Scripture:  Ephesians 6:10-24    Commentary 6:10-20     Commentary 6:21-22     Commentary 6:23-24

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies (Ephesians 6:11-12a, NLT).

Observation:

The challenge to love other believers and to accept them as full members of Christ’s body requires the Lord’s strength and mighty power (v.10). The evil one plots our ruin by magnifying differences between ourselves and other believers (v.13). If we buy into this evil plan, we sabotage our own standing in the body as well as the spread of the Good News (v.19). Our call is to stand firm and to resist the evil scheme of division.  The Lord equips us with his own armor as we pray in the Spirit for ourselves and other believers.

Application:

I need to ask God each day to outfit me with his armor. Only then will I be strong enough to resist the temptation to pull back from a brother or sister in Christ. Standing firm in his armor and praying for the success of my fellow soldiers, the Good News of Christ’s love and grace for us all will advance.

Prayer:

Father, bind your armor on me. Belt the truth of your love around me. Protect my heart with love for all. Cover my feet with your Good News, so I walk in peace with others.  Shield me with an unshakable faith in your mercy and grace for all. Strap salvation to my mind, so my thoughts march in line with yours. Equip me with an understanding of your word, and make me alert to your Spirit’s promptings. In Jesus’ name, Amen.