For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
I continue my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I move to a more detailed examination of Ephesians 6:10-20. For this morning, I read Paul's words to "[p]ut on the whole armor of God" (v10) as a battle cry, with both excitement and vigor. Believers MUST see our time in our earthly bodies as a battle for our soul. The encouragement here of course is that Jesus Christ has won this battle! "It is finished" as Jesus cries out from the cross as written in John 19:30 - see also this post from John Piper. That is how Paul, from prison when he writes the prison epistles (including Ephesians), is able to be so full of hope and boldly proclaim the gospel. Despite the darkness of our world, and how it is full of sickness, addiction, death, sin, war, suffering, and pain, we can be full of hope and boldness. We have Christ and we can stand on how He has already won! We must stand, and we must also, as Paul asks, pray for one another!
To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:18b-20
For additional great resources, see this post on DesiringGod.com regarding addiction to digital devices and this post from John Piper on the power of Jesus' words from John 19:30 and how we must use this power to tell the world about Jesus.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for winning the battle against the darkness of this world - for me! Incredible! I am not deserving of such a blessing that is truly hard to grasp in terms of its riches! My sin is great and it continues. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
