Put on the Gospel of God

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Putting on the armor of God is like putting on the gospel of God – you arm the mind and heart  with what God has done for us in Christ – “the mystery of the gospel.” And having armed your mind with the gospel, you are prepared to take a stance against what the world, your flesh, and the devil tells you differently about life. Each piece of the armor is like a piece of the gospel that shapes our identity in Christ. Read Ephesians 6:10-20, then spend some time in prayer asking the Lord for grace to arm your heart for this week’s walk of faith.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
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.

 

Jesus Christ is my “belt of truth.” Therefore I reject any claim on how to live my life if it does not lead to knowing Christ more fully.

Jesus Christ is my “breastplate of righteousness.” Therefore I reject all performance-based impulses that attempt to impress a Holy God.

Jesus Christ is my “shoes for my feet.” Therefore I will gladly embrace the truth that reminds me that God is no longer angry with me; he has defeated my sin on the cross and now I stand firm in the gospel of peace.

Jesus Christ is my “shield of faith.” Therefore I reject any notion that Christ is insufficient for what it takes to persevere to the end. When I begin to doubt and linger too long around the campfires of the devil, I will move in faith to Christ, for he has prayed for me and I will return to the hard and narrow way that leads to eternal life.

Jesus Christ is my “helmet of salvation.” Therefore I reject any and all propositions that attempt to undermine my identity as “in Christ.” I will preach the gospel to my head and heart when the world calls me to assimilate my faith to its idolatry.

Jesus Christ is my “sword of the Spirit.” Therefore I will at all times take up the Word of God, praying in the Spirit, to stay alert to any scheme of the Devil that attempts to dethrone Christ in my heart. Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords! No worldly offer of personal peace and prosperity can match what I already have in Christ. No kingdom of man can over-rule the Kingdom of God. My life is not my own, for I was bought with a price and therefore I will glorify the Lord with my whole being until he returns.

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