The Steemchurch and A call to Put On the Whole Armour Of God As Knights For Battle
My humble greetings to promoters of the Gospel of Christ here on steemit. Grace and Peace to you all the readers.
I write in Humility through the #Apostles to @Sirknight (my mentor) to admonish her members of @steemchurch (the first church in the blockchain) on this topic I'm writing on, a call to true Knighthood and apostleship, putting on the whole armour of God as Soldiers of Christ.
Putting On the whole Armour of God as Soldiers of Christ; Who a Knight is, and a call to true Apostleship
I'm taking my main text from Ephesians 6:10-18
The sixth division of the book of Ephesians introduces us to true Apostleship and a need to active for warfare as Soldiers of Christ.
Paul admonished the people of Ephesus saying:
"The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light."
Who is a Knight?
Lexicographically, the word "Knight" translates to - A Warrior, (especially of the middle ages). It describes one under knighthood who serves his sovereign Lord as a soldier in armour.
To me, the word "Knight" goes beyond being defined as a title given by a monarch or political leader for military purposes, rather it's a FUNCTION (not a title). Meanwhile, our focus is the relevance of the Knight to the Church.
The Knight as a Soldier of Christ
I'm strictly referring to the religious-military order. The fundamental function of Knighthood is to defend the Church, protect her members and the sick and to further the battle for Christianity. On the other hand, we are called to participate in this function, be it physical or spiritual (of which my major focus lies).
God bless @SirKnight and His Apostles.
Source
Let's consider our main text.
St. Paul (the author of 13 epistles in the New Testament, one who transformed from a Persecutor to radical Preacher of God's Word under the influence of the Holy Spirit) says:
Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.
Lift up over all the [covering] shield of[c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). Ephesians 6
In our spiritual warfare as Conquerors, we fight under the direction of the Holy Spirit for God has made us Victors
The armour of God is for warfare. It is true that Jesus has won the battle for us.. but still, he left us in the battle field as Victors. In the words of David - "God has also trained our battle for war".
We are more than conquerors. We are overcomers of this world. We are made victorious (by our faith, though the blood of Jesus Christ). This means that we are not trying to fight the devil to gain victory by our strength, rather, He (God) fights for us. (Exodus 14:14, Psalm 35:1)
The Bible recorded saying, "it's not by power, neither is it by might but it's by the Spirit of God. Our warfare is to fight the good fight of faith that we might be victorious and stand firm over the works of the devil.
Indeed our warfare is not carnal, so is our weapons. He tells us to put away fear, because Christ Himself won the battle and has made us overcomes and conquerors.
What do we fight against as members of @steemchurch and why?
Under the order of @SirKnight as stated in the vision and mission of@ Steemchurch, we fight against wrong doctrines. It's clearly stated that we wrestle against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places.
A victor is not a victor until he fights. Oppositions ushers us into promotions. If there is nothing like s combat, then there is nothing like a victory. So therefore, we have to put on the whoile armour of God so that we may be able to withstand in the evil day.
PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD
As Christians, we are automatically in the armour of God, but you must stand, knowing it, growing it and putting it into use. The armour is the endowment you have of God to remain victorious.
Our lions must be girt about with truth. The truth of God's Word, The truth that we are victorious through his blood. The truth that we are called to be different, distinguished from those of the world... and to propagate the gospel of Jesus.
The helmet is on your head because that's where your glory is. It is the beginning of your new life (first fruit). It's the intermediate between your spirit and flesh I.e the state of your soul.
Breastplate is the state of your spirit man. The nature you posses. It houses the heart which represents your spirit. The breastplate of righteousness implies that we maintain our righteousness in Christ and do away with sin.
The belt of truth represents your walk in d things of God; your revelation of him; the spiritual move that keeps yu fit; your fellowship with God and the ability to reproduce God.
Our feet should be shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; the act of Evangelism and commitment to the teachings of the Gospel and preaching through your actions and words. It implies your work in ministry.
The sword of the spirit is one that you use to declare victory. It reflects the word of God. You must learn how to use your sword.
Understanding The Differences
The disparity, the ultimate stuff that differentiates believers and their levels of successes is found here. The reason some Christians look more victorious than the others is revealed in the usage of the sword.
A soldier who can't use the sword is susceptible to loosing the battle. Knowledge of the sword and its corresponding understanding launches the believer into wisdom that will navigate them to victory. It is the sword of the spirit because it is by spiritual direction; by d authority of the Word.
The shield doesn't fight but you fight to keep it ever defensive . Its to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. It protects the whole Armour.
FAITH
Above all, taking the shield of faith, so that you can be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
The sword and faith work together. As you defend with faith, you strike with the Word which is the sword. Faith is your boldness, strength, assurance (in the victory that God has provided for you. The devil's plan is to get the shield off your hand for his advantage.
My final greetings to the members of Steemchurch, to @sirknight - the humble founder, to the indefatigable #Apostles - (@tremendospercy, @gniksivart, @tikhub, @abiye, @prime-cleric, @Jaff8, @owoblow-steemit , @darleny01) and to the entire contributors to the promotion of the Gospel on the blockchain...
I say to you all:
Peace be to you all brethren, and love joined with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Grace (God's undeserved favor) be with all of you who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible [love]. Amen (so let it be).
(Eph 6:23-24)
Kindly resteem as a means of spreading the Gospel. God bless you.
Your humble preacher @gracehills
4 days old post
How did we miss this
This was quite an effort
Terrific
Resteemed
OS!!
Thanks a lot, @steemchurch.
I remain grateful.
Very well written. I believe that so many Christians believe, and are taught from the pulpit, that the whole armor of God is just a metaphor. As you have pointed out, it is so much more than that.
Thanks for your contribution @johncalvin. It's truly much that a metaphor.
I believe as parents we should teach our children these principles in an easy to understand way from a young age. The world is full of battles and it's our job to arm them with the knowledge needed to fight for what we believe is right.
That's absolutely true. Train up a child in the way he wound grow, and when he grows, he won't depart from it. (Proverbs)