Spiritual Armor: Gospel Readiness and Faith
Ephesians 6:10-20 (focus on vs 15-16)
This passage is about “spiritual warfare” and our need to be equipped so that we can effectively engage the spiritual forces of evil. We can’t do it on our own, so God graciously and strategically gives us spiritual armor so we can be strong in the Lord, stand against the schemes of the devil and stand firm.
Gospel of Peace
Clarifies and completes the war image of armor
Peace with God (Colossians 1:17-20)
Peace with others (Romans 12:18)
Readiness
God’s Kingdom realized by more people (Acts 1:8)
Our timid inclination (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
Further equipment needed
Shield Integrity
All circumstances
Extinguishing all the flaming darts (1 John 5:4)
Sufficiency for the evil spiritual powers (Jeremiah 32:27)
Pleasing Faith
Believing in the one self-existing sovereign God (Hebrews 11:6)
Looking to the reward of perfect delight in God (John 15:9-11)
Through Jesus (Isaiah 42:8, Acts 4:12)