Band of Brothers

Faith is a major element to the Christians life, so important that the Bible tells us that without it we can’t even please God. Even Jesus was consistently looking for a person’s faith in how they responded to events in their lives. Today is no different and if you and I want to put a smile on God’s face we need to use our faith. Faith is a shield, which allows us to put an immediate end to many of Satan’s attacks. But it’s not just a defensive weapon, it’s also an offensive weapon. The shield of faith is potent!

A little history:
For the Romans the shield was the same. The Roman shield was actually designed and curved to allow the force of the sword or arrow to be deflected to the sides; that is good defense. Additionally the metal boss in the center, designed to hit the enemy at impact, allowed the legionnaire to follow up with his sword, to subdue the opponent. This proved excellent offense.

Let me tell you that every person operates on faith! Yep, even the atheist uses faith. For example if an atheist was to met you for lunch, he does not know for certain that you will show up until he actually sees you waiting for him. So he uses reason and logic based on experience and history to determine the probability you will show up. Our atheist has reasoned faith.

But as a Christian, faith is not based in reason as much as it is based in God Himself. Sure there is logical and reasoned evidence to have faith in God (He provides excellent references), but your faith in Him is based in who He is. Your faith attaches to the truth of God (Belt of truth) and works in conjunction with the word of God (the sword of the Spirit). In other words, your faith and its strength is directly tied to your knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. If we fail to give God’s Word a place of priority our lives it is only a matter of time before our faith will begin to fail. The presence of or absence of faith is determined by the presence of or absence of God’s Word in our lives.

This is why Paul said in Romans 10:17 that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” God’s Word and faith are so tied together that where there is no Word, there is no faith. And where there is no faith it is because the Word of God is absent. This gives us power and ability to stand against Satan’s attacks (Paul uses the word duvnamai Dunamai, meaning having power or strength, being capable).

As I mentioned on Sunday the fiery dart was more than silly flash paper, but in Roman times it was an iron tipped arrow, dipped in oil then lit on fire and shot at opposing forces. This flaming arrow was also often filled with pitch that would explode on impact and if it found it’s mark it would burn the solider from inside his armor. The shield of faith protects against such nasty wounds.

How does this work in the real world? Let’s say “Joe Christian” and co-worker “Jane Unbeliever” are at lunch break. Jane says, “Why do you believe in Jesus?” “How can you believe in such a religion that is so fake?” Now Jane might be asking a sincere question, or she could be a flaming arrow shot straight at faith’s heart. If Joe does not know how to use his shield of faith, he might come away asking “Yeah, why do I believe, there are so many hypocrites in Christianity.” Instead Joe has been reading the word of God and his response is to explain his faith from the word of God to Jane. His faith is strengthen and Jane experiences God in real life!

Now God allows us to experience warfare, because through it our faith can grow. And let me tell you satan has literally hundreds of fiery darts he can fire at us, in each case; we should learn how to take his attacks and train to respond. Ask yourself, what fiery darts give you the most problems? And choose to raise your level of faith, by learning scripture and the evidences contained within it. The more we engage in spiritual combat training, the more effective we can be with our spiritual weapons.

Famous Footwear

A firm footing and foundation is vital in life. It is especially important when the path before you is rocky and difficult. With the right shoes for the task ahead a person becomes steadfast and unmovable. That is why the Apostle Paul told us, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Our feet are the method in which we move in this physical world; simply put its how you get from “A” to “B”. And often we chose which shoes to wear that day based on form not function. But as a believer in Jesus the ONLY shoes given to you is the Gospel. Paul describes them as “the SANDALS of the GOSPEL OF PEACE…” (vs15).

A little history: The Roman legion represented, the kingdom of Rome, where they walked was Roman territory, or was being conquered for Rome. The Roman boot was designed to stand ground in battle. The Roman boot was fitted with metal studs, like the cleats of football player, to help him maintain ground in battle. These shoes where state of the art for their time. It enabled the armies of Rome to march long distances faster than their enemy and arrive to the battlefield more refreshed than their opponent, ready for battle.

Just like Rome of its day, God’s kingdom advances and is unstoppable. What is the method God uses to advance his kingdom? Is it through the spread of democracy? Is it through higher living standards? Through education? No, it’s through the Gospel, the good news, which changes lives for eternity. Offering the lost person, liberty from satan’s power, is achieved by the spread of the Gospel. The territory we walk on is currently given to our enemy, satan. But regardless of the enormous effort put forth by him, they only way he can stop this advancement is when the saved person is not willing to tell others the Good News, the Gospel. It is here satan wins.

You say “oh I am not an extrovert”, or “I am scared to share my faith, or the dreaded “what if….” You forget there are many ways in which to share the Gospel. It can be offering a prayer, demonstrating the beauty and power of a saved life and of course actually telling people about Jesus. Sometimes we plant the seed of gospel, other times we water what was planted by others and from time to time we will get the privilege of harvesting that seed of the gospel and witness transformation from sinner to saint.

You and I abandon this pursuit because of many excuses, but they are all excuses! None of our reasons for not sharing stand the test to Jesus. Remember that you get to tell people the GOOD NEWS! It’s good for a reason.

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)

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)