Strong in the Lord
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God . . . fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, which which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10, 14-17
Jesus never promised his disciples and those listening to him that their lives would be comfortable, secure, or safe if they chose to follow him. If anything, he warned them of the danger and sacrifice that lay ahead. No rosy pictures of status and worldly importance were painted, and there were no promises of prosperity and ease. Rather, Jesus taught and lived a gospel of service and being in relationship with God, with the assurance of eternal life as his saved and redeemed children.
As the Apostles taught, preached and spread the Gospel, the established governments, churches, and other institutions were threatened by the freedom people were finding in Christianity. Paul wrote to the new congregations throughout the area, encouraging and advising them, telling them more of Jesus’ teachings and explaining how to live by them. In a number of his letters, Paul also acknowledged the hardships and risks of claiming the faith, and assured the new believers that God is always with them even in times of persecution and danger.
The final chapter of Ephesians includes a stirring call to all Christians, and is as powerful and meaningful today as it was so many centuries ago. Reading this dramatic description of the cosmic powers of darkness and the spiritual forces of evil, there is no question that this struggle spans time and space. We are called upon to stand up to these powers, and are provided with the whole armor of God, which equips us with all that we need to strengthen and protect us.
Every day, around the world, people are faced with darkness and evil, but we are not alone or unprotected. Truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and God’s own word are not only weapons, they are instruments of peace, and they carry power beyond our comprehension. The conflict between the forces of good and evil has always existed, but we are assured that, however discouraging and frightening the present times may be, there is refuge and strength in God and his eternal Word.
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers
(P.S.: Read Psalm 46)