The Breastplate of Righteousness.

          Having put on the breastplate of righteousness.
                  Ephesians 6:14b


     To understand what Paul is saying to us, we need to understand what righteousness is.
     There is that aspect of righteousness that deals with our acceptance by God. We have been justified through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and therefore are now reconciled to God. He has forgiven us our sins, and now deals with us as if we had never sinned.
     Righteousness also consists in purity of heart. A righteous individual is one who desires to please God. It is his heart's desire to obey God, not for reward, but an obedience flowing out of love.
     It is only natural that one who desires to please God with all of his heart, will indeed do so. Works of righteousness will flow out of such a heart. This is the individual who has presented himself to God as one alive from the dead (Romans 6:13). He has become a slave of righteousness (Romans 6:16,17,18), leading to sanctification, and eternal life (Romans 6:22-23).
     This is not to say that it is our good works that lead to salvation. Salvation is a life long process to be worked out (Philippians 2:12-13). We work it out by faith. Jesus died to free us from the sinful lives that we have all lived. He died that we might bear the fruit of righteousness for His glory. A righteous life is proof that we are indeed righteous in the eyes of God (1John 2:29, 3:7).
     A breastplate protected the vital organs of a soldier. Likewise, an upright person is blessed (Psalm 5:12, 106:3). God watches over and protects those who are righteous (Psalm 37:39-40, 84:11). It is when we turn from this purity of heart, that we are the most vulnerable. We cannot expect God's favor and protection while living in disobedience to Him.
     Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Stand justified before a Holy God, through the blood of Jesus. Put on the wedding clothes of righteous deeds (Rev 19:8). Be upright in heart, and by the grace of God you will prevail. 
    
    

Truth

     Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with the truth.
                        Ephesians 6:14a


     Truth is foundational for everything else. What good is it to believe something, to shape your life by those beliefs, only to find out in the end that it was error?
     To live the Christian life it is of utmost importance to be grounded in truth. People today like to think that there are many religious systems, and it is merely a matter of one's personal preference which one they will follow. This is absurd, there is only one true God, and He is worshipped according to truth (John 4:23-24).
     Jesus said That He was the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). He said that His disciples would know the truth, and the truth would set them free (John 8:31-32).
     In contrast, the devil, who is behind false doctrine, does not stand in the truth (John 8:44). It is through deception, that he leads multitudes into error. We must be diligent to test every spirit (1John 4:1). Study the word of God. It is truth. Don't blindly believe everything you hear a pastor, teacher, or anyone else for that matter, say. Does it line up with the word of God?
     God promises that His followers will have an anointing from Him that will protect them from error (1John 2:20-21,27). A true disciple will know the voice of Jesus. He will not follow a stranger (John 10:4-5). When John wrote "greater is He that is in you, than he who is in the world," he was writing about overcoming deception (1John 4:1-5).
     Like a belt, the truth holds everything together. If your armor is held in place by the truth, you will prevail. If it is held by deception, false doctrine, and lies, you will certainly fall.

Be Strong in the Lord.

     Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
                             Ephesians 6:10 NASB


     The spiritual battle we face is one that cannot be fought in our own strength. We are mere human beings fighting against principalities and powers that we cannot see, and know so little about. Human resources and physical strength are of little use in a conflict that is spiritual in nature.
     Our salvation is found in Christ and Him alone (Psalm 62:5-6). It is in Him that we find the strength we need to face the trials and temptations that come our way. We are bound to fail if we do not rely on Him at all times.
     Too many Christians feel self confident. They have the pull yourself up by the bootstraps mentality. We have too many self help books, too many seminars for life's issues, too many Christian psychologists, too many programs. In spite of all the life coaches, and all the counselors, and all the self effort we put forth, we see failure all the time. Temptations and habits are never overcome, people still fall the same way consistently. Many Christians remain weak and stunted in their spiritual growth, and others make shipwreck of their faith.
     I might seem to be stepping on some toes, and it is not my desire to offend, but I desire to challenge the body of Christ to rise up and fight the good fight of faith in the power of the Lord God Almighty. This is the place of victory.
     It was the Apostle Paul's prayer that we would know how great God's power toward us is (Eph 1:19). That is the point. Too many do not truly realize how great this power is. They may understand in some abstract way that God is powerful, but it is not a living active faith that takes Christ and puts Him on, a faith that lives and moves "in Christ", a faith that takes hold and conquers in the name of Jesus.
     Paul prayed that we would be strengthened with the Spirit of God in our inner self (Eph 3:16). Paul speaks of the power of God that was at work in his life (Col 1:29). He also encourages us with the fact that God is faithful to strengthen and protect us from the evil one (2Thessalonians 3:3).
     Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1John 3:8). He came to render him powerless (Hebrews 2:14). We do not need to fail! As our faithful high priest, we can come to Him for grace (Hebrews 4:15-16). We have all we need for life and godliness (2Peter 1:3-4), and it is found in Christ.
     We must be in Christ. That is to be yielded to Him. He must be in control of our lives. We cannot be living our way and expect Him to come and help us when we need Him. It is all or nothing in the kingdom of God. James says we must first submit to God, then resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7-8).
     It is by faith that we walk in the power of the Lord, a faith that overcomes the world (1John 5:5). Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world (1John 4:4)!
    
    

We Are In a Spiritual War

          Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of the darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
                                     Ephesians 6:10-12 NASB

     Whether you believe it or not, we are in a tremendous spiritual battle for our souls as well as the souls of countless others. I believe that the Church in general, has been lulled to sleep over the last several generations and is unaware of the danger around her. We have received a message that allows us to sit content with our secure position "in Christ" but does nothing to urge us on to victory against the foes that assail us.
     The foes we face are not human, but spiritual. The world lies under the power of darkness, enslaved to satanic forces (Eph 2:2, 1John 5:19). Those who have yielded to sin have opened themselves up to demonic influence, and are sold into slavery to sin (John 8:34, 2Peter 2:19). These people are captives. They are not really in a battle.
     I remember before I was saved, I did not have to resist sin. I enjoyed many sinful things. I felt no need to fight or struggle against it. It wasn't until I was convicted of my sin, that a battle began to rage within me.
     It is when we are set free by the Son of God (John 8:36) that the devil takes notice. He will not give us up without a fight. He wanders about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1Peter 5:8). It was the devil who was behind the trials of Job (Job 1:8-12, 2:3-7). Satan entered Judas as he plotted to betray Jesus (Luke 22:3-4). It was Satan who was behind Peter's denial of Christ (Luke 22:31). The devil tempted Christ (Matthew 4:1-11). It will be the devil making war against the saints at the end as well (Rev 12:17). Satan and a host of demons are very active, in destroying God's finest creation, man.
     To be ignorant of this is dangerous. To refuse to believe it is to invite spiritual ruin. We are in a battle that will not end until all things are put under Christ's feet, and He reigns upon the throne for all eternity.
     In future posts I will look at the weapons and armor that God has provided for us as we fight the good fight of faith.
    
    

The Most Terrifying Words You Will Ever Hear.

     There are multitudes today who have their hopes set on heaven when they die. Indeed, many of them will spend eternity worshiping Christ. They will see Him face to face, and enjoy His presence for ever.
     It will be a terrible, unexpected day however, for countless numbers of people who call themselves Christians. There are those who fully expect to enter in to the joy of the Master (Matt 25:21) Who will instead Hear "I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matt 7:23).
     Not everyone who calls Jesus Lord is going to enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matt 7:21). There will be those who have done great things in the name of Jesus who will hear these dreadful words (Matt 7:22). They may be people who once served God, who have walked in a powerful anointing, but have allowed pride to take the place of God on the throne of their hearts. 


     Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
                     Matt 7:21 NASB

     It is those who are doing the will of the Father, who are seeking His kingdom and righteousness as their highest priority in life (Matt 6:33), who will enter in. These are the people who have placed Christ upon the throne in their lives. They truly live for Him, His agenda is their agenda. They have allowed Him to transform their lives. They are victorious in the face of trial and temptation, a victory achieved by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (Rev 12:11). Their lives are marked by obedience. Not a slavish obedience, but obedience flowing out of a supreme love to God, and a passion for His glory. Should they stumble, they get up in repentance and faith and continue on in the strength of the Holy Spirit.
     Jesus said that it is a small gate and narrow way that leads to life, and few find it (Matt 7:13-14). Most individuals are sadly on the broad path to destruction. Many hold to a form of godliness without the power (2 Tim 3:5). These individuals show by the fruit of their lives that self reigns in their hearts. Life is all about them, they only want enough of Jesus to get them safely to heaven. But that is not how it works! Their lives are marked by lawlessness (Matt 7:23). They may look good, may be in church, may even have done great things, but they harbor hidden sins, they live for themselves and not for God. They live without law, trusting that they are saved all along.
     You do not want to be surprised on that day. What road are you on? Are you truly living for Christ with all your heart? Are you trusting Him everyday to overcome this world, or are you like so many that think everything is ok, as you pursue the things that are only temporal? What will you hear on that day?
    

The Nature of Unbelief.

      A biblical concept often misunderstood and misrepresented is that of belief and unbelief. For too many, belief involves nothing more than head knowledge, knowing the historical facts about Christ, and agreeing that they are true. Unbelief therefore is nothing more than failing to know these facts, or disagreeing with them.
     It is true that one must know and understand the truth of Christ and the gospel in order to believe it, but to be content with a mere assent to biblical facts, and nothing more, is still unbelief. Likewise, unbelief goes much deeper than what we mentally agree to or disagree with.
    
     Consider these definitions of unbelief taken from Thayers Greek Lexicon of the New Testament.

     1) 543 Apeitheia.   Obstinancy, obstinant, opposition to the Divine will.

     2) 544 Apeitheo.  1)  Not to allow one's self to be persuaded.
                                       1a) To refuse or withhold belief.
                                       1b) To refuse belief and obedience.
                                  2) Not to comply with.

      3) 545 Apeithes.   Impersuasible, not compliant, disobedient, contumacious.

     4) 570 Apistia.  Unfaithfulness, faithless
                              Want of faith, unbelief
                               Weakness of faith

     Now consider these definitions taken from Strong's concordance
 of the New Testament. 

     1) 543 Apeitheia. Disbelief (obstinant and rebellious):- disobedience unbelief.

     2) 544  Apeitheo.  To disbelieve (willfully and perversely):- not to believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving.

     3) 545 Apeithes. Unpersuadable, that is contumacious:- disobedient.

     4) 570  Apistia. Faithlessness, that is (negatively) disbelief (want of Christian faith), or (positively) unfaithfulness (disobedience):- unbelief.   

     While the idea of not believing something, is there, notice the traits that characterize unbelief. Obstinant, rebellious, not compliant to God's will, disobedient unfaithful. An unbelieving heart is dug in and hardened against spiritual truth. It refuses to submit to God's authority. By the way, contumacious means stubbornly rebellious.
     Read these verses from Hebrews. Strong's numbers are used where the words unbelief and unbelieving are used. The first few verses are found in Chapter 3.

     Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief (570), in turning from the living God. vs 12.

     And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not (544)?  vs 18.

     So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief (570). vs 19.

     Now look at a few verses found in chapter 4.

     Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter there in, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief (543). vs 6.

     Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief (543). vs 11.

     The context of these verses concerns ancient Israel as they left Egypt and headed to the promised land. They failed to trust God time and time again, even though they saw the signs,wonders, and mighty miracles He performed on their behalf. They grumbled, complained, and rebelled against God in spite of the fact that His presence was with them in the cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night.
     Their final failure comes as they are about to cross the Jordan to enter the promised land. They listen to the evil report of eight of the ten spies, and refuse to trust God enough to enter and take possession of the promised land.
     The verses quoted from Hebrews 3, and 4 were taken from the King James version. They consistently translated the Greek as unbelief, or believed not, in these verses. Later translators more accurately use disobedience in some of these instances, which gives a better understanding of what unbelief truly is. Consider these same verses taken from the NASB.

     Take care brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. Heb 3:12
     This is speaking of unfaithfulness. A weak, lacking faith that erodes into a turning away from God.

     And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. Heb 3:18-19
     Here we see the refusal to obey, or believe (544). Vincent's word studies in the New Testament puts it this way.

     (Apeitheia) disobedience is the active manifestation of (Apistia) lack of faith.

     Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter in because of disobedience. Heb 4:6
     This is apeitheia, the word for obstinant and rebellious behavior. This was how their unbelief manifested itself.

     Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. Heb 4:11
     We are warned to avoid falling into the same attitude of rebellion and disobedience that the Israelites did in the days of Moses.

     We can draw several conclusions from these scriptures.
1) Without a proper trust in God, we will not obey Him. If we do not believe He will provide for us, give us strength, believe in His promises to us, we will not obey, just as Israel did not believe He would give them victory over the inhabitants of the promised land, and they chose not to go in.
2) Individuals chose not to believe, because to believe requires obedience, and as lost, selfish individuals we do not want to give up our sin.
3)  We can say we believe in Christ, but it is our actions that prove our belief or unbelief. It is like the man pushing a cart on a tightrope high above a gorge. He has a volunteer get in and goes back and forth several times. He asks if those witnessing this feat, believe that he could get them across safely in the cart as well. Everyone is in hearty agreement until he asks for the next volunteer to get into the cart.

     Do you believe?

    
    

    
    

Freedom.

       Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of The Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
                                      Romans 8:1-4 NASB

     The Apostle Paul has just finished describing the battle that one faces apart from Christ. The battle to be free from sin, to do the things that one knows are right, instead of the things that one knows are evil. All the good intentions in the world are not enough to overcome the selfish desires that are rooted in the heart of an individual who is striving in the flesh to please God. Paul raises the cry of anguish and despair, "Who will deliver me from this body of  death (Romans 7:24)?" 
      Indeed everyone reading this can relate to a time when they were made aware of their sinful state, and desired to be free, to be accepted by God, but found that their efforts were like those of the individual described by Paul in this seventh Chapter of Romans.
      Many Christians have begun in the Spirit, only to try to be perfected in the flesh (Galatians 3:3). This is just as futile, as Jesus states "Apart from Me You can do nothing" (John 15:5).  They find that the willing is present in them, but the doing is quite another thing (Romans 7:18).
       He now turns to the answer. Victory from the bondage to sin is found in Jesus Christ (Romans 7:25). All of the struggle with the sin nature, all of the guilt, all of the condemnation can be overcome in Christ.
     There is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). We are free from the condemnation of our conscience. We are freed from the law's pronouncement of GUILTY. We are set free from the penalty of spiritual death and eternal separation from God. And as we will see, we are freed from the power that sin holds over us.
     This verse is often quoted by individuals who are still living a lifestyle of sin. They are trying to feel good about themselves and still cling to their sinful habits. It is often used to silence well meaning Christians who are concerned about the souls of  fellow believers who have lapsed into sin. This however, is a refuge that will not stand on the day of Christ!
     This promise of no condemnation is for those who are in Christ. To be in Christ is quite a different thing from what many people believe it to be! It is also qualified by the statement " Those who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4). I like how this verse reads in the King James version. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Most of our modern translations do not translate it this way, but verse 4 still carries this idea.
     So what does it mean to be in Christ Jesus? It is a joining to Him by faith, a living faith that goes beyond head knowledge, to acting out our belief. It is a submission to His lordship of our lives. This is the surrender Jesus sets before all who would be His disciples (Matthew 10:37-39, Mark 8:34-35, Luke 14:33).
     To be found in Christ is to make Jesus your life (Colossians 3:3-4). It is not about us. Our lives are to revolve around Him. We are to make His kingdom and righteousness our highest priorities (Matthew 6:33). Paul was crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20, 6:14). This was in a spiritual sense meaning he was dead to everything but the life of Christ in him.
     Those who are in Christ understand the concept of the vine and branches in John 15. They lean upon Him for the grace to overcome in every situation. They bear fruit because they are united to Him with a faith that obeys as well as depends upon Him for strength. They understand that the life sap flows as long as they stay connected, but to be severed through disobedience, or self reliance is fatal (John 15:4-6). It is as natural as the metaphor Jesus uses to describe this union with Himself.
     The one found in Christ will be like Him (1John 4:16-17). The one who abides in Christ will keep His commandments(1 John 5:3). The one who abides in Christ will walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). This is a walk of love, a walk of obedience, and a walk of self sacrifice.
     The one found abiding in Christ will have the witness of the Spirit (1John 3:24, Romans 8:16). This inner witness of The Spirit bearing witness with our spirit, is sadly overlooked too often. Many individuals claim to be born again but are always filled with guilt and doubts. The witness of the Spirit is a vital biblical truth, an experience that is tangible. Those who have experienced it know it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
     There are many more things I could put down here, but these will suffice to make the point.
      The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
     The freedom to overcome sin is found when we are surrendered to Christ. When we have renounced sin and self, and put on Christ, then His power flows through us. God did for us what the law could never do. All the law could do was show us what God requires of us. It condemns us when we break it, but it cannot empower us to obey it. That is true of any law. It tells you what to do, but it does not enable you to do it. We may agree that it is good, we may obey some of it, or obey it some of the time, but as long as we are selfish individuals we will never give it the whole hearted obedience that is required of us.
     Christ came to earth as a man. While here he was tempted in every way we are, yet He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). His obedience to the law was perfect, making Him the only possible sacrifice for sin.  He broke the power of sin by His death on the cross (Hebrews 2:14-15) making it possible for us to live free from its power (Romans 6:6-7). 
     In Christ we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). It is up to us to walk in the power available to us. We must make an irrevocable decision to die to sin, and to live for Christ in righteousness (Romans 6:11,19). We must walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16,25). This means that we diligently obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit as He directs us by the Word of God, and guides us through our conscience. We must always remember that all we need to follow Christ will be abundantly supplied.
     Why not trust Him today?