Armored: Geared Up For Life Series

INTRODUCTION

As Hitler’s appetite for power and territory grew, his army began to march across Europe. In some cases, the fight could hardly be called a battle. The Evil German Nazi army advanced, with its tanks and with technologically advanced weapons. In some of the underdeveloped nations, their armies made a futile effort to resist Hitler’s aggression, fighting back with spears and even rocks. It was no contest at all because these nations were not equipped for the battle.

The same could be said of Satan and those whom he opposes. Many of his victims do not even know there is a war going on. They make easy prey. Often the church is fighting back with car washes and baby contest. Christians should know that we are in the midst of a great spiritual struggle, although many seem not to believe it. And even more distressing is the fact that many who consider themselves “in the war” do not understand the nature of Satan’s schemes, of the weapons which he employs, or of the weapons which God has provided for our defense.

As the letter to believers in Ephesus and throughout the great cities of Asia Minor draws to a close, the author offers a final extended metaphor for how a person of faith in Jesus as God’s own anointed one, Lord overall, might shape the life of believers.

The Image is of a Warrior preparing for a great battle. I have been thinking about warriors and especially Social Justice Warriors recently. Sitting Bull, Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux said; The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who cannot provide for themselves, and above all, the children - the future of humanity. While talking about his people the Native Americans the point is valid for all of us. Being a warrior is more than about fighting, it is about service to the community and protection of their homeland.

I have also been thinking about non-violent resistance to hate and racism and bigotry, I've been asking the same kind of questions that The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC, often pronounced /sn?k/ SNIK) asked of the Civil rights movement during the 60s is unarmed civil disobedience still the best way. And Yes Church I have gotten an answer we are not weaponless.

It is important to keep in mind that the addressees of this letter to the Ephesians were to a people who were very much a minority group in the first century. The language used to describe their God and Lord was very similar to that used to describe imperial officials, especially the emperor. Even the word for their gatherings, ekklesiae, which later became church was a term for political gatherings at the local level.

This letter, then, was written for people for whom their allegiance to Christ set them at conspicuous odds with the allegiances of others in their families and cities. In other words, this was a Political letter to a people involved in politics.

So yes, these folks had to have a certain kind of armor. Yes, the Ephesians need to be geared up and Armed.

It is impossible to think about this passage in 2021 without thinking of the many minority groups at odds with their overlords throughout the world.

For many of these groups, the United States government has been asked desperately for “armor” of a more contemporary sort, armor that will allow such groups either to claim their freedom more aggressively or to defend it simply by standing fast.

It's impossible to read this text and not think about the situation with the war in Afghanistan and the withdrawal of U.S. forces, the Taliban swiftly toppling the government, and driving thousands of people into a desperate race to escape the country.

It’s impossible to read this text and not to ask How does COVID Vaccines and Face Mask fit into this discussion of putting on the full armor of God. We have seen how the Vaccines, the shots, have changed the Pandemic of diseases in the country and yet the politicizing of the taking the shoot has also cost people their lives.

The text makes it very clear that the events of life in this world, especially the conflicts, are truly indicative of warfare in the “heavenly places.” They are spiritual and not just Earthly. Three points from the text and I’ll let you go to Wendy’s to get you brunch.

1) This is a Bigger Battle than You think!

The battle is not with flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), but with other dark and dangerous powers who do rule the world at the present time.

For the Ephesians, no matter what hostility is displayed by their fellow townsfolk, they are to understand that the real hostility is emanating from larger, darker, spiritual forces. I tell you when we were in DC protesting evil and sin that was reflected in the government’s usage of the filibuster and other staling technics that are denying living wages and voting rights, I met the Yogananda Pittman who was Acting Chief of the Capitol Police. What caught me was she still had on her face scares from the January 6th insurrection of American Born Terrorist. And You know A black woman is not prone to get hit in the face. It reminded me that no matter how much I want to make the events of January 6 about race and racism that it was were more about sin and the darkness that is taking over our country and world if we are not geared up in our faith.