Grow With Pastor Joe

The second thing that we must see is the equipment of the Christian soldier. It is hard to stand in fight if you don’t know your enemy, expectations, equipment, or the empowerment that you’ve been given in Christ. As we have stated throughout our study of Ephesians, you can’t practically walk unless you do so out of the wealth of your position. Christ has given and is what you need for the Christian life. The following pieces that make up “the whole armor of God” in these verses are in order that the Roman soldier would put them on. Each piece is born out of being prepared for the battle and each piece is practical. Every piece is necessary and connects with the other pieces to make not just a whole armor, but a whole soldier. Putting on the protection provided prepares you to participate in the battle. You can’t fight unless you are fit to fight. Remember, the armor is forged by the Father, furnished in and by the Son, and fastened by the Holy Spirit. The equipment of the Christian soldier is given in Eph. 6:14-17 which says, “¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” We will briefly examine each piece while emphasizing the urgency to put it on and the usefulness of having it on. With each piece of our equipment, we will also point it back to the Lord Jesus who He Himself is our armor, defense, and strength.

The first piece of equipment of the Christian soldier is what we’ll call the “belt of truth.” Eph. 6:14 says, “having your loins girt about with truth.”  Before I even think about walking out of my front door for the day, I have already put on a belt to keep my pants from falling down. You might not have that problem but every man that needs a belt knows how important the belt is. The belt of truth is not an accessory like a ring or necklace. It is what girds us up for the battle. The Roman soldier before leaving his tent or putting on another piece of armor before the battle would gird up his tunic using a belt. This belt would not only tie up his tunic so that he would have the freedom to move, but it served as a connecting piece for their breastplate and would also be used to carry the soldier’s sword. In the spiritual battle that we are in, we can’t afford to have anything get in the way, trip us up, or hinder our movement if we are to stand in and for Christ as the enemy sends wave after wave of attacks. Notice, this is the belt of truth. It is truth that girds us up in preparation for the battle. Truth is foundational to the Christian life. Throughout Ephesians we have seen that we believe the truth which makes us belong to the truth and in turn then behave truthfully. The truth of God’s Word includes the truth of who we are in Christ, what we have in Christ, and how we are to walk accordingly in Christ. The truth of God’s Word is what holds each Christian and the Church together. We are bound to the truth and one another. We must hold on to truth and it must hold on to us. Truth is one of the marks of a true Christian. We must learn the truth in the scriptures by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We learn the truth through the local Church ministry (4:11-24) and through songs (Eph. 5:19). We must learn the truth, love the truth, and live the truth. Jesus Himself is the truth, His Word is true, and all who are His will walk in truth (John 14-17; 3 John 1:4). It is the truth of who Christ is, what Christ has done, is doing, and will do that binds up our life for preparation of the battle. Without the belt of truth we can’t put on the armor, we can’t stand, we can’t move, and we can’t fight. Truth in Christ is our victory.

The second piece of equipment of the Christian soldier is the “breastplate of righteousness.” Eph. 6:14 then says, “and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” The soldier’s breastplate covered the entirety of his torso from the neck and often down below the waste. It covered the vital organs in both the front and back of the soldier. No soldier in their right mind would go into battle without this vital piece of equipment. The breastplate hooked onto the belt so that it would be stationary as the soldier stands, marches, and fights against the enemy. This breastplate allowed the soldier to take the blow of the enemy and stay in the fight. For the believer, we are given and must put on the “breastplate of righteousness.” There are two types of righteousness in the life of the believer, both of which have been exhaustively dealt with in the book of Ephesians. Jesus is our breastplate of righteousness because He is our righteousness. There is positional righteousness and practical righteousness. The moment of salvation we were imputed the righteousness of Christ. We are positionally in Christ and that position is one that is clothed in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus. This is Christ’s work for us. Then, there is the practical righteousness which is imparted to us. This is not what Christ has done for us, but rather what Christ is doing in and through us. Any righteousness in us is Christ in us. Any righteous work in our life is the work of His righteousness in us. Martin Lloyd-Jones says, “Thank God for experiences, but do not rely on them. You do not put on the ‘breastplate of experiences; you put on the breastplate of ‘righteousness.’” In short, the breastplate of righteousness has already been put on in Christ (this is our imputed righteousness the moment of salvation; Christ for us; our wealth in Him) but we must now practically live righteously based on our positional righteousness. A righteous life will protect your vital spiritual organs. A righteous life will protect you from the blows of the enemy, the influence of the world and the hinderance of a poor testimony. Because you have been made righteous in Christ then you are to continue living righteously. Walk righteously in the wealth of righteousness that we have in Christ.

The third piece of equipment of the Christian soldier is what I call the “gospel shoes.” Eph. 6:15 says, “¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” As every soldier knows, the health of their feet matters. A soldier stands on their feet, walks on their feet, runs on their feet and depends on their feet. If you lose your footing in battle you may die. The Roman soldier wore sandals with spikes on the bottom for a better grip. The Roman soldier’s shoes enabled them to have sure footing, but also had greaves attached which protected the ankle and lower leg. As go your feet go the fight. The Gospel is our footing and foundation for the fight of faith. 1 Cor. 15:1-4 tells us, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” The Gospel is Christ’s sufficient work of redemption through His sacrificial satisfactory death, burial, and resurrection. We are saved and secured by the Gospel. It is good news for the lost and good news for the saved. We stand on it and in the gospel. Notice the verse says, “with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” The gospel prepares us for the expectation of eternity and for the encounter with our enemy. The gospel is peace to all who believe but it makes war against the world, the flesh, and the Devil. All who do not obey the Gospel call are enemies of it. Furthermore, it is the gospel of peace because it gives us peace with God and the peace of God; both are needed for the spiritual battle. Be confident in the gospel and comforted by the gospel. Enjoy the peace and power that it brings to you. Preach the gospel to your heart and take heart in what Christ has done for you. He is the good news that you need to be prepared not only for eternity but for the enemy of your soul. It is through the gospel that we can enjoy peace in the midst of battle.

The fourth piece of equipment of the Christian soldier is the “shield of faith.” Eph. 6:16 says, “¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Roman soldiers had two common shields available. The one that Paul references here is the word “thureos” which is the Greek word for “door.” This shield was 4×2.5 feet. It was like a small door if you will. This shield would be taken up by each soldier and when placed together with other shields would make a fortress of protection for the soldiers as the enemy would fire flaming arrows to put fear in their hearts. Their shield had leather on the front of it so as a flaming arrow struck the flaming tar would be quenched. For the Christian soldier, we have been given a “shield of faith” to take up with one another. It is not only for our personal protection but for the protection of our fellow soldiers. God wants you to put your faith in Him alone for your own good, the good of your family, and Church. Faith is the confident trust and dependence upon Christ. It is a total trust in His word, work, and will. Faith is essential because we are saved by grace through faith to then walk and live by faith (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 1:17). Faith protects us from our enemy not because of how faithful we are but because we are trusting in Christ’s faithfulness which never wavers. Here, the faith is not so much about the extent of our faith, but rather the exercise of it. You don’t need much faith, but what faith you have must be placed in and on Christ alone. Faith is our response to the revelation and resources of the grace of Christ. We see that we live by faith, but even our faith is dependent upon the object of our faith, which is Christ. We live “by the faith of the Son of God” who loves us and has given Himself for us (Gal. 2:20). Satan will always hurl his fiery darts of deception, doubt, discouragement, and division but faith in Christ is more than able to quench every single arrow that he fires. 1 John 5:1-5 helps us understand the exercising of this shield of faith saying, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.³ For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.⁴ For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.⁵ Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” Don’t try to earn more faith, simply exercise the faith you already have placed in Christ. Keep trusting and living by faith while you look not at your own faithfulness, but the faithfulness of Christ.

The fifth piece of equipment of the Christian soldier is the “helmet of salvation.” Eph. 6:17 says, “And take the helmet of salvation.” It must be picked up and put on. The helmet of the Roman soldier was used for protection and identification. The soldier’s helmet was a leather cap with a metal outer coating with some sponge in between. If the soldier went into battle with all of their armor on but didn’t have on a helmet, they would be in grave danger. You can fight without an arm or leg, but you only have one head and can’t afford to lose it. The Chrisitan can’t afford to go into battle without their “helmet of salvation” fastened on tightly. Our enemy knows that he can’t steal our soul but if he can deceive our minds, or put distractions or discouraging thoughts there, then we are in danger of defeat. Our helmet is to protect our minds through the sealing and securing of our salvation. The believer’s salvation is three-fold. We have been saved from sin’s penalty (justification/regeneration). We are being saved from sin’s power (sanctification). We will be saved from sin’s presence (glorification) when we leave this world behind. To all that salvation has been applied can be assured that it has been applied. Remember Eph. 1? It deals with our wealth in Christ which is the availability of salvation in Christ, the application of salvation in Christ, and the assurance of our saved position in Christ by the sealing and indwelling Holy Spirit. We are saved, sealed, and secure and we had better be sure about it. Here, the believer’s helmet points to the believer’s hope in the coming of Christ and preservation from the Tribulation period (See 1 Thess. 5:1-11). Our salvation is secure and therefore, our helmet is one of confidence, hope, and assurance that we are saved, being saved, will stay saved, and will one day be finally saved from sin forevermore. Christ is our salvation, and He is our security. I am secure in my salvation, not because of my performance, but because of His. Jesus secured the victory for all who are in Him and therefore, we should be sure of our salvation and the victory that we have. Doubting your salvation begins in your mind as the Devil tells you how guilty and unworthy you are. The truth is, he is right, but only partly. We are guilty and unworthy of salvation, but by the grace of God we have been declared innocent, righteous, and are counted worthy in Christ. The hymn, “Before the Throne of God Above” written by Charitie Smith in 1860 rightfully declares,

“1 Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea, a great High Priest whose name is “Love,” who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands; my name is written on His heart; I know that while in heav’n He stands, no tongue can bid me thence depart; no tongue can bid me thence depart. 2 When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look and see Him there who made an end of all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free; for God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me; to look on Him and pardon me. 3 Behold Him there, the risen Lamb! My perfect, spotless Righteousness; the great unchangeable I AM, the King of glory and of grace! One with Himself I cannot die; my soul is purchased with His blood; my life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Savior and my God; with Christ my Savior and my God!”

The sixth and final piece of equipment of the Christian soldier is the “sword of the Spirit.” Eph. 6:17 says, “¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” The best defense is a good offense. For the Roman soldiers, they didn’t just go into battle with all of their defensive armor, but they carried with them a sword to attack their enemy in their close quarters combat. The word for sword is the Greek word “machaira.” This was a shorter two-sided sword, no more than two feet in length. It had two razor sharp edges with a scalpel-like point that was able to pierce even the armor of their enemy. This sword is referenced in several places including Jesus saying that He came to bring a “sword not peace,” the soldiers who arrested Jesus in the garden, Peter who cut the ear off of the guard, the sword that is described to be used to kill James, the Philippian jailor’s weapon that he would have fallen on and also as the sword that has killed countless martyrs (Matt. 10:34; 26:47; John 18:10; Acts 12:2; 16:27; Heb. 11:37). This sword is referenced to remind us that the battle is a close quarters war where we grapple with our enemy (Eph. 6:12). The battle is up close and personal. Roman soldiers knew their equipment and were especially acquainted with their swords. The Marine rifleman’s creed begins with the words, “This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.” We must maintain our weapon and train with our weapon. But notice, we have the “sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.” The Holy Spirit always works in conjunction with the scriptures. The Spirit’s work in your life is to convict you through the word, convince you of the word, and comfort you with the word. The word, “word” here is not the word “logos” used as in the divine revelation of God in Christ, or also used to describe the totality of the scriptures. The word used is “rhema,” which is a specific word, statement, or principle. For every temptation and trial, the Holy Spirit has a “rhema” for you. However, if we are not in the word, then the word will not be in us. We must be filled with the scriptures and the Holy Spirit. There is no greater weapon to wield against our enemy than the Word of God by the Spirit of God (See Heb. 4:11-13). An illustration of how a specific “rhema” is available for all temptations and trials is Jesus’ own temptation in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11. With every attack of the enemy, Jesus resists the Devil through a specific scripture empowered by the Holy Spirit. Through this, Jesus wins and the Devil loses. We will be more dangerous to ourselves and our fellow soldiers if we don’t know our weapon. The Devil himself seeks to use the Bible against us, but when we understand and apply the scriptures by the power of the Holy Spirit’s work in us, we can cut the enemy down to size. 2 Cor. 10:3-5 tells us, “³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” The sword of the Spirit which is the Bible ought to be an extension of our arm. It should be in our heart to be wielded in our hands against our foe.

            Every one that is in Christ is saved to be a soldier. There is a war that is won already in Christ so that each of us can now fight freely and faithfully in the present battle knowing that the ultimate victory is ours in Jesus Christ. God has not left you defenseless to sin and Satan. He has not left you to fend off the world, the flesh, and the Devil on your own strength. You can’t muster up enough strength or fight without the armor of Christ that He has provided. When we see that Jesus not only has supplied our armor and strength, but that He Himself is our equipment for the battle then we can trust that the victory is sure. Put on Christ. Stand in Christ. Stand for Christ. Dear Christian, do you hear the call to battle? Are you battle ready or are you a liability? Are you standing in your strength or His? Is your life filled with the scripture and the Holy Spirit? When the battle rages, do you freeze, flee, or fight? God wants you in the fight. You are in His army, and you have fellow soldiers who are counting on you. Take a stand in Christ and take a stand against your enemy.

Grow with me as we study the believer’s wealth and walk in Christ.

Grow deeper.

Grow higher. Grow wider