Theological Commentary: Click Here
In the last
chapter, we spoke about how we should live.
However, living a life of righteousness is hard work. As Paul said yesterday, we live in a dark and
evil world. There is constant temptation
to sin. There are always opportunities
to turn from righteousness and slip into selfishness, greed, lust, and other
passions that dwell within. We need help
to navigate the evil in the world and within ourselves.
To this end,
Paul gives us a great passage about where we can find the strength to live
righteously. Our belt, that which binds
the armor together, is truth. Our
breastplate, that which protects our most vital areas, is righteousness. Our shoes, which protect our ability to move
and bring God’s Word to other places, is peace.
Our shield, which is our mobile defense against attack from any angle,
is faith. Our helmet, which protects our
brain and decision making abilities, is the Word of God. Our sword, which is both a parrying weapon
and our means of attack, is also the Word of God.
Note,
however, the arrangement of the source of our strength. All but one of the pieces is a defensive piece
of equipment. The armor of God is first-and-foremost
for our protection, not for assault and attack!
This should make sense. God does
not need us to fight His battles for Him.
He does invite us into His work, but He does not need us to assault His
enemies. God will do that Himself. God will assault the strongholds of evil. We merely need to stay strong, prepared to
act in righteousness when God calls upon us.
Defense is primary to our role in God’s kingdom.
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