Christians are soldiers of Christ. The New Testament is filled with imagery of war, battle, and fighting. It is not a carnal war, but a spiritual one (2 Cor. 10:3-5). In Ephesians 6:10-24, Paul gives a detailed description of the armor we are provided to fight and win the war.

Christians generally have done a good job of knowing about the different pieces of armor: truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, word of God. These need to be understood and used.

What we have failed at more often than not—generally speaking—is prayer (Eph. 6:18). It is the element that helps us don the armor, fight the fight, receive the strength, and press on. Paul requested the prayers of the Ephesians that he may speak boldly in teaching the gospel. How often do we pray, really pray, about the battles we are fighting?

If we will put on the armor of God and pray always, there is nothing that can stand in our way or stop our final victory.

Four classes of people are addressed in Ephesians 6:1-9: children, parents, slaves, masters. While the latter two are not part of our society, the principles of the relationships still apply to employees and employers or anyone doing a job for someone else.

If we would teach and heed the things in these passages, our homes and nation would be much better off. And, if the home is right it is hard to see how the workplace would not be right.

One thing I do want to especially note is that most Christians I know—the overwhelming majority—are very conscientious about their jobs and the work they do. We are an honorable bunch. It reflects well on members of the Lord’s church that the community and those we work with and for know our reputation. Let us leverage that influence to help lead people to Christ.

Ephesians 5:8-14 is an admonition to stay true to the Lord by walking in the light. Light and darkness are incompatible in both the physical and spiritual realms. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 Jn. 1:5). If we are in darkness, we are not in Christ.

As a child of God who has left darkness, our duty is to remain in the light…and more. We are charged with exposing the unfruitful works of darkness. This will bring a reaction. Darkness does not like to be exposed and rebuked. It will be difficult, but we must do it nevertheless.

Take note of three things in Ephesians 5:1-7.

First, we are to imitate God; mimic Him in love. The love is connected to the sacrifice of Christ. Hence, we are to sacrifice to please God and help others.

Second, worldly behavior—as exemplified by fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and course jesting—is contrary to the life of a child of God; to one who walks in love. Those who live in such a manner will not go to heaven. If we really want to go to heaven, not hell, we will get rid of these things in our lives.

Third, anyone who tells you to the contrary is a liar. The devil, through his servants, will try to get you to thing fornication, uncleanness, etc. are consistent with being a child of God. It is not so. If we listen to these lies, we will face the wrath of God—remember the flood, Sodom, and other instances where God judged men in His wrath.

A saint is expected to behave in a way that is pleasing to God. Any other behavior is unacceptable and damaging to our eternal well being. Let us be faithful and consistent in our life.

There are a lot of issues covered in Ephesians 4:25-32.

Christians are not to lie or have sinful anger. Anger is fine in its place. In fact, we must have righteous anger, for without it we are not truly passionate about the truth.

Saints are not to steal or use corrupt speech. We are commanded to work to provide for ourselves and help those in need. This is opposite of what some in the world espouse, that we should look for a handout whenever possible. Too, our words are to be good and tend toward a positive effect on the world.

We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit. If we do, we will pay the consequences. And, instead of having bitterness and a generally bad attitude, we are to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Not only will it lead to an eternal reward, it will also pay dividends in this life.

The gospel is perfect, addressing every area of man’s life. If we would only apply it consistently, we would be far better off and much happier.

There is a distinct point at which one goes from being lost in the world to being saved in Christ (Gal. 3:26, 27). However, growth is ongoing. All our old habits and desires do not die overnight. It is a constant battle to put on the new man. In Ephesians 4:17-24, Paul addresses this issue. If he had to admonish the great Ephesians saints in this matter, are we any exception?

One or two things to note here: the way of the world (Gentiles) is futile (4:17). The philosophy, religion, and wisdom of the world is bankrupt as far as spiritual matters go. There is nothing but ignorance and blindness; a condition we see as repugnant in any other pursuit in life.

Hence, we are told to renew our mind. It is to be educated, disciplined if you will, in Christ where truth may be found. By the way, spiritual truth is only found in Christ. We are to put of the old man, put on the new, honoring the very purpose for which we were created anew.

Your Deposit

Paul said, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Tim. 1:12).

In the context Paul is urging Timothy not to be ashamed of the word of God nor its faithful defenders (2 Tim. 1:8-11). Paul’s lack of shame with regard to these things brought him a great deal of suffering and was leading to his death (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Still, he had confidence in God. It was He that Paul believed in and knew to be faithful.

Paul made a commitment. The original Greek word here is parathēkē and means “a deposit, a trust or thing consigned to one’s faithful keeping” (Thayer). Paul had committed his soul to God. In a sense he had deposited his soul with the Lord for safe keeping.

It used to be many people had “safe deposit boxes” at the bank (some still use them). Valuable papers, jewelry, and cash were often stored in them. The idea was that the bank is a secure location and the safe deposit box room was fortified against fire and other potential disasters. So it is with the soul’s safe keeping with God.

There is nothing more valuable than the soul. In fact, Jesus said that it would be a losing deal to trade your soul for the whole world (Mark 8:36). With such a high worth, what better place to “deposit” your soul for safe keeping than with the Almighty God? Paul was confident God could preserve it until the Judgment. We need that confidence too.

Jesus made a similar argument in John 10:27-29. When a man or woman places their soul into the keeping of the Lord, no one is able to steal them away. Can a person leave the Lord’s safe keeping? Yes. However, as long as a man stays committed to God, as Paul did, his soul is secure.

Insecurity of the soul comes when we do not have it safely deposited with the Lord. Many are not truly committed to Him. It is like the man who believes his money is secure on the blackjack table. He is convinced his money will return to him…usually in abundance. He does not see the inherent risk and ultimate loss. Still, he confidently places his bet.

Many gamble with their soul. Some deposit it with themselves by following their own dictates, which only leads to destruction (Prov. 14:12). Others put their treasure into the safe keeping of the doctrines and traditions of man, which will be uprooted in the last great day (Matt. 15:7-14). The security they suppose they have is just an illusion—just like the chips on the blackjack table.

When your soul is on deposit with God, you will be able to endure tremendous trials and suffering. Paul was able “to suffer these things” because he entrusted his soul to the Lord. A committed Christian can be ridiculed, mocked, scorned, cursed, beaten, threatened with death, and even endure it, without reservation (cf. 2 Cor. 4:7-18; 11:23-33). There is nothing to intimidate a child of God because he knows Who is on his side. “Do what you will, I know the Lord will be with me,” is his declaration.

Where is your soul deposited? Have you entrusted it to the fleeting things of this world? Have you in your finite wisdom decided to guard it yourself? Or, is it in the protection of the Creator? One is secure, the other inherently insecure.

There is a oneness in the body of Christ like no other on earth. God has designed it this way so we may help each other get to heaven. Everything needed to unify the body and provide for its growth is supplied. Each member of the body must do his/her part. When this is done, we are not only protected from false doctrine, but also becoming more like our Savior.

We need to examine ourselves to see if we are contributing to the unity, health, and growth of the body or hindering it. Then we either need to keep up the good work, not growing weary, or change our ways so we may be a blessing to the church.

It is hard to imagine, but wonderful to contemplate, that God’s plan of saving man in the church is an eternal plan. God worked it out in spite of man’s rebellion and Satan’s scheming. If He could bring about the establishment of the church and the securing sacrifice of His Son, He can bring about our final redemption in the Lord.

Paul was pleased to preach this salvation in Christ and did not want the saints to become weary because of his tribulations. Sometimes we can see fellow Christians being abused and become discouraged. Rather than this, we ought to be encouraged that they are willing to endure such for the Lord. Would we want someone else to lose heart over our suffering for the Savior?

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21, is beautiful. First, Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. He is with us when His word is with us (Rom. 10:17). Second, the love of Christ passes knowledge; that is, it is overwhelmingly abundant and beyond human ability to fully comprehend. Third, the Lord is able to do even more than we can imagine…and He does. What a blessing; what a God!

Weeds

Are there too many weeds in your yard? Mine too; and we need to get rid of them.

It will take effort and may cause some discomfort. However, when it is done, we will be grateful and blessed by the Lord.

That’s right, we are talking about “those weeds.” The ones that choke out the word. The ones Jesus talked about in the Parable of the Sower. In Mark 4:18, 19, He explained the seed that fell among the thorns. It sprouted and grew for a while, but “the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

We can become so easily distracted and entangled in the weeds of life that our service and devotion to the Lord suffers. Eventually, these things can completely kill our commitment to God. It takes time and effort, and a steadfast determination, to get rid of the weeds and produce fruit.

To see how bad things might actually be, think about this…maybe even write these things down on a piece of paper to truly see how many weeds are in your yard.

How much time do you spend going to Bible class and worship services compared to watching television?

How much time do you spend in school or recreational activities (band, football, basketball, scouts) compared to reading your Bible and praying?

Are these fair comparisons? You be the judge. You also need to be honest with yourself. Are you spending enough time in spiritual pursuits or are the cares of this world choking you to death…and you like it?