COMBAT READY
Lets face it, we’ve all seen, understand, or relate to the tragedies of war. If it’s war that’s waged country against country or within your own family the repercussions are equally devastating. Every person has been touched by the causalities of a harsh word, selfish act, or family being ripped apart. These are the battles that are being fought all around us. Our enemy is combat ready. He is equipped, trained, and strong enough to engage us in battle anywhere, anytime, and at any cost. He’s invaded our countries, our homes, our churches, and our hearts. There is not a time that we can escape his reach, avoid his influence, or ignore his strength. He is here to kill, still, and destroy us all (John 10:10).
Racism, bigotry, pride, hate, prejudice, abuse, sexual perversions, deceit, broken promises, laziness, idolatry and many others plague us all. But there is one hope for us all. To them God has chosen to make known His glorious riches, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
He has equipped us with all that we need. The problem is that many of us take what Christ has given and treat it like any other accomplishment. We frame it, put it on the wall, and show the world what we’ve accomplished. This view of Christ is shallow and dead. It is Christ that makes all things right.
If we are to face our enemy we must embrace this gift of Jesus preparing our selves, our families, and our churches to be combat ready. Being combat ready is beng sufficiently equipped, trained, and numerically strong enough to engage the enemy. Ephesians 6:10-13 points out that we are equipped by God, trained by God, numerically strong through the church, and prepared for battle by God.
Imagine going into battle alone, without your supports, confused about what side you’re on, without a clear purpose or reason for being there, uncertain that your weapons and armor will work, or going into battle weaponless. To be combat ready we have to know our gear. Ephesians 6:14-17
THE BELT: Truth
Jesus is truth and He holds everything together.
THE BREASTPLATE: Righteousness
Identity, knowing we are righteous in Christ, protects our heart, mind, and soul.
THE SHOES: The Gospel
Our testimony is the very manifestation of Christ’s gospel, motivating us to move forward in peace.
THE SHEILD: Faith
Faith is a belief and trust in God and all that He does and says.
THE HELMET: Salvation
Renews our thoughts and feelings giving us victory over sin and death.
THE SWORD: The Word
The one thing needed to fight against any attack.
Next time you are faced with a problem, go through a fight, battle depression, feel all is lost you can ask these questions.
- Are you allowing Jesus to hold you together? (Eph 6:14a)
- Are you living the life of a Child of God? (Eph 6:14b)
- Have you put to rest the old ways to live out the Gospel of Christ? (Eph 6:15)
- Are you willing to die for what you believe God has done? (Eph. 6:16)
- Are you weighed down by momentary life robing you of the joy of eternal life? (Eph 6:17a)
- Is the Bible your weapon of choice? (Eph 6:17b)
