374. HOW TO BE READY FOR THE COMING KING
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God"
Over 1900 years have elapsed from the time when the apostles went out into all the world and preached the Gospel. But though separated by so many years, our days are no less dramatic. The world is about to ex perience the return of the one who caused the Roman world to be "turn ed upside down ". We have considered the enthusiasm and courage of the apostles and of the early ecclesias. How much more zealous should we be, for we live on the verge of a greater manifestation of Divine power. The question confronting us is: "How can we prepare ourselves for his com ing?"
The aim of this lesson is to explore ways which will help us to be prepared for the Lord so that we might have an abundant entry into the Kingdom.
Ephesians 6
IN THE WORLD € NOT OF IT.
Paul taught the Ephesians that the servant of Christ cannot walk in the way of the world. Those who do so are "children of wrath" (Eph. 2:3). True servants of Christ "henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk" (4:17). In their former life they were "dead in sins", but baptism into Christ brings about a change of relationship: they are "quickened (i.e. made alive) together with Christ . . . raised up together, and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ" (2:5-6).
Brethren of Christ are called upon to separate themselves from their evil environment, being aware that God sees all. Pure religion entails be ing "unspotted from the world" (Jas. 1:27). Christ's body, his ecclesia, must be separate from the world € holy, chaste and pure. While "in the world", his brethren must not be "of the world" (Jn. 17:14,15). Such an attitude will not be found in any of the world's institutions.
OUR INESTIMABLE PRIVILEGES (Eph. 1-3).
Although repudiation of what the world finds attractive brings ridicule, Paul reminds us of the privileges we have in the Truth. God has blessed-us "with all spiritual blessings" (Eph. 1:3); He has "made us ac cepted in the beloved" (1:6; 2:6). Some of the words which Paul repeatedly uses in Ephesians emphasise the wonderful status of Christ's brethren, e.g. "grace" (12 times), "peace" (7 times), "heavenly places" (4 times). In fact, the first three chapters of Ephesians dwell upon the comforts, hopes and joys of those "in Christ", and a contrast is drawn with their former life as Gentiles "without hope".
THE NEED FOR SUBMISSION (Eph. 4-6).
This divine favour brings with it responsibilities. In the final three chapters of Ephesians, Paul enumerates the practical issues of discipleship. The greatest problem we face in living the life that God com mends is selfishness. So the first thing we must learn is submission one to another (5:21). In daily life mutual submission is called for in the relation ships between husbands and wives (5:22-33), children and parents (6:1-4), and servants and masters (vv. 5-9).
HUSBANDS AND WIVES (Eph. 5:22-33).
As Paul explains it, the husband-wife relationship is intended to be a miniature of what is true, on a larger scale, of Christ and his ecclesia € the "second Adam" and "second Eve". In the symbolic sense, Adam had "died" to produce Eve, whose companionship thereafter made his life complete and happy. In the same way, Christ died to produce his "bride", the perfected ecclesia € but happiness would not be experienced unless there had been firstly his willingness to die for her and secondly her willingness to follow his example of selfless, sacrificial love. The same principles should govern marriage in the Lord where the husband per forms the role of Christ, and the wife, his eccleisa. Paul's emphasis is upon the duty each has to the other and not upon one's "rights". Where both parties submit to each other in love, discord and divorce, so prevalent in these last perilous days, cannot eventuate.
CHILDREN AND PARENTS (Eph. 6:1-4).
Earlier Paul admonished the Ephesians, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children" (5:1). There is a Divine family, in which Yahweh is Father and we His children (3:14-15). Every family is expected to be a replica of the Divine family.
When Paul says, "obey your parents in the Lord", he is concerned with the proper family relationship between parents and children. What should be the attitude of children to parents? The answer is, "Obey your parents in the Lord". In a family covered by the mantle of Christ, the willing obedience he gave his Father will find reflection in the attitude of children to parents. Conversely, his Father's loving care and concern for him, will see its counterpart in parents' concern for their children.
In the spirit of the fifth commandment, Paul says that fathers "in the Lord" are not to be despotic or lack sympathy, for such harshness in spires irritation, exasperation and bitterness in children. On the contrary, they are to bring them up in the "nurture ("discipline", RSV) and ad monition ("instruction", RSV) of the Lord". This phrase indicates our Heavenly Father's concern that our minds might be instructed and our way of life disciplined according to His will. Heavy responsibility is plac ed upon parents: since they play the part of Yahweh Himself, they must always reveal His love and faithfulness towards His children. Children are to honour their parents because their parents in turn honour their Father.
The family is the foundation unit in a society that honours God. Fami ly life must be preserved at all costs. Where it is not preserved, social and national disintegration will follow.
SERVANTS AND MASTERS (Eph. 6:5-9).
While the "servants" Paul had in mind were bondslaves (considered as "property" in the Roman world, to be used or abused by their masters), and while the "masters" he referred to were owners of slaves, the prin ciples which should have governed their relationship apply to "employees" and "employers" in the modern world.
As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we should render honest and loyal service to our earthly masters. Christ will accept honest service done to an earthly master as service done to himself. Whatever we do then should be done "as to the Lord" (Col. 3:22-25).
Masters or employers are called upon to show to employees the same generous and benevolent attitude that they would seek from them. Coer cion antagonizes and destroys the spirit of free and willing service. In the world of today unions of workers are opposed to employers, and the spirit of grace which should exist between them is often lost. Strikes to force claims are all too commonplace. Masters and servants in Christ all have one master, the Lord Jesus Christ, whose judgments will be impar tial. This appreciation should caution self-interest and impress the need to render loving service to others. In every way, life in Christ is a matter of mutual submission.
THE WARRIOR ARMS FOR THE BATTLE (Eph. 6:10-20).
When a person accepts Christ, he adopts and maintains principles that find opposition in virtually every sphere of life. Hence life becomes a struggle which Paul likens to warfare (cp. 2 Tim. 2:3-5). The saint engag ing in this warfare needs the protection of "spiritual" armour and weapons (cp. 2 Cor. 10:2-6).
Paul encourages us to "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might", and to "put on the whole armour of God" (6:10-11). The ar mour was to be complete, so that all parts of the body would be protected in the battle. The enemy is called "the devil" and is identified as the prin cipalities and powers, both religious and political (6:11-12). Thus the enemy which the believer in his spiritual warfare is to fight consists of the political and religious institutions of this world, which are responsible for disseminating laws and teachings opposed to God.
As Paul wrote this letter, he was chained to a Roman soldier whose ar mour suggested the spiritual counterparts he describes (w.13-18). Altogether, there are seven components in the equipment of God's war rior € five pieces of defensive armour, one offensive weapon, and one for communication. The order in which they are stated is also important.
THE DEFENSIVE EQUIPMENT:
1. The Girdle of Truth (Eph. 6:14; Isa. 11:5).
The military belt was used to brace the armour tight to the body, to cover the two parts of the breastplate where it joined, and to support weapons, such as daggers and short swords. There would have been disarray without it, for it was essential for freedom of movement and efficient action. "Truth" is like that € God's Word is the foundation and source of our spiritual development (Jn. 17:17; 15:3).
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness (Eph. 6:14; Isa. 59:17).
The breastplate, or coat of mail, was in two parts € one reaching from the neck to the waist, and the other from the waist to the knees. It covered the heart and protected it from injury. Our hearts and minds are protected by the righteous laws of God dwelling within us (Psa. 19:7-14). This love of righteousness will protect us from the temptations of the "devil". Of Christ it was prophesied, "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness" (Psa. 45:7).
3. Shoes of the Gospel (Eph. 6:15; Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15).
When Israel was about to leave Egypt, they were commanded to eat the Passover with their feet shod. This was necessary in order to show their readiness and desire to leave Egypt with its sin and slavery, and to go and possess the promised land.
"Preparation" signifies "willingness, readiness". We must always be ready to proclaim the gospel and show willingness and enthusiasm for the work of the Truth. The gospel of peace is the good news that will at length restore peace and unity to all mankind. This will only occur when the Lord comes and causes all men to submit to the Truth (cp. Eph. 2:14-17). We must spread that message today so that in the kingdom we might complete the work begun now.
4. The Shield of Faith (Eph. 6:16).
The shield described was the large, oblong shield, curved so as to cover the whole body. Faith provides a protective covering for the spiritual qualities represented by the warrior's armour, i.e. truth, moral integrity and willing activity. While faith guards us, the missiles that would otherwise cause injury fall harmlessly aside.
5. The Helmet of Salvation (Eph. 6:17; Isa. 59:17).
The helmet protected the head, from which directions flowed to co ordinate the whole body. The "head" of our "body" is the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22, 23). In Isa. 59:17, Christ is said to have "put an helmet of salvation upon his head". For the ecclesia to do likewise is to virtually "put on Christ". The defensive equipment of the saints is never effective unless Christ, the head and saviour of the body, is in control (cp. Eph. 5:23). His commandments must be affectionately obeyed.
THE OFFENSIVE EQUIPMENT:
1. The Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17).
The "offensive warfare" committed to the ecclesia is the preaching of the gospel. Armed with "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" and clothed with the heavenly armour provided, the soldier of Jesus Christ is able to go on the "offensive" by preaching the gospel.
This warfare is not carnal but involves the realm of the mind and ideas; the gospel challenges the values and purposes of all that hear it (cp. Eph. 3:9-10; 2 Cor. 10:3-5). Before this can take place the Word of God must be known and understood. Then it becomes sharp and effective in the hands of the disciple (Heb. 4:12). This is the result of diligent study, careful reading, meditation and prayer.
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT:
1. Prayer (Eph. 6:18-20).
While this is one of the most important aspects in the life of the believer, it is often forgotten. Imagine the plight of a soldier cut off from headquarters and fighting alone! Unless communication could be re-established the fight would be lost. But granted the help and guidance of prayerful contact with God, hope may be sustained and victory obtained. But there is a need to be alert, "watching thereunto with all perseverance". Moreover we must co-operate with fellow soldiers; Paul draws attention to this idea by making known his own needs in this regard (6:19-20).
Thus the soldier of Jesus Christ needs defensive and offensive equip ment in his warfare, as well as to communicate with the Father in all things.
LESSONS FOR US:
- In the midst of a permissive society, the saints of God must stand aside from the world.
- To fit themselves for the coming Kingdom, disciples must learn to "submit one to another" in marriage, in the family and at work.
- As soldiers of Christ, disciples must equip themselves with truth, moral integrity, willing activity and the protection of faith, using Christ as the guide and goal of their life.
- Thus protected from the missiles of the enemy, they must take the of fensive and go forth fearlessly to proclaim the gospel.
- They must never forget the power of prayer.
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"The Letter to the Ephesians" (J. Carter) € Pages 141-153
"Ephesians" (J. Knowles)
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
- List some of the privileges of discipleship mentioned by Paul in Ephe sians?
- Marriage in the Truth should be a miniature of the relationship bet ween Christ and the ecclesia. Explain.
- Why is the Word of God described as the "sword of the Spirit"?
4. What are the responsibilities of parents and children towards each other, as mentioned by Paul in Ephesians 6:1-4?
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
- Describe in detail the spiritual warrior of Ephesians 6.
- "Submission" is a key principle in the Epistle to the Ephesians. How does Paul illustrate the principle, and why is it important to believers?