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Tuesday, June 30, 2020

#ProperAttire

He didn't even say "I beseech you."  He just said, "be strong.....and put on..." Paul was writing a letter to the people that belonged to the church in the city of Ephesus.  He was concerned about their welfare and he knew what a wicked city they lived in.  He knew that they were struggling and that it wasn't an easy, just enjoy your days kind of life they faced.  They had to develop a different mind set.

He went on the tell them what exactly they needed to 'put on' and why.  He described it in a picture they were used to seeing - a soldier's armor.  Rome occupied most all the regions in Europe and the mid-east and soldiers were everywhere. The Ephesians saw fully armed Roman soldiers on every street corner.  It was a perfect idea to help these Christ followers see how they were to be properly dressed.

The first piece he mentioned to put on was the belt of truth. The belt a soldier wore around his waist held everything together. Jesus called Himself as 'The Truth'. Jesus will hold a soldier together. Next, was the breastplate of righteousness. This breastplate covered the main parts of a soldier's body and protected it. Jesus is righteousness personified. The next item was shoes. A Roman soldier's shoes had cleats on the soles to provide them with secure standing and walking. Paul called these shoes 'the preparation of the Gospel of Peace'.  Jesus gives the believer 'peace that passes understanding'.  Then, Paul tells them to take up the shield of faith.  Believers have faith in Jesus.  Then, Paul says to put on their heads the helmet of Salvation.  The helmet covered their mind and their spirit and protected the soul from harm.  Jesus is the savior.  He is salvation.  Lastly, they were to take up the sword of the Word of God.  Jesus is the Word become flesh.

Jesus is every piece of the armor we are urged to put on each and every day.  We are to be wearing this armor in order to pray at all times in the Spirit and to be on the alert because we are in a struggle with spiritual powers.  We can be strong and confident wearing this armor provided for us by God Almighty.  We can pray and prevent God's arch enemy from gaining ground.  We are in a battle with eternal consequences and today we can't just enjoy our days.  It is a fight to the finish.

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