“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Eph 6:12
A skit at a youth event, Winterfest 2007, captures the essence of this passage in a relevant and dramatic way.
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Eph 6:13
That verse is both encouraging and chilling at the same time. It demonstrates what is available to us through Christ - which is encouraging.
What chills me though is the thought that “the evil day” is implied onto every Christian life. A day when evil knocks on your door ready to ambush your faith and destroy you spiritually - rendering you dead in the physical also.
It also implies that some will fall if they don’t have the whole armor and deal with the onslaught, holding on to everything they have. Some will not stand firm and fall - their faith ship wrecked as they are inadequate in their warfare “on that day”.
I don’t believe in the concept of eternal security as I have seen so many people die in their faith. The Father has truly given the Son those predestined and the Son won’t let them go. But how many of us are sure we are in the Son’s hands?
Why did Paul say this…
“..work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Why did Peter say this…
“Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure..”
These guys knew about the spiritual forces hell bent on our destruction and some of us will fall. As people who have said yes to Jesus, we become a fat blimp on the enemy’s radar screen. The ultimate terrorist to the human soul is prancing around looking for victims.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Pet 5:8
No wonder Paul, in his loving Pastor’s heart, spells out clearly what we need to do to ensure we are not snuffed out in our faith. I think we should all sit up, take notice, meditate on and implement his council to us. We are in a wrestle with an enemy we have no idea about. It took the death of Jesus to defeat the enemy. We can’t out fox a lion. Instead we need to put on the full armor of God.
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication”. Eph 6:14-18a
What you have said