Again With the Armor

Romans 13:12,14 - ...let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light...put on the Lord Jesus Christ...

As I was preparing my day and putting on my spiritual armor of God, repeating all the components and thanking Him that He has given us this armor, new thoughts came to mind.

The armor, again, is comprised of: a helmet, breastplate, belt, shoes, shield and sword. Each one of these components by itself is important and useful but together are powerful. These are all available when we receive Christ as Lord and Savior. He is the light referred to above and I think you know where the darkness comes from.

Helmet - salvation. I'm thinking this is the number one piece of equipment. Without it we are weak and powerless. Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ.

Breastplate - righteousness. After salvation is received we become the righteousness of God, through this salvation, not because of anything we've done only by our receiving the free gift offered by God.

Belt - truth. We see truth in a different light. Jesus is that Light...John 1:9. Truth is miraculously revealed. The truth sets us FREE.

Shoes - Gospel of peace. These shoes help us get over the rough roads we will encounter. We are called to walk out the truth of our new life in Christ, stand by the good news of the Gospel, have faith in it and share the greatness of so great a salvation.

Shield - faith. This is the shield of faith we carry as we walk out our new lives in Christ. We trust in the plans God has for us even when we can't make sense of situations occurring in our lives.

Sword of the Spirit - Word of God. This Word encompasses all the other parts. It IS our salvation...He, the Word, is our salvation. He is our righteousness, He is our Truth. He is our peace. He is our faith. If you follow this blog you will hear me say time and again that He, Jesus Christ, is our all in all.

Without this armor we are powerless against the enemy of our souls. But with it we are victorious to win the most important battle of our lives, the fight for our eternal life. Receive Christ and put on your armor each day because, although His mercies are new each morning, the enemy is a deceiver and will always try to steal, kill and destroy.

Oh, putting on this spiritual armor verbally if the words and components are are not consciously thought out, may not protect as we desire. We must remember what it all stands for:

Remember the grace you received from past hurts, sin and suffering when salvation was first received.

Remember that no matter who looks at you and thinks it arrogant that you say you are righteous, you are by the saving grace and by the blood of the Lamb.

Remember you know truth and then stand for it. Test all things; hold fast what is good  1Thessalonians 5:21). That is what is honest, pleasant, profitable and the truth of Scripture.

Remember the peace that you now have and live in it. When others see the peace you have, share it.

Remember you can hold fast to your faith. When things don't look promising to the human eye look within and look up to the Author and Finisher of your faith.

Remember Who and what that sword stands for. The Word of God...both Man and Word. The Truth that speaks volumes to one who believes.

Isn't is marvelous that the Armor of God covers us like Christ's blood has covered us? Put on Christ, receive the armor and live a new life in Christ.

Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.