Put God’s Protecting, Empowering Armor to Use!

WORD FROM THE CENTER:
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s verses are Ephesians 6:10–12, where the Bible gives us this encouragement along with a warning:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Put God’s Protecting, Empowering Armor to Use!

Have you heard about the class action lawsuit aimed at a company called Second Chance Body Armor? Second Chance manufactures bulletproof vests for police officers and security personnel. Their products are used by hundreds of police departments throughout the country.

Apparently, several policemen have been killed while they were wearing the vest. Following some independent field tests on several of their vests, a flaw was discovered in some of them compromising their ability to do what they were intended to do, to stop a bullet that was fired at those whom the vest was designed to protect.

The company was sued for misrepresenting the quality of its product. The lawsuit alleged that the company withheld information about known defects in its “bulletproof” vests and sold them anyway. The company responded by participating in a voluntary replacement program for anyone who had purchased one of the potentially flawed vests at no cost to the end user. Along with its replacement program, the company has posted an apology on its website for any inconvenience that their faulty vests may have caused anyone.

Inconvenience? Policemen were killed because of the ineptitude and deception; they lost their lives because of the false promises. The Attorney General spearheaded the class action lawsuit which Second Chance lost. Upon receiving the terms of the settlement, it promptly filed for bankruptcy to avoid having to actually pay out the claims.

What is the margin for error when your life is at stake? There is none, right? That’s why today’s text is so important. Against the forces of darkness, even the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly realms, you and I are going to need armor that protects us and also allows us to face such battles with the assurance that the tools at our disposal are up to the task. And that’s the point -- the full armor of God is up to the task! Trust in God’s protection and power, and you will never be disappointed. St. Paul knew the power of faith in Jesus and that’s why he here tells us to “be strong in the Lord.” That’s not some religious call to do your best for Jesus. Instead, it’s a summons to remain in Christ, and then to receive and “put on” the gifts of His armor.

As Paul goes on to explain in Ephesians 6:13-17, this involves “girding our loins” with God’s Word of truth. It means being fitted with “the breastplate of righteousness,” a protection that is ours through faith in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. In Him, then, our feet are firm with the proclamation that there is good news for sinners; our shield is our trust in Him; our helmet of salvation is held high because our life is forever with Him; and His Word provides the ability to move forward each day with a “sword” that protects and empowers us. Wow! What blessings! They provide protection which works every time.

Put them to work as you face the challenges of the day and the challenges that this sinful world brings at you. Then, even as you face the last enemy, death itself, you can boldly declare these words from 1st Corinthians 15:

“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now that’s powerful, empowering spiritual protection for life and forever!

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for providing eternal life and salvation for us. Thank You for also providing us with spiritual protection now. Give us confidence and power to face life head-on until the day we see You face to face in eternity. AMEN

[1] https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-second-chance-body-armor-president-settles-false-claims-act-case-related-defective

Previous
Previous

Elite (Utopian) Heaven? Or Real Hell on Earth?

Next
Next

Pastor, Who Are You Voting For?