Scripture Reference;
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV
———————————————————-
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10 KJV
Oh boy, where on earth do I begin? I guess I will pose a few questions. Who is the author of these words? The Apostle Paul. To whom is he writing? His brethren. Which brethren? All of his brethren, which include all who are faithful in Christ in his age, our age and in ages to come:
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1-2.
But there is a phrase that makes me a little nervous and at times can undermine my confidence. Here it is:
“the faithful”
I think I will take a break for a minute and pray…
…Okay, I’m back. Whenever I see the the word “faithful” words like “loyal”, “devoted”, and “obedient” come to my mind, and those words tend to make me uneasy, because even after I received Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord many many years ago I could never claim those titles as my own. There have been times when I walked more loyally, devotedly, and obediently than at other times…but have I ever made it through a day where I was 100% loyal, devoted, and obedient? No, I haven’t.
How about Paul? What did he have to say about himself both before and after he became a Christian? I am not remembering everything Paul ever said, but a few things do come to my mind. If anything comes to your mind (anything Paul ever said that you remember) that would have bearing… please feel free to share your thoughts. Here are some things that come to my mind:
“1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:1-14KJV
Here is the same passage in another version:
“1FOR THE rest, my brethren, delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him. To keep writing to you [over and over] of the same things is not irksome to me, and it is [a precaution] for your safety.
2Look out for those dogs [Judaizers, legalists], look out for those mischief-makers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.
3For we [Christians] are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit and by the Spirit of God and exult and glory and pride ourselves in Jesus Christ, and put no confidence or dependence [on what we are] in the flesh and on outward privileges and physical advantages and external appearances–
4Though for myself I have [at least grounds] to rely on the flesh. If any other man considers that he has or seems to have reason to rely on the flesh and his physical and outward advantages, I have still more!
5Circumcised when I was eight days old, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew [and the son] of Hebrews; as to the observance of the Law I was of [the party of] the Pharisees,
6As to my zeal, I was a persecutor of the church, and by the Law’s standard of righteousness (supposed justice, uprightness, and right standing with God) I was proven to be blameless and no fault was found with me.
7But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [[a]one combined] loss for Christ’s sake.
8Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),
9And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.
10[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [[b]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]
11That if possible I may attain to the [[c]spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].
12Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.
13I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.” Philippians 3:1-14 Amplified Bible
Now let’s look at this passage:
18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:18-25 KJV
…and here it is again in another version of the Bible:
15For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [[b]which my moral instinct condemns].
16Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it.
17However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me.
18For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.]
19For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing.
20Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [[c]fixed and operating in my soul].
21So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands.
22For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature].
23But I discern in my bodily members [[d]in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [[e]in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh].
24O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?
25O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:15-25 Amplified Bible
So was the Apostle Paul 100% loyal, devoted, and obedient? Based on the above passages of scripture, my answer must be “No”.
Now that I have established “to whom” Paul was writing…is writing, I would like to look at Ephesians 6:10 again, and think about “Being strong in the Lord”. I have run out of time today, but I think it will be a nice starting place for my next post.
—————————————————————–
Yikes! In Part One of this series I made a statement. Here it is:
” I will not be attempting to “teach” anyone how to interpret or apply the passage. As usual, I will be just sharing “glimpses”…Lord willing.”
Well, the whole tone of this entire post…Part 2 is…opinionated…preachy/teachy…I’m sorry. I guess I just am what I am….sigh.
Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please clickhere:http://pronetoponder.wordpress.com/category/about-salvation-very-important-words/ and make sure.
Do you have a Bible? If you don’t have one, you need not worry. Just click here:www.biblegateway.com They have many versions and translations of the Bible that you can read. Some of the best things in life are free!
Heather said,
January 17, 2012 at 12:56 am
have I ever made it through a day where I was 100% loyal, devoted, and obedient? No, I haven’t.
I believe I can relate to your reaction to the term “faithful”. The desire to be perfect is there, the intention is to not soil Christ’s name. And yet…
My personal struggle is with 1 John 3:9, which says that anyone born of God does not commit sin… Taken alone, in some translations, this verse looks as though he is saying that true believers just don’t sin anymore.
At any rate, your reference to Paul’s writing as well as the full context of John’s letter are comforting, and makes sense of the need to daily put to death fleshly desires.
Moore to ponder said,
January 17, 2012 at 1:22 am
“My personal struggle is with 1 John 3:9, which says that anyone born of God does not commit sin… Taken alone, in some translations, this verse looks as though he is saying that true believers just don’t sin anymore.”
Sigh………………………
Then there is the second chapter of James. Look at this verse:
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
That can chill to the bone, but it is also leveling,because of so many verses and entire passages in both the Old and New Testament that acknowledge that God’s chosen people…Christians do sin…like these ones:
“1Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
2Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
5I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
6My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” Psalm 130
——————————————————————————————-
Psalm 32
1Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
6For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
10Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
11Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
———————————————————————————-
“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.” Psalm 32:10
This verse should comfort us because David knew that mercy would compass him…because mercy would be required. Notice that David also used the word “shall”…that means he was trusting the Lord’s mercy not for his past sins alone, but also for his future sins.
Blessings,
Theresa
Heather said,
January 17, 2012 at 2:29 am
The Psalms offer such comfort and grounding in my life, Theresa.
Especially the first verse of Psalm 32
That can chill to the bone, but it is also leveling,because of so many verses and entire passages in both the Old and New Testament that acknowledge that God’s chosen people…Christians do sin…like these ones:
James is another hard read. Sobering, for sure. That particular statement you cited is excellent confirmation that none of us keeps God’s law perfectly…and shows how much we need to remain in close fellowship with the Lord via the Holy Spirit.
I have come to understand that although a Christian neither desires to sin nor habitually lives in willful sin, we still can trip (hence John’s reminder that we have an advocate in Christ Jesus…and the writer of Hebrews affirming Christ as our heavenly Priest). And we have Jesus’ own description of perfect forgiveness in His statement regarding “seventy times seven” and His wonderful promise that He will cast away none who come to Him.
Moore to ponder said,
January 17, 2012 at 2:34 am
Thank you Heather.
internet elias said,
January 17, 2012 at 1:36 am
Very good. Great post. Lots to think on. But one thing comes to mind about Paul. Meeting Christ so aglow it blinded Paul made a whamo of an impression on him
. By the purpose of God, Paul got a shortcut to some realities that not all are given opportunity to experience. God equipped Paul for the incredible mission of taking Christ to the Gentiles. Paul was given much since much would be required. And, I believe, because Paul was in full relationship with Christ, awareness of his flesh and once carnal nature was heightened. Encountering Light will show up lots of darkness. Before his conversion he had not known he was carnal. And though he remained in the body of flesh with its lusts, he always chose to serve God rather than the flesh. Thus, he was faithful due to obedience to the will of God in the things that were revealed to him.
Not sure I said what I was trying to say
. Hope so.
Carolyn
Moore to ponder said,
January 17, 2012 at 1:52 am
Thank you for commenting! I believe I understand what you are saying, because I have in the past studied with believers who make the same claims. Believers can disagree when it comes to interpreting scripture, and still pray for each other and encourage each other. I do not agree with the last three sentences in your comment, but I appreciate the spirit in which they were shared.
Blessings,
Theresa
Debbie said,
January 17, 2012 at 4:02 am
This is why I call you the wonderful woman of the Word.
And I love that we can love each other and be one, without agreeing about everything. love you, Theresa!
Thank you! And God bless you as you suit up for Him!
When I think of faithful, I think of faithful to call on His name, to believe Jesus is the Son of God, faithful to believe that God is our Father and Creator. Remember, I’m simple. . .
I am so blessed that you are doing this study with us!
love and prayers!
Moore to ponder said,
January 17, 2012 at 4:08 am
Deb, you are no more simple than I am. The things that you are able to glean from even the hardest passages in the Old Testament just amaze me. I have so much to learn from you. Love you.
Theresa
Linda said,
January 20, 2012 at 5:01 am
I’m grateful that you are “that way… preachy, teachy.” I like seeing a new perspective and I always learn when I visit.
I don’t set a very high standard for myself in being loyal, devoted, and obedient because, after all, I am a sinner. My measuring stick is to stay in love with my Savior and pray for forgiveness when I go the wrong way. Simple but reasonable, I think. Hugs to you… : )
Moore to ponder said,
January 20, 2012 at 9:48 pm
“My measuring stick is to stay in love with my Savior and pray for forgiveness when I go the wrong way.”
Me, too.
Hugs,
Theresa
bendedspoon said,
January 28, 2012 at 6:56 pm
I thank God for who you are Theresa — for the wonderful things He brought to me through you. I still have much to learn but for now faithful for me is:
F-or
A-lways
I-’m
T-rusting
H-im
F-or
U-nlimited
L-ove
Moore to ponder said,
February 3, 2012 at 6:39 am
I like that! I thank God for you,too.
Love,
Theresa