Walking in the Armor of God by Being Clothed In and One With Christ Jesus
Lord Jesus, You declare that the real fight is not with people but against principalities, authorities and the rulers of the world of Darkness of this age, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenlies. My outer man is weak. But as a soldier equipped in You,[i] the new me is powerful in the might of Your strength. I choose to stay continually clothed in You because I am in You,[ii]* my heavenly Armor and your are in me. Your covering enables the new me to stand against the wiles of the Devil and to resist in the day of evil, and, having worked out all things, to stand firm in You.
For You, the Truth, are my belt and You, my Righteousness, are my breastplate. Zeal to believe in and to spread the revelation of Your whole Gospel of grace is my footgear. The testimony of Your glorious salvation and triumph of the new me in You is my helmet which protects and renews my mind. The confession of this glorious revelation is Your mighty two-edged Sword of the Spirit in my mouth.
Above all, I hold fast to faith (believing, trusting, relying, resting) in You as my shield against all the fiery darts of the enemy[iii]** who is under my feet because I am seated with You in the heavenlies.[iv] No weapon formed against me shall prosper because Your victory is now mine through oneness with You. Remind me to consistently appropriate my heritage and vindication from You by refuting every tongue that accuses the new me.[v] You are always leading the new me in triumph in You, revealing everywhere the sweet odor of knowing You.[vi]***
[i] 2 Timothy 2:3 “You may suffer hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
[ii] Galatians 3:27 “For as many as were baptized into Christ, you put on Christ.”
*Note: Colossians 3:12 elaborates on qualities of the inner man that complement the war armor.
[iii] Ephesians 6:10-17 “For the rest, my brothers, be made strong in the Lord, and in the might of His strength. Put on all the armor of God, for you to be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil; because we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the rulers of this world, of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual (powers) of evil in the heavenlies. Because of this, take up all the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the day of the evil, and having worked out all things, to stand. Then stand firm, having girded your loins about with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod the feet with (the) preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the darts of the evil one, the things having been made fiery. Also, take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God….”
**Note: the Greek text word order is specifically “…that you be able to resist in the day the of evil…” indicating the likely rendering of resisting “in the day of the evil….” Also, the next phrase in Greek is “…and all things having worked out, to stand.” is usually rendered “…and having worked out all things, to stand.” They each have their own twist (especially when the word that means worked out can also mean accomplished, done all or worked fully in the Greek) in our current vernacular which complicates arriving at the exact meaning of the inspired writer.
[iv] Romans 16:20 “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.”
[v] Isaiah 54:17 and John 17:21 “‘…no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the Lord.” “‘…that all may be one, as You (are) in Me, Father, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that you sent Me.’” Also 1 Corinthians 6:17.
[vi] 2 Corinthians 2:14 “But thanks (be) to God, the (One) always giving us victory in Christ, and the (One) revealing through us the odor of the knowledge of Him in every place.” Also see Romans 5:17 and 8:37.
***Note: Through the cross, righteousness or right-standing in Christ with God has been imparted to every Christian (not just imputed, as was the case with Abraham). How could it be any different since each believer is united with Righteousness Himself and partakers of His divine nature. We are, thereby, delegated to be a mouthpiece for Jesus Christ to enforce His victory on earth over Darkness through the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is just one aspect of His divine exchange with us who are in Him by grace through faith.
Coming next week: Chapter 16 Enforcing Christ’s Victory with the Sword of the Spirit from My Position and Protection in Christ, Who is My Testimony and My Life
life, that is, Jesus himself.