From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2004 5:51 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: October 10th Greetings

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."  Ephesians 6:13

As evil abounded in the Apostle Paul's day, so too do we see it ever so blatantly expressed today.  Who can truly stand outside of the protective covering of our faithful  Lord?  Paul tells the Ephesians in 6:11, "...Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might."

The people in Paul's day were familiar with the dress and equipment of the Roman soldier, therefore he is using these to tell the Believer of the spiritual armor that is theirs.  God has provided in Christ all that is necessary for each of His own to stand firm!  Gratefully we thank Him for His loving protection of us!

"Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness."  Ephesians 6:14

Webster's Dictionary defines:
"'Gird': to surround, enclose; hem in; to prepare oneself for action; to provide, equip or invest, as with strength." "'Gird up one's loins': to prepare oneself for something requiring readiness, strength, or endurance."

Our verse is telling us to be surrounded, enclosed and  in readiness.  How? With truth. Jesus Himself said that He is the truth!  (See John 14:6) Therefore we are to gird our loins and be ready to stand firm in Christ. Knowing Him in reality.  Trusting Him, relying on Him, clinging to Him.

Breastplate as defined in Vine's Expository Dictionary is: "A corselet consisting of two parts and protecting the body on both sides, from the neck to the middle."

Our verse is telling us that in this spiritual battle we are going to need to be protected on all sides for we are surrounded with the evil that abounds in the earth. Of what is this breastplate made?  Righteousness!

Christ Jesus is the righteous One!
Prophecy speaks of His righteousness:
"'Behold the days are coming,' declares the :Lord,
 'When I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch;
  And He will reign as King and act wisely
  And do justice and righteousness in the land.'"
"...And this is His name by which He will be called,
 'The Lord our righteousness.'"  Jeremiah 23:5-6

Isaiah 11:5 says,
"Also, righteousness will be the belt about His loins,
 And faithfulness the belt about His waist."

Because Christ is righteous, through Him and in Him God has bestowed His righteousness to Believers. "But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption."  1 Corinthians 1:30

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  2 Corinthians 5:21

Here then are two of the pieces of our armor, truth and righteousness.  We are girded about with Christ and we are covered with Christ!  Next week we will look at more of God's provisions. Let us now give thanks, honor and praise to our God who in Christ has so graciously and lovingly provides for
our every need!   Amen!