“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.” – Ephesians 6:13
Make no mistake…no matter how good, pleasant, and joyful things may be for you right now, you still live in a day and age that’s spiritually evil. Though you may or may not see it or feel it right now, one day, evil will make itself seen and felt in your life. God is doing wonderful things, but there’s a war going on between good and evil. As a follower of Jesus, if you’re going to persevere in doing the disciple-making, Kingdom-advancing work God has prepared for you to do, you’re going to need all the resources He has already given you!
Don’t go into any day, week, month, or year without the whole armor of God protecting you spiritually so you can withstand the attacks of all the forces, both earthly and spiritual, opposed to God. This battle is too difficult and painful to fight in your own strength and tools. You must choose to use God’s power He makes available to every believer:
TRUTH – know the truth of what God’s done for you and the world in Jesus Christ. Know His will and design for human flourishing. Know who you are in Christ. Embrace God’s truth, not “your truth”.
RIGHTEOUSNESS – live in daily pursuit of holiness, rejecting sin and seeking to live, think, and speak more and more like Jesus every day.
READINESS – to live and apply the gospel of peace which makes peace between you and God and enables you to take the risks needed to make peace with others.
FAITH – believe in the Lord, believe in His word and His promises, believe in His power, goodness, love, mercy, grace, and justice.
SALVATION – regularly think about the glorious truth of Who and how you were saved from eternal damnation, live and apply that salvation every day.
THE WORD OF GOD – read, meditate, study, memorize, and read some more from the Bible every single day!