Chesthair

Now that truth is a normal, everyday part of your life and that you have stopped trying to uncover or discover your own truth you are ready to stand. You are now ready to be an effective force in your world and those that are closest to you.

The second piece you put in place is the breastplate. It’s described as righteousness.

“with the breastplate of righteousness in place…” (vs 14)

A little history; this piece of equipment in the legion is called the Lorica Segmentata, it was constructed of strips of metal fastened together by leather. This was standard issue to the legions during the reign of Augustus. This piece of equipment weighed from 20 to 30 pounds, its design was to protect the vital organs of the legionnaire. The metal was designed to deflect a dart or sword attack, which the shield or sword failed to stop. The goal is to protect the vital organs, from enemy attack.

This parallels the righteous life, when we live a righteous life; our vital organs are protected from enemy attack. For example, the Christian who knows the word of God (Sword of the spirit) and has great faith (shield of faith), but lives an unrighteous life, is open to enemy attack, regardless how well they are able to use the other pieces of equipment. That person has put down the breastplate of righteousness; their vital organs are exposed to the attack of the enemy.

That is why the second item is armor that covers your most vital areas if righteousness and that it connects and rests on the belt of truth. But it’s not your truth and not your righteousness’s that protects you, but that which only comes from God. It is only through what Jesus did that you and I are made right in God’s sight. That is why you and I need to allow God’s truth to convict us of sin, ask for forgiveness so we can be renewed and washed in the righteousness of Christ.

“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:21-23)

Your waistline

Each day we live we find that there is struggles and joys; hardships and heart-filled moments. In essence the daily grind of life easily pulls you off track from what is right, honest and true. Society models that as long as it’s not on the nightly news it’s ok to do whatever you would like. As the words to a popular song once said, “if it makes you happy, it can’t be that bad.” I have found that it sure can be bad, that my standard is not good enough to navigate what proper truth is in which to live by.

The Apostle Paul says “having girded your waist with truth”… The first piece of equipment he describes is the belt of truth. The Roman Legion belt was first known as balteus, later it became known as cingulum militare, they were the mark of a solider, common citizens did not wear the distinct belt of a legion. On the belt would the gladius or sword, fastened to the belt, which also kept the tunic and armor in place. The distinct medal studded strips of leather, was unique to the legions belt. The belt allowed kept the equipment in place, the same way truth keeps the spiritual weapons in place. Truth means what is real, as opposed to what is not real or false. The New Testament rests on the reality of Jesus, Jesus makes this point very clear in John.

“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

On the identity of Jesus, the whole armor of God described here in Ephesians rests. This is an important point, because many cults have a “Jesus” as part of their faith. However, the “Jesus” they have is a false Jesus, not the biblical Jesus. So without the truth, they are without any armor, and still in Satan’s grasp. The same is true for each believer, without a constant diet of partaking of Jesus’ truth and the word of God it we will be vulnerable and fall. What things in your life are dishonest and shady? Confess them today and get assistance with the word of God and other believers and start right each day in truth.

Expedition of Life

I remember reading the story in the Bible about Adam and Eve for the first time. I was fascinated and amazed as I was told the story. As a kid I had a picture Bible and I would love to see those images and imagine what it was like.

Genesis tells us that God would walk with them in the garden in the cool of the day. Wow, walking with God and chatting about life, amazing! Boy do I wish my daily walk with God was like this, but the Psalmist (Psalm 23) seems to describe my walk with God more accurately. Because of sin I often walk in a dark, death filled valley.

Because my valley walk is uncertain it’s really hard to follow God as He walks me through my day. It tests my trust in Him and requires me to let go more than I am often willing. Instead I usually take control of my days. And if I am not careful that builds to a norm of being in control weekly, monthly, yearly and eventually a total takeover occurs.

Have you ever taken back control, tried to lead God through your daily walk?

A few weeks ago, my family took a nature hike with my daughter’s class. The group included the experienced guide, the classmates, their siblings, teachers and parents. As we started I was next to my two kids, but as we trekked deeper and deeper into the woods, my son made his way to the front of the pack. For the majority of the hike I did not see him, he was glued to the guide. Not only was he eager to blaze the trail, but often he would step in front of the guide. When he did, the guide would ask him to step back behind him. No matter how eager he was, he did not know where he was going and certainly he was not equipped to lead those behind him.

Again I ask; who is in charge of your life? Is Jesus your expedition guide or do you struggle keeping behind Him? Are you leading Jesus or is Jesus leading you? I hope you work hard each day to follow Jesus because the days we live are evil and dark and often we don’t realize that those that follow us don’t need to follow us, they need to see us following Jesus.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

Off Track!

Being able to stay on course in life is one of the most challenging tasks a person can undertake. Why? Well because the many twists and turns that life throws at us. Some are a natural result of our decisions, others are unexpected. Being able to listen to God is a key skill that keeps a person on track through a variety of seasons.

Years ago Heather and I knew a friend who had parents that where deaf. They were very nice people and from the outset you would never guess what they did. When I learned of it, I must admit I was surprised.

One would think that a person that cannot hear would work to overcome that lack of a sense. And they did, but at the same time they also secretly where proud of how deaf they were. When they were around other deaf people often their interactions became a competition as to who was the “most deaf person”. When our friend told us this I was astonished and thought “why would someone proudly compete over a deficiency?” It made no sense to me. Now please understand, I by no means can relate to a deaf person and I can’t fully understand their struggles so I am not trying to demean them by sharing this.

But it makes me wonder how proud we are of our inability to hear God. Sure in and around our Christian friends and most definitely around the pastor we put our best ears on, but do we secretly settle for our inability to hear God’s direction? Do we honestly live each day with a pride that we don’t really need to hear God’s voice and make corrections in our daily course? I have realized that it often it comes out in a lack of concern or passion to find God’s will or hear His voice.

If that is you and you are comfortable or even secretly prideful for being spiritually deaf, ask God today to stir your passion for His voice and to bring clarity to His will for your life.

“Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live…” (Isaiah 55:3)