6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.
6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.
6:12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers
of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly places.
6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able
to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand
firm.
6:14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist,
and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
6:15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to
proclaim the gospel of peace.
6:16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will
be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
6:17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God.
6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication.
To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all
the saints.
6:19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to
me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare
it boldly, as I must speak.
Comments:
The military language in this passage calls to mind the power of the
Roman Empire in the first century. Followers of Christ are to put on
the armor of God and remain strong in the face of cosmic evil forces.
Check out the story, "The Whole Armor," by John Duckworth in his book,
_Stories that Sneak up on You_ (Fleming H. Revel, 1987). Also
available in _High-Impact Worship Dramas_ (Group, 1999). The story is
about a man who goes to buy the armor he needs to fight the battle in
which he's enrolled to fight. Instead of the girdle of truth (which is
so constricting because the truth is one size fits all) the salesman
convinces him to buy the Sash of Sincerity (a string which ties around
his waist). Instead of the breastplate of righteousness the salesman
convinces him to buy the sports shirt of niceness (it has a smiley
face embroidered over the pocket). For the shoes of the Gospel the
salesman suggests the shoestrings of the Gospel which have crosses all
over them. The salesman points out that the crosses will be seen by
others and that the better buy would be the socks of the Gospel. They
have crosses, too; but the crosses won't be as noticeable. For the
shield of faith, the salesman suggests buttons of belief with such
slogans as "HONK IF YOU BELIEVE," and "MAKE BELIEVE, NOT WAR." For the
helmet of salvation the salesman suggests the headband of security. It
is made of absorbent terry cloth which keeps you dry in the heat of
battle. For the sword of the spirit the salesman has the tie tack of
tolerance. When the man pays for his "armor" by check, he is asked to
make it out to B. L. Z. Bub. As the man is leaving the store, Mr. Bub
takes a fiery dart and bow from behind the counter. I'm thinking about
dressing up as a "slick" sidewalk salesman and pitching these
alternatives to members of the congregation early in the service
before the sermon.
Don't settle for cheap imitations.
Phil in Maryland
This passage has fueld the theory that a great cosmic battle of good
vs evil is underway. I personally find this to be an unhealthy view as
it supports many "us" against "them" scenarios (you are either with us
or you are against us) that promote fear and polarize us. I want to
focus on this text, because I want to grow through it. I know the
"armor" is metaphoric, and I agree with being clothed with truth,
etc., but not to withstand the attack or the battle. I just don't
think of things with such polarity. Help. AC in Iowa.
I preached today from Ephesians and I will use this scripture next
week. This week I discussed verse 16 "making the most of the time,
because the days are evil." People are always saying, and I have too,
"Boy, have I ever had a bad day!" I preached today that it is not the
day that is evil, or bad, it is the circumstances that are in the day.
God makes every day good! This week I am going to encourage to armor
themselves against the evil that we find in the day. I even have a
small replication of a midevil armor. I am going to emphasize that we
do not have to have such bulky, unweildy armor, all we need to do is
to armor ourselves with prayer. But, we must pray as carefully as we
would if we were a knight putting on our armor, our lives may depend
on it. Just some preliminary thoughts, I hope you all can put some
more meat in this for me. Toni
Hehe thanks I am going to take the 'saleslady' idea Girl Preacher
here! preachers have been compared to salesman, you know..LOL analogy
appropriate... I think I will talk with my Worship Chair this week ask
her to be the Costomer... I am going to play up the women and shopping
thing... 1/2 off : SALE: 50% off Armor for sale! We women love a sale,
right. Cheap store of designer Knock offs... I like the check made out
to BLZ BUB... I have preached on full armor several times in past...
First time in Bluefield,WV another time on my first appointment...
drew a roman soldier and a modern day worker and farmer... this is a
good passage, I think the drama will enhance and teach...
TO AC in IOWA... I am praying for you!!! Don't like the unhealthy view
of the passage!! LOL Well, the Bible PLAINLY STATES JESUS SAYS EITHER
YOU ARE FOR OR AGAINST HIM. THe Bible is the WORD, GOD INSPRIED! TRUE
IT you think for one minute that GOD DIDNT really mean what He said,
you are so off the mark.
Remember this, HE will separate the SHeep from the Goats... I
personally, want to be a sheep...they may be blind and dumb- but sheep
are FLAME RETARDANT!!! Goats AREN't!
I do not apoligize for my "INTOLERANT" VIEW as you when you read this
will say I have... Refer to other post and and sword of spirit-the tie
tack.
I do not apoligize for I am a truth teller for God, and be must beware
of the wolves in sheeps clothing...Shepherd are not supposed to be
wolves.. Clerically_Blonde and very conservative and evangelical in
West OHIO
AC in Iowa and Clerically_Blonde,
I believe you two have very different styles on how you "fight" in the
kingdom. AC, you don't see the polarity in the same way as CB, but I
do not believe that puts you against Christ. CB, you seem to have a
fire in you, but shouting often inspires more anger than change, and
people are as likely to discount your words as to take them to heart.
I also recall a point at which Jesus said, "Those who are not against
us are for us," when advising the disciples not to discourage others
who were working under Jesus' name elsewhere. Let us all keep
proclaiming in our different styles so that all people may hear the
good news of Jesus Christ.
Michelle
I think I'm going to focus on this pericope. This is a metaphor - to
remain shielded against the things that pull us from God.
What I have dificulty is the metaphor of the word of God as a weapon.
And I don't want to automatically re-cast it as if making it a
'cupid's arrow," something that's benevolent rather than intended to
do bodily harm.
A Monday morning confession.
Sally in GA
Oh - and thanks for the skit idea! I've copied it and I think I'll
adapt it for the sermon.
Sally
Perfect Sunday to deal with how we treat people coming home from the
war. For ideas on that topic, see the Red Cross pamphlet, "Welcome
Home."
No one knows how little protection worldly armor gives than a
returning service person. Paul B.
To those struggling with the "war" imagry in this text - in the AHA
material for August 24, 1997 the suggest; "War was omnipresent in the
1st century. . . .[but] we don't have to be bound by it [the war
imargry] in our time, though. fitness or health would work just as
well. so would education." We can suggest proficiency in spiritual
skills represented by the armor parts "so that we can confidently
counter untruths and misunderstandings. We shorthchange our
congregations when we imply that the only way to comat evil is by
going to war."
I like the idea of fitness training as a metphore here. If you use the
psalm for this week it talks about going from strength to strength
when we count on God.
When we use the war language it sounds like the battle is against
"others" when in fact the battle is a spiritual battle within our
selves. We do not like to acknowledge that we have evil within. When
ever I act with anything but love I am permiting evil not only in my
life but spilling it out into the world. Look to Corinthians to get
the quidlines for love!! [love is kind, love is not envious or
boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not inisist on its own way, it
is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but
rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes
all things, endures all things] We often apply this to married couples
at their weddings. Maybe it would be very helpful to apply it to
ourselves as pastors and as a congregation.
I think is will use love as my strength [armor] againist evil thoughts
and actions. Still need some work on this. jmj in mt
Thanks for the drama idea. This is going to be a fun sermon! Pastor
Rick in FL
As I have read the posts it seems a lot of us are hung up on war. Is
it because of the conflict in Iraq? I think I missed it originally (a
long time ago) as this is one of my favorite readings. in vers 12 it
begins "for ourstruggle is not against enemies of flesh and blood." it
is not herer the war rages on but far from us but yet inside and
around us. The battle is spiritual therefore we need spiritual armour.
I can't see in this a human conflict but the dire warning that it is
not a human conflict. WaynO in NE
jmj in mt - thank you! It put me in mind of a book I have in my
library by none other than Joyce Meyer. I'd read some of it several
years ago and put it down, because it's not all that -uh- meaty (that
sounds critical and I don't mean it to be), but I like her downp-to-earth
practical advice. The title of the book is "Battlefield of the Mind."
And it says stuff much like your post! I think I'll go home and
consult with this some; I think it'll inform this sermon quite well!
Hey, if I've used Dr. Phil, I guess I can use Joyce Meyer.
how's this working for you? hahahaha
Sally in GA
As I am putting together some thoughts I find myself commenting
against Christian radio for some strange reason. Christian radio (at
least in the South) is very evangelistic and wants to present a very
"cut and dry" answer for those who are searching (in life and on the
radio dial). Right and wrong has to be presented in just a few
seconds, along with a solution. Paul is telling us life is not like
that. It has many aspects and we need several layers of defenses
(pieces of armour) to dealing with life's problems. I know I am going
to end up asking for prayers, just like Paul but I haven't figured out
the rest. CRP
Right in the middle of this rich batch of metaphors, there seems to be
a weak link. The belt is Truth and the breastplate is Righteousness.
Faith is the sheild, Salvation the helmet and the sword is the Spirit.
But Paul seems th waffle at shoes. "As for shoes, put on..hmm,
uh...whatever!'
Or maybe Paul is saying Put on whatever it takes to go into the
terrain before you. You may be marching into a swamp or tip-toeing
through a briarpatch. You might need snowshoes where the surface is
fragile but the drifts are deep. Many folks, preachers included, only
have one approach to presenting the gospel of peace. Maybe we need a
closet full of shoes, some for clomping around, some for kicking, some
for climbing, some for side-stepping and some for standing firm. tom
in TN(USA)
I don't feel that this passage inherently fuels "us vs. them" thinking
because our battle isn't against flesh and blood, but against the
devil and his minions, spiritual enemies who try to prevent God's
power to renew and redeem from being experienced by us.
I was thinking on my way home last night that a lazer beam would be a
better metaphor than a sword for our day. Many people in our
congregations have gone into the hospital and a lazer beam has gone
through them healing them inside in many ways without blood, gore or
stitches and staples.
The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive part of the armor. The
helmet, belt, breastplate, shield and shoes are for our defense our
protection against attack. The sword is for reaching out offensively.
Not sure what this means or even if it means anything, just an
observation.
jmj in mt
Somehow, in reading all the previous posts, I get the impression that
many feel the issue here is one of warfare of the human type.
Certainly, there are many parallels, but the real issue is not human
warfare, but spiritual warfare. It is a war that Satan is waging
within us--trying to, in our sinful nature, entice us away from our
relationship with God.
That enticement, however, comes from more than just within us. It also
comes from without. As one of the dramas that Phil posted noted,
enticement to sin comes from television and movies. It also comes from
radio, friends, enemies, and just about everything with we come into
contact.
Thus, we need to "put on the whole armor of God," because we cannot
see, hear, taste, feel, or even imagine the forces aligned against
that relationship. And Satan is so powerful and fast that we cannot
even know when it is happening. We simply cannot stand by ourselves.
We don't have that power. Only with the full array of God's power can
we stand up against Satan.
I also see a lot of posts that try to individualize the various parts
of the "armor." I don't think that it is necessary to be that specific
in any sermon that we present. It is sufficient to recall the
temptation of Christ in the wilderness, and his sole response to each
of Satan's temptations--"It is written . . .." In Scripture, we find
the "belt of truth," the "breastplate of righteousness," etc.
[Clerically_blonde; please remember that, on the Internet, all caps
means you are shouting. There is no need (and I, for one, consider it
rude) to shout in this forum.]
Dan
Phil In Maryland, Wow! What a great story! However I am having
difficulty finding that book from here. Any chance you could give me
some more info on that story, How exactly does it end? -Bill in Iowa
E-mail me please, porter3man@msn.com
At this point, I'm combining the text from Ephesians and that of John
6:58-68. There we have Jesus saying, "The Spirit gives live; the flesh
counts for nothing." Some of his disciples lamenting, "This is a hard
teching. Who can accept it?" Lumicon.org has a segment on the John 6
passage called "Tough Talk," which I'm thinking of using as a
springboard for this Sunday's message. My plan is to use a clip from
either "Hoosiers" or "Remember The Titans" where the coach is giving
some tough talk to players. In both films we have players either
leaving or threatening to leave. I'm trying to borrow some football
equipment from a local college and at the beginning of the sermon take
them off of the alter. "What does he mean, 'helmet' of salvation. Oh,
this must be it!" and put it on. "Hmmm .. (picking up the shoulder
pads), could this be the 'breastplate or righteousness'?" and on and
on ...
By now, I should look pretty goofy ... particularly for someone who
has no affinity for sports whatsoever.
Jesus was never known for soft words, nor did he encourage soft
discipleship. There is, indeed, a spiritual war going on. Satan has
lost, and he is in his death throes. Our battle is not against flesh
and blood, so the earthly helmets and gear we put on will have no
effect whatsoever on the enemy ... or, dare I say, "them." Our
opponents only fall to the sword of the spirit; our defense, the
breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of
salvation. We head into the battle with the belt of truth and our feet
fitted with the readiness of the Gospel of Peace ... always prepared
to give an account for what we believe.
Oh, by the way: My Congregational Centering might be a rewrite of Andy
Griffith's "What It Was Was Football" into "What It Was Was Church."
Pastor Buzz in TN
Sorry for the typos. I didn't read it through before posting. Buzz
It has occurred to me that the solution to the armor is found by using
the Ephesians passage and putting on the armor and then moving to the
John passage and using it to discover that the armor you need is found
within. From have the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart. Nancy-Wi
I may end with an impromptoo (sorry I just can't spell it) communion
where I break two loaves of bread and bless two cups. And pass them
through the pews by intiction. Going home to sleep on it! Nancy-Wi
I think of the armor as being covered With the Spirit of God as we go
out into the world to minister. That our hearts are focused on loving
as Jesus loved, that our words are ones that encourage and speak the
truth, that when life threatens, we are aware of our salvation coming
from Christ, and not by what standards the world might give us, that
are feet are prepared to walk, run, dance or whatever ( I like the
different kinds of shoes, not just sandals)we need to do to minister,
and shield of faith to block out the attacks from within or outside of
ourselves.
I don't get hung up on the armor and war images, even though I am
admittedly a pacifist, but just realize that in Paul's world, in
prison, that he saw a guard in full armor probably outside his cell.
It was probably a stream of consciousness for him of how God protects
him in the battles he was fighting, for his very life.
Susan in Wa.
I was involved in a prison ministry once and one of the prisoners came
to our session with a New Testament in his shirt pocket. One of the
other leaders accused the prisoner of having a knife. The prisoner got
upset at being accused and then the leader pointed at the testament
and said if the word of God is a sword, then that little testament
must be a knife. They had a big laugh, but I thought it was a pretty
silly joke. (I didn't have a high opinion of that other leader
anyway.) Ever since that time, I have had a bad taste in my mouth in
relation to this pericope and I haven't liked Paul's analogies.
Regardless of how we feel about Paul's images in this text, it does
not change the reality of a cosmic war between good and evil that
rages all around us. When I consider that reality, I am grateful for
some equipment that will benefit me (and all believers) when I venture
beyond the safety of the sanctuary. I want to grow, too. The only way
to grow with the text is to deal with the text. I'll have to get down
and wrestle with it, but I remember that Jacob received a blessing
when he wrestled with the angel all night. Creature Wayne
Is this not saying that regardless of how we look at it Creation is
fallen and because Creation is fallen it struggles. That life is life
and because of the fallen state of creation we as Christians must have
some way to deal with the issues we face and Paul is using these
analogies to give the Christians in the early church a way to deal
with the issues of life and, therefore, some insight as to how we can
deal with the issue of life as these battles of evil occur? Kathy in
NC
Nancy in WI,
"impromptu" :-)
I am wondering why two loaves? Is your congregation too large to use
one loaf that is broken into two halves? I can understand why two cups
would be used, one on either side of the congregation, but symbolism
speaks, and if we confess "one Lord, Jesus Christ," it would be good
to use one loaf of bread (if possible).
(If you do break a loaf in half, it is much easier if you use a knife
ahead of time to lightly score the crust down the middle.)
Michelle
DPS folks,
Too many of you to thank for your inspiration and dialogue this
weekend.
I didn't want to talk about bread AGAIN! ;?)
A colleague, you know who you are Brian, reads often but I don't think
posts, like ever... still, he had some wisdom, I told him I was going
to use this weekend on this passage. After pulling out a "teady bear"
I received from a friend... using the "Knight" theme as I'm a "Night
Owl"... the teady bear had been "doctored" up with the "belt is Truth
and the breastplate is Righteousness. Faith is the sheild, Salvation
the helmet and the sword is the Spirit."
Now, there has to be some literary word for taking a text and twisting
it to be exactly what Paul warned against... v 12a says "For our
struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the
rulers, against the authorities..."
"As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to
proclaim the gospel of peace..." part of our problem, according to my
friend is that we talk about "Peace Keepers" in Iraq, etc. when what
we should "be about" is PEACE MAKERS.
Lots of good insights... thanks for the "different shoes image" Tom...
THAT will preach too... ;?) It's all about "where we walk... and
walking in someone else's shoes..."
pulpitt in ND
Hey ya'll(I'm in the south,can you tell?) Wonderful discussion and
interesting inspirations. Thank you. For the one who spoke about
Christian radio in the south that fact seems to be true. Another
interesting observation I have made in light of this passage is that
Christians tend to slay/judge other Christians with the Word. I am
constantly reminding my flock that we are to offer the grace of Jesus
Christ. No wonder people turn away from church, they come in
downtrodden and beaten by the world. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you all. Thanks again for the wonderful discussion.
Airchp54
As I read this pericope it occured to me that the image of putting on
armor doesn't compute too well in today's world. Since knights wearing
the kind of full armor described here are only "faiy-tale" images I
suspect that the average person isn't aware of how uncomfortable the
armor of Roman soldiers (and that of successive generations wearing
iron/steel/chain mail) would have been. My title this week is "Rattle,
Clank, Squeal" -- remembering how uncomfortable such armor was to wear
and to keep in good working order AND how uncomfortable the armor of
Christ can be to wear and tend in a world that scorns such conceepts
as righteousness, peace, and salvation.
Blessings to all as we work with this text.
Robbie in Central KS
Michelle- yes, it took me a while but I did realize that I can break
one loaf, into more than two pieces (LOL) Thanks for prod!
Armor is a term the early Christian would be very familiar. I would
guess that most of them did not have any "armor" but were usually on
the recieving end of armor use, today we (USA Europe) have the armor,
perhaps if we were the ones always being attacked the image of armor
would be more defense than offense. I see this text in that context.
Today we are under siege by the cultural world. Nancy-Wi
Nancy said, "I may end with an impromptoo (sorry I just can't spell
it) communion where I break two loaves of bread and bless two cups."
And Michelle asked, "Why two?"
And I'm wondering why the church, in its various denominational and
congregational guises, is always re-inventing the Eucharist? For
centuries, the church universal has been celebrating the Holy
Mysteries -- one cup blessed and shared, one loaf blessed, broken, and
distributed -- following the institution of our Lord at that last
supper in the upper room. Why do we continually tinker with it?
Blessings, Eric in OH
Eric- I will bless one of each and then divide the cup in two one for
each side of the church which is no different than make 100 small
cups! Sorry I didn't read that post more carefully! Blessing Nancy-Wi
For those working with the "shoes" theme - my first thought when I
read through the pericope was "How beautiful are the feet of those who
preach the gospel of peace." Not where I'm going, though.
I'm thinking of the phrase "the truth hurts."
there is a very real truth hurting our congregation. And that is that
we cannot seem to overcome the racial barrier, primarily because there
are some who flat-out will not accept persons other than those who are
just like they are. If I came straight out and said, "this church will
continue to decline until the members' attitude changes," it would
really hurt their feelings. God will not bless a church that insists
on attitudes that are counter to his teaching.
And, speaking of radio preaching, I heard a radio preacher once say
that the devil likes nothing better than to divide the body of Christ.
So true! It's divide and conquer. If we're all bickering, it leaves us
with a huge blind spot that will allow evil and sin to seep into us
and eventually take over. So, rather than let that happen, put on the
Gospel armor.
And, as someone noted, the armor will probably be uncomfortable. The
truth hurts.
Sally in GA
I just thought of a title: how does this sound?
"Who Does the Truth Hurt?"
We'd like for that sword of the Spirit that is the Gospel to be our
own interpretation of the Gospel and for it to pierce others'
defenses, but sometimes we've got to let the truth hurt us, too, in
order to conform to Christ.
Sally in GA
Here's something from Heidi Hustead in "The Christian Century" from
2000
"If anything can help us decide to live in obedience to God’s word it
is knowing God’s heart. Our disobedience and our abstinence break
God’s heart. Perhaps knowing that might help us make better choices
today and tomorrow."
Abstinence is not always a good thing. We keep trying to starve
ourselves spiritually.
Sally in GA
Great discussion. I will use the idea that "They" (spouse, child,
boss, peacher, Iraqis, Muslems, Demos, Republicans, ACLU, etc) are NOT
the enemy. The enemy is Satan and his demons, pure and simple. I use
this in couples counseling with good effect.
Shine in Texas
I find verses 18-20 to be an interesting final thought for this set of
instructions. After the instructions to put on the "whole armor of
God", the writer further instructs that they should "pray in the
Spirit at all times." Often we come under spiritual attack when we are
so filled with the Spirit. Therefore, being armed before we pray would
be good words of advice. Vs. 19 could be an entire sermon for
preachers everywhere. We have a serious task before us any time that
we step into a pulpit to proclaim the Gospel. Do we always take it so
seriously, and are our messages a word from the Lord, or are they
often devised out of our own heads in an effort the fill the expected
allotment of time, or an effort to entertain? We sincerely need to
invite our congregations to put on the armor and pray with all
sincerity, that the words that come from our mouths will be words of
truth that will "make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
Peace to you, Donna in Alabama
not really meaning to be mischievous, but...
why reinvent the wheel?
if we hadn't, we never would have come up with the rubber tyre.
same concept, different context.
reinvention is not the enemy.
:-)
kc in sydney
again referring to the reinvention fo the eucharist query:
Eric in OH, do you do the eucharist in koine greek? aramaic? latin?
reinvention is about trying to communicate faithfully an old
idea/truth/cocept in a new context - language and form are not that
easily separable.
change for change sake might be destructive, but trying to speak in
languages and forms that people understand is our inheritance since
pentecost.
for me, reinvention is linked to the point of pentecost. the point was
not that people could speak in different languages, it was that by the
power of the Spirit people could hear in their own language. the birth
of the church and the mandate given to us was to speak in ways people
understand so that they might experience the Gospel.
not trying to bash you over the head Eric in OH, just throwing some
alternatives your way.
:-)
kc in sydney
not really meaning to be mischievous, but...
why reinvent the wheel?
if we hadn't, we never would have come up with the rubber tyre.
same concept, different context.
reinvention is not the enemy.
:-)
kc in sydney
"not trying to bash you over the head Eric in OH, just throwing some
alternatives your way."
Not a problem, kc ... but what I understand you to be describing is
inculturation, not reinvention.
We may change the language of our celebrations, we may use a wooden
bowl instead of a silver chalice, we may use the local flatbread
(whatever it may be), etc.
But the basics of the Eucharist remain as given by Jesus -- one loaf,
one cup -- and the four-part action of taking, blessing, breaking, and
sharing.
Blessings, Eric in OH
I have no doubt that most of you have already finished for the week
(LOL) But as I was sitting down to the computer, looking at the blank
screen that had only the title of the sermon on it, the image that
popped into my mind was Clark Kent ducking into the phone booth to
change into Superman. Is that a modern metaphor for the armor? I also
remember the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie, when Clark Kent
tries to find an old-fashioned phone booth and the only thing
available are these plastic half-things like you find in airports. No
place to go inside to change into the armor. Is that where we are
today? Just musing. JFJ in Baltimore
Superman might work, where the heck did he change? I didn't see the
movie.
We often think that armor is designed to protect the body, but here as
I read it is really designed to protect our faith. I think of
Bonehoeffer, the Nazi's had his body but not his soul, the heart of
his faith. Nancy-Wi
OK, I'm still stuck. I'm an ambassador in chains (hehehe). I don't
like any of my ideas.
I have, however, decided to combine this with the OT and Gospel
readings ... decide who you're going to serve. We can't continue to
give credence to idols, dabbling in idolotry (Heidi Hustead) while
donning the Christian armor (God's uniform, from a sermon on the
members' page).
The thing is, we "dabble in idolotry" all the time. I'm not just
talking about reading our horoscopes for so-called fun, but the more
toxic form of idolotry - recasting the Gospel message to conform to
our own prejudices, desires, and hardheartedness. We melt down and
re-cast that iron to conform to ourselves so it's more confortable.
Spiritually speaking, we have fallen into the idolotry of placing our
comfort above God.
So, there's the sin. The reconciliation comes from the Gospel - the
Gospel armor - that will be more comfortable and lighter as we
condition ourselves to wear it.
Someone had a great quote from Calvin about the breastplate of
righteousness, vs. the belt of righteousness (or something like that).
Actually, a breastplate of righteousness sounds a propos ...
especially when compared the the puffed-out breast of
self-righteousness. (tongue in cheek)
I still don't have a title!!!
Sally
Dear Clerically-Blonde: Again I am saddened by the yelling and
intolerance we Christians seem to have for one another... how can we
ever be bearers of Christ's light in the world when we can't even be
civil to one another. The Spirit calls each of us to serve Christ in
the world, why do we divide ourselves off from one another? Is that
what the armor of God passage is saying here? No, it is not. We need
to fight the evil that exists in the world, yes. But we also need to
remember that name calling and screaming at others is not a way to
break barriers down so that Christ's love can enter in. It simply
ensures that the folks we are screaming at will build stronger walls.
May God help us all to act in loving and just ways. May we truly wear
the full armor of God.
