Ephesians 6
In our congregation we call the middle
school youth and confirmation program, “611.” It is a reference to Ephesians
6:11, and an allusion to dialing 411 for information. The information we give
in the class is essential for our walk of faith in this life. And fitting with
that image of walking, we put it on an image like a highway sign to remind the
students that as we travel through this world we put on the whole armor of God
in order to be able to stand against the devil’s schemes.
In our congregation we call the middle
school youth and confirmation program, “611.” It is a reference to Ephesians
6:11, and an allusion to dialing 411 for information. The information we give
in the class is essential for our walk of faith in this life. And fitting with
that image of walking, we put it on an image like a highway sign to remind the
students that as we travel through this world we put on the whole armor of God
in order to be able to stand against the devil’s schemes.
For all of us the 611 is a reminder that
this world is not neutral. We live in enemy territory where we wrestle, not
with flesh and blood but, with, “the rulers, against the authorities, against
the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of
evil in the heavenly places.” It is worth noting that “wrestling” in the
original text is a noun, and not a participle. Literally, “It is not to us a
fight/battle/ wrestling against flesh and blood.” It highlights that this life
is spent in spiritual struggle.
So what makes up the whole armor of God?
Truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, and salvation make up the
panoply of protective gifts God gives us. Each of these defends us from
temptation, guilt, accusations, discouragement, and fear as we face the strife
that comes our way when our faith in Jesus takes hold of us and our lives.
Remember, the devil’s goal is always to undermine our faith and raise doubts
regarding God’s goodness and our salvation. We need to be surrounded in such a
personal way to deal with such intimate attacks. The word we translate as, “put
on,” is related to the Greek word for skin, and it reminds us that these gifts
touch us, cover us, and we are clothed in them just as we are clothed in Christ
in our baptism!
Paul concludes this martial image urging
us to use two weapons which complement our armor. They are God’s Word, which he
calls the Sword of the Spirit, and prayer. These tools are essential to our
life and struggle. When we face temptation, sorrow at our sin, or fear we flee
to God’s Word to beat back the assault on our faith, and God’s Word strikes
viciously reminding us that Christ has won the victory, decapitating the world’s
accusations against us. Then we can turn to prayer, calling on our Father to
spread His kingdom and bring the gospel to those who are captive to sin, so
they may be freed in Christ, too.
Lord, clothe me in Your armor and defend me
with Your weapons. Amen.
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