“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Romans 13:12-14Romans 13:12-14
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12 The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
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These verses present the Armor of God in a totally different aspect from that which we normally see presented. In the midst of the battle, Paul tells us to “clothe [our]selves with the Lord Jesus Christ.” Just how does this relate to the Armor of God as presented in Ephesians 6?
In Ephesians, we are told first to be girded with the belt of truth. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:6John 14:6
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6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
WP-Bible plugin) When we are “clothed” in Jesus, His truth surrounds us and protects us, providing a sure foundation for our Christian life.
Next, we need to have the breastplate of righteousness in place. 1 Corinthians 1:301 Corinthians 1:30
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30 But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
WP-Bible plugin tells us that Christ has been made our righteousness. We have been declared righteous because He is righteous; and we have been given His Spirit, Who has come to live in our hearts and transform our lives into His righteousness.
The shoes of the Gospel of Peace come next, and here too we find Jesus, for Ephesians 2:14Ephesians 2:14
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14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition,
WP-Bible plugin declares that “He Himself is our peace.” Through Christ, we who once were God’s enemies have been brought into His own family. Not only that, but He has given us His peace, so that we need not be troubled or dismayed by whatever circumstances life may throw at us. (John 14:27John 14:27
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27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
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As we put on the helmet of salvation, we know that the very Name, Jesus, means “YHWH saves.” It is Christ Himself Who protects our minds from the accusations and temptations of the evil one.
In taking up the shield of faith, we need not be discouraged that our own faith is small and weak, and may not be up to the task at hand. We can choose instead to say with Paul, “I live by the faith of the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20Galatians 2:20
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20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
WP-Bible plugin KJV). We know, too, that God’s faithfulness is our shield (Ps 91:4Ps 91:4
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4 He will cover you with his feathers.
Under his wings you will take refuge.
His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.
WP-Bible plugin), and where better is God’s faithfulness expressed than in Jesus?
The sword of the Spirit, Ephesians tells us, is the Word of God. Both the written Word and the prophetic Word are “living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword” (Heb 4:12Heb 4:12
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12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
WP-Bible plugin), but both derive their power from the Living Word Who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14John 1:14
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14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
WP-Bible plugin), the Lord Jesus Christ.
When we are “clothed in Christ”, living by the power of His Spirit within, He becomes our armor. We do not have to struggle and strive to put it on, but just to stand in what He has already given us. “Stand firm, then …”
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This blog is © copyright Lynn Fowler.
There is one God, and one mediator between God and people, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:51 Timothy 2:5
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5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
WP-Bible plugin)in Whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2:9Colossians 2:9
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9 For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,
WP-Bible plugin)and Whom God the Father has exalted to the highest place, giving Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11Philippians 2:9-11
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9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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