What Does It Mean To Grab Your Battle Rattle? Part 1 Series

In verse 13:

Christians need all the battle rattle gear (whole armor). It is not like choosing what shirt to wear with what pants, should I wear this with that, do I wear a tie, or what shoes go with that outfit. We cannot select what part of gear we will take for the day. It takes all the gear, all the armor. You will not see a firefighter running into a burning building without full protective gear. You will not see a medical team heading into surgery without their PPE (personal protective equipment). All means all. “Having done all to stand” is from a military term meaning to hold a watch-post or hold a critical position. how can we stand our ground if we have not done everything we are to do?

In verse 14:

In ancient times, the girdle around the loins held the other parts of the uniform in place. If the girdle were lost, the rest of the armor could be lost. If people do not know Jesus, they have already lost everything.

These next two verses indicate something we should have already done as a believer (having). The initial two pieces of God's reinforcement are noted in this verse. Paul portrays these pieces of a Roman soldier’s attire in the request they would have been put on. To begin with, Paul refers to the "belt of truth." In that time, a belt was tied around the midriff instead of clasped. It was subsequently "girt" or attached as Paul notes. These were not flimsy segments of material. A soldier’s belt was thick and solid. The remainder of a soldier’s armor was attached to this belt. For the Christian, truth is to be safely associated with us for our prosperity. Truth incorporated the precise information with respect to God and the uplifting news of Jesus (Ephesians 1:13; 4:15, 21, 25). Truth "ties together" all the other things we accept. Without bringing together truth, we simply have incoherent, separated pieces.

Second is the "breastplate of righteousness." This belt would hold the breastplate set up, just as the scabbard holds a sword (Ephesians 6:17). A Roman's breastplate would commonly be produced using bronze or networking chainmail and would cover the fundamental vital organs (heart, lungs, stomach). Righteousness is fundamental for securing the existence of the believer through spiritual fighting. Additionally, the breastplate is an essential method for knowing who the ally is; this is one of the clearer ways for soldiers to perceive each other in a battle. Moreover, a Christian's conduct is intended to distinguish them to the world, and different believers, as a supporter of Christ.

We should cover the heart. The righteousness of Christ protects your spiritual vital organs from Satan’s attacks. His commandments are truth (Psalms 119:151), we will know the truth (John 8:32), Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), the Holy Spirit is of truth (John 14:17), God is truth (Romans 3:4), and the Gospel is truth (Colossians 1:5). One sinned then judgment came, and righteousness was given by God (Romans 5:18: Philippians 3:9).