Stand Firm

When we have learned to be seated in heavenly places (2:6) and to walk in love and in the light (5:2, 8), we are called to be strong and to stand firm (6:10,11). The bride of Chapter 8 must become an overcomer if she is to wear the crown and reign with Jesus. As such, she is called to be a soldier.

We saw in the first part of chapter 6 that Paul continues the theme of the Spirit-filled life as it applies to the relationship between children and parents; workers and masters. One major thought here is concerning ‘fathers’ who “provoke their children to anger.” It could well be mothers but is most commonly fathers. It is interesting that many psychologists consider “anger” as the fruit of inward wounds – wounds of the soul produced by fathers (and mothers) who do not fill their love- tank child with love (hugs, kisses, identity, morals, self-esteem, security, goals, etc.). It is my sad reflection that such wounds of the soul are the most effective weapons Satan uses in defeating many believers.

An interesting study is to consider what it means to be an ‘overcomer’ and to see the rewards of such overcoming. Let us take ‘time out” to consider 3 verses in 1 John that speak about overcoming. 1 John 2:12-14 .

Here John places all believers in one of three categories which he calls, little children, fathers and young men.

Little children are those whose sins have been forgiven for His name’s sake (v12) and they can call God ‘Father’ (13). This is true of all who have been born again by the Spirit. They may know nothing of theology or church history but they ca n say two things: “My sins are forgiven and I can call Him ‘Father’.” Note that this has nothing to do with chronological age. I know many believers, well on in age, who have sadly never progressed beyond this stage – they have remained childish!

Fathers are those who have come to know Him who is from the beginning. This is not just a head knowledge but an intimacy as God has made Himself known to them. This is the goal of Paul’s prayer in Eph 1:17.

This is Christian maturity – knowing Him. Note that this is not chronological age either, nor is it gender based. Happily, I know many young men and women who have come to know God in a deep personal way – they are spiritual ‘fathers’.

There is only one way we may progress from those early days of being ‘little children’ to a place where God makes Himself known to us as we progress in maturity – it is by being “young men”.

Again, this is not a chronological age nor a gender term.

Young men are those who have overcome the evil one (v13); they are strong because the word of God abides in them (v14). To every weapon of Satan they have an answer in the Word of God.

They counteract his lies with Biblical truth. e.g., the enemy might gloat over your failure and say, “God doesn’t love you any more as you have disappointed Him!” This lie is counteracted by the truth that “nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:39).

Whenever we are tried by o ur circumstances, by Satan’s lies, by temptations from the world, God is watching to see how we react. He is on the sidelines cheering us on. As we overcome, He rejoices and reveals more of His character to us.

Now let us look at the overcomers of Rev 2, 3 – where John sees the glorified Christ and is instructed to write to the sever churches of Asia Minor. To end each letter, Jesus speaks of rewards given to “those who overcome”.

Rev 2 : the overcomer shall eat of the tree of life (v7); shall not be hurt by the second death (v11); shall feed on hidden ‘manna’ and shall be given a white stone and a new name (v17); shall be given authority over nations and the morning star (v26-8).

Rev 3 : the overcomer shall be clothed in white and have his name confessed before the Father and angels (v5); will be made a pillar in the eternal temple and shall receive the three-fold mark of God (v12); shall sit down with Jesus on His throne – reign with Him (v21).

This is why the Lord allows believers to go through some hard tests with suffering and opposition, and why He often seems to stay out of the difficulty even when we cry to Him in prayer. He wants us to become overcomers in the difficulty rather than Him delivering us from it. He has given us the Holy Spirit to be our helper in the battle and has given us armour to wear. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

Further, we should become adept in the “word” to understand th e tactics of the enemy, Satan. Paul was quick to forgive, so he wouldn’t give Satan an advantage ‘for we are not ignorant of his tactics’ (2 Cor 2:11). Earlier in Ephesians, he exhorted us not to ‘let the sun go down on our wrath lest we give the devil a foothold’ (4:27).

Again, the devil will fire his ‘flaming arrows’ (6:16) – lies we so easily allow into our minds and believe. Peter describes him as a ‘roaring lion’ seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8) – those roars that affect our emotions and frighten us into cowardice in the battle. Remember that the roar is all he can do, for he has lost his teeth and claws!! Jesus disarmed him at the cross – Colossians 2:15.

The battle truly is the Lord’s , but we are to be armed to overcome.

Now let us return to Ephesians chapter 6: V 11: Put on the full armour of God.

V12 – 13: Note where our focus should be in this battle – it is not other people, believers or otherwise. This is where our energies should be directed. We are, of course, to oppose the flesh (our old self nature) but even that is a battle of the spirit rather than a battle of the material. We must see the enemy beyond the personality.

‘Principalities’ are spiritual overseers of governments, nations, etc.

‘Powers’ are demonic ‘pirates’ who carry out the devil’s work in smaller areas.

‘Rulers of darkness’ influence those who influence others – politicians, educators, philosophers, etc.

‘Spiritual wickedness’ refers to overseers of religion, etc.

These are approximate divisions of the various ranks of angels (fallen) and were a common understanding in Paul’s day.

V14: Truth is the key garment to which all others are tied or joined. We desperately need truth or integrity in all our actions. The breastplate of righteousness guards our hearts; our feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace – we are always on mission!

Note that there is no armour for the back! One cannot turn and run away!

V17, 18: The offensive weapons are a sword (the Word of God) and prayer in the Spirit. By these we shall be overcomers, so we had better learn how to use them! I am amazed at how many believers go into battle without being “prayed up”!

Finally, in 1 Thess 5:8, Paul adds to this armour, “Put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.” Again , we see Paul’s three jewels – he puts them together at least 7 times in his letters, most notably in that great chapter on love – 1 Cor 13 13 – “Now, faith, hope, love abide these three, but the greatest of these is love” .

We so seldom recognise the greatness of (Christian) hope, associating it with its weak English meaning. “I hope it doesn’t rain today” , – but it might!

To Paul, hope was something far greater. Before King Agrippa, he would declare, “These Jews accuse me of insurrection, but I stand before you today for the hope of the resurrection! (Acts 26:1- 8 paraphrased). He is not saying, “I hope there’s a resurrection and that I have not given up my gr eat career to follow this way!” He is saying, “I know that I know that I know there is a resurrecti on for me!” He has a certainty within him.

I define hope as “an attribute of the mind and is evidenced in confidence”. This is why the helmet is called the hope of salvation .

Similarly, “faith is an attribute of the heart and is evidenced in obedience.”

I trust these short chapters have been a blessing to you as you seek to draw close to Him - learning to be seated in Him and to walk in love and the light. May you be an overcomer to whom the Lord is happy to reveal more of His character.

Let me close with Paul’s prayer: (1:15 -20; 3:16-19) I pray that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe … that He would grant to you, according to the riches of His glory, t o be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

To Him be glory in the church!!

THE END