I am sure that if you follow the game of football you have seen the old pictures of the men that played years ago in leather helmets. The game has certainly came a long way since it started all those years ago. I have a lot of friends that are coaches and I can honestly say I don't know one of them that would allow any other their players to walk onto the practice field or enter a game wearing a leather helmet.
In my line of work it is customary for people to wear hard hats, safety glasses, reflective vests, and steel toed boots. All of these things are for our protection. All of these things seem to have an obvious purpose, some bigger than others but all serve a purpose. While at times they may seem like a hinderance, I realize the importance of all these pieces of PPE.
But more important than protective sports equipment or professional safety equipment is the spiritual armor that Paul describes in the following verses of Ephesians 6:10-20(ESV), "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." He describes in vivid detail the armor that God gives us to protect us during the battle that we all will face each and every day.
It is sobering for me to think what we are actually facing each and every day as we battle against the world. We are all engaged in a monumental battle for our very souls and for the souls of every human on the planet. It is a battle between the forces of good, with God in command and the forces of evil under Satan's power. Think about it for a minute...is it any doubt why you would need the full armor of God? It takes all the parts to make the whole and once you are outfitted, Paul says that to pray constantly, stay alert and be persistent. The good news that we all share in is the knowledge that in the very end, God wins!
In my line of work it is customary for people to wear hard hats, safety glasses, reflective vests, and steel toed boots. All of these things are for our protection. All of these things seem to have an obvious purpose, some bigger than others but all serve a purpose. While at times they may seem like a hinderance, I realize the importance of all these pieces of PPE.
But more important than protective sports equipment or professional safety equipment is the spiritual armor that Paul describes in the following verses of Ephesians 6:10-20(ESV), "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." He describes in vivid detail the armor that God gives us to protect us during the battle that we all will face each and every day.
It is sobering for me to think what we are actually facing each and every day as we battle against the world. We are all engaged in a monumental battle for our very souls and for the souls of every human on the planet. It is a battle between the forces of good, with God in command and the forces of evil under Satan's power. Think about it for a minute...is it any doubt why you would need the full armor of God? It takes all the parts to make the whole and once you are outfitted, Paul says that to pray constantly, stay alert and be persistent. The good news that we all share in is the knowledge that in the very end, God wins!
Comments
Post a Comment