Last week we began a new series on Ephesians chapter 6. We talked a little bit about the fact that as christians we are in a battle, and if we are in a battle we should act as soldiers. Last week we read Ephesians 6:10-18, which speaks of the battle and the tools that God has given the christian to prepare him for battle. It is sort of like a boot camp. Thne first thing that I saw that the soldier must do is to listen and hear what his commander is saying. There were five thing that Paul commanded the soldier to do, under God's orders. The first was to Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. This means that we can't trust in our own strength and ability in this battle! The second thing that we had to hear was that we eeded to "PUT IT ON!" God has provided us with the armor that will protect and keep us alive in this battle, but we have to use it, We have to put it on! The third instruction we had to hear was to "Stand up" We needed to stand up against the enemy. We can't do much good fighting off our backs! Speaking of the enemy, the fourth thing we hear is that we must "Know the enemy" We do not struggle against flesh and blood, We put on the whole armour of God that we might stand against the wiles of who?, the devil! The final thing we hear in Pauls initial commands is this "Pray Always" Prayer is our line of communication in preperation and in the battle! We pray for ourselves and for those who are also involved in the battle. Ok, now that we realize how important it is for the soldier to listen and hear instruction, It's time to gear up...
LET"S GET READY TO RUMBLE!! Let's read again the beginning of our scripture verse 10, through verse 14...
"10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;"
This morning we are going to concetrate on verse 14 "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;" We will be concentrating on the part speaking of having your loins girt about with truth. Now I want us to consider this morning, what this is? What it represents? Why we need it? And I think in answering these questions, we will answer one more, Why does this need to be first?
1. What is this?
It is something that is girt about your loins! Ok let's move on.... Just kidding, what is it? It is something that a soldier would put on when dressing for battle. Listen to what this verse says in the NIV "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, " I believe that to be a pretty acurate description of what the soldier is putting on, a belt! Now when we think of a belt it serves a purpose most of the time doesn't it? It does for a soldier as well. Remember Roman soldiers wore tunics, which were two pieces of rectangular cloth sowed together with holes cut for the head and arms. It was worn below the knees during normal circumstances, but when readying for battle it was hiked up and held by the belt. It also carried a sheath for their dagger as well as offering some protection for the personal area! So the tunic got hiked up so the soldier could move and run. He can now finish putting on the rest of the equipment. Now we know what it is as far as military gear would go, but what does it represent?
2. What it represents?
We know this item is a belt and that it goes on first, if the soldier does not wear his belt, his tunic could get in his way and cause him to fall! What did we say the soldiers needs to do? Stand up! Falling is a bad thing. Ok now when we read this verse it says having your loins girt about with truth... We know for the soldier this is a belt, but why does Paul say "truth"? Now, many say that this represents God's word which certainly is truth, but further on in our battle gear we are told to take "the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God!" Is Paul being redundant? I don't think so. What is the first thing a christian must do to be a christian? Receive Christ! Jesus says "I am the way, the TRUTH and the life, no man cometh unto the Father except by me!" I believe that this belt of truth is Christ himself! I think after looking at The reason we need it and why it has to be first you will agree. Also next week when we consider the "breastplate of righteousness it will become even clearer!
3. Why do we need the belt of truth?
Without Christ there is no battle for us! If we do not have the Lord Jesus as our saviour there is no Battle. Why because we are no threat to the enemy! If we are not with Jesus we are against Him! We are on the wrong side. There is a choice to be made, Choose Christ, or serve the devil. I don't care what you call it, spirituality, islam, hindu, wicca, buhddism, taoism. If it is not of God it is of the enemy! Without having Jesus first, there is no point putting on the rest of the armour, you don't need it!
4. So why does it have to be first?
I think we have already answered this but let's really understand it. Understand that it says "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth" This tense having means already done! Just as I said before if ewe are not with Jesus we are no threat to the devil. But there are those who are deceived and think they are serving God. I think of the example of the seven sons of a man named Sceva who tried to cast out demons in the name of Jesus "whom Paul preacheth" It says in Acts 19 "15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded." They hadn't received Christ so they were defenseless against the wicked one! "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We have to already have Christ on! Before we can do battle for the Lord we must enlist in His army. That means first we must have put on Christ. Don't deceive yourself if you have not the belt of truth, you don't need the rest of the Lord's armour. If Christ is on you, in you, let's get ready to Rumble!! Next week we will talk about the breastplate of righteousness.
