclear threat today, there are still many dangers that scare us—and some of them are spiritual. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our battles are “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” These are mighty foes indeed, but God has given us His protective love (Rom. 8:35,38-39) and the spiritual resources of His armor (Eph. 6:13-17).
The result? While we face powerful enemies, “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37). In our heavenly Father, we have true security.
Though danger lurks on every side,
In Christ our Lord we will abide;
Our God is strong, our hope is sure—
In Him alone we are secure! —Fitzhugh
Safety is not found in the absence of danger,
but in the presence of God.
Read: Romans 8:31-39
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. —
Romans 8:37This past week I listened to a sermon about the whole armour of God. HE queried’ when we think of the soldier wearing this armour, what do we visualize?’
‘A Roman soldier ... right?’ It has been explained many times in this way. Well, he posited a new idea to me. "What if this armour was more spiritual than physical? ... Meaning the verses actually describe the priestly garments."
“Take unto you” ... “The breast plate of righteousness”, Exodus says of the priestly garments ...”the breastplate of judgment,” “standing and gird with TRUTH”.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”
feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel...(prepared and ready to go in peace,)
“taking the shield of FAITH, Where with we are able to QUENCH ALL the fiery darts of the wicked "
Take the helmet of SALVATION (knowing, believing we have given our life to Christ Jesus and he has accepted us).
and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication for all saints.
Being an ambassador for Christ Jesus. ... as I ought.
___________________________________________________________ I did not do this justice. Sorry. The idea that there was another way to consider the full armour of God as being the priestly dress of the saints.
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Ephesians 6:11-20
King James Version (KJV)
“11.Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12.For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13.Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14.Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15.And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16.Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17.And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18.Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19.And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20.For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
...
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