"What's your position?" pt.2

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins gird about with Truth, and having on the breastplate of Righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace; Above all, taking the shield of Faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the Mystery of the Gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may boldly , as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6: 13-20

"stand"

In the last post, I shared that the Lord has given us everything we need for "life and godliness." He provided the world with the "free" Gift, by His Sacrifice, on the Cross. All we have to do is accept His Gift, take it. He doesn't leave us where He finds us, or as He found us. He walks with us and leads us, on a path of growth,and maturity. He equips us, to face life's trials and situations. With this provision,comes responsibility, to be a good steward of His Gift. Being a good steward means protecting this Gift in us, and the gifts He develops in us, and to utilize them for His Glory, according to His Plans,and Purposes.

The game of football ,has been called a"a hundred yard war", a game of inches. The picture of the football players,shows them with their protective equipment on, and in their positions, not only to advance into the oppositions territory, but also to make a stand against their opponents trying to gain ground against them. We also defend against our adversary , the devil, who is trying to come against us.

In a similar way, we are provided armour, to prepare us for this war with the forces of darkness. The enemy's intention for coming against us, is two-fold. First, he desires to gain ground in our lives, by utilizing his weapons of deceptions, thru life's situations and circumstances, to undermine, steal and destroy our faith. To get us to doubt our walk with the Lord. And in doing so, he tries to accomplish his second goal of undermining our part in advancing the Kingdom of God. I sometimes wonder if the enemy understands better, than the collective Church, the importance of the priesthood of all believers. The purpose of the Five-fold is to mature the Saints, for the work of the Ministry.

The work of the Ministry, making known the Purpose of the Son of God, by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Advancing the Kingdom of God, by the Power of the Holy Spirit. When we put on the "whole armour OF God", we are clothed in Him(Gal. 3:27). The armour is Him. His Virtue, His Truth, His Righteousness, His Peace, His Faith, His Salvation, And His Word. Psalms 91 Tells us that He covers us, shields us, and we need not be afraid. We are positioned in Him, clothed in Him, moving In Him, empowered In Him, to advance the Gospel, that breaks the yoke of the enemies bondage, we are more than conquerors in Him! When we, the Church understand who we are in Him, and His Plans and Purposes for us, we will take our positions, wherever He leads us, and know that we are able to confidently face the enemy, and "stand".