(Ephesians 6:10-18), “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” vs.11 “Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” vs.12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” vs.13 “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.” vs.14 “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” vs.15 “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” vs.16 “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” vs.17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” vs.18 “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”
The armor of God never fails, because God is invincible and unshakeable. His Word is forever true. God’s protection and strength is conditional and dependent upon obedience. God, however, deals with every person differently. He expresses compassion, long suffering, and love in greater measures than we are even capable of doing.
The Bible points out that when a person endeavors to live according to God’s rules and regulations, thus, obeying His commandments, God reciprocates by pouring many blessings into that person’s life in overwhelming proportions. These blessings are like a flood of living water flowing from the very presence of God himself.
(1 John 2:3-6), “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” vs.4 “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” vs.5 “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” vs.6 “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”
Even though God’s protection and strength is dependent upon obedience, His infinite mercy is extended to all people, in ways far beyond their understanding. He rewards those that diligently seek Him.
The adversary of our soul desires to destroy all that is good, and to devour God’s children, were it possible. God stays the hand of the devil and pronounces mercy where justice is due, because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross of Calvary . He gave His life that we might have life.
God gave His son to die, because of His great love for humanity. It is nothing that we have done or ever will do to merit God’s forgiveness. Salvation is His gift to us through Jesus. Every forgiven saint of God can rejoice and be glad in the knowledge that they have found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
(John 3:16) “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
God’s grace is available to all that believe on the name of Jesus and come to Him, but the majority of the non-believing populace stands back; pointing their bony finger in the face of God, saying, “I’ll do as I please!” It’s truly heartbreaking, because God would that all mankind be saved and inherit eternal life. But it is their choice to make.
A friend once told me, “A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.” This is certainly applicable when serving God. Though a Christian may stumble and fall; failing God miserably; God is there to pick them up, to forgive, and help them continue their journey with the Lord at their side. They need never give up their right of passage that God gave them through Jesus. God forgives and His mercy endures forever. A Christian will never suffer defeat as long as they keep trying.
God is in the process of perfecting every Believer to the image of Christ. His corrections may seem painful and uncomfortable at times when received, but the discomfort produces worthwhile changes. The dividends are eternal. God is smoothing away the rough edges in our life to shape us into a perfect vessel that is pleasing in His sight.
God uses the tests and trials of life to bring forth vessels worthy to be called children of God. Each time that God succeeds in touching areas of our life that need refining, another rough spot presents itself. God continues His work with love and long-suffering—He is very patient. We are the clay in the Master Potter’s hands. God is perfecting His plan for our life to bring forth an acceptable masterpiece.
Yes, we are learning obedience, but when someone strays from the teachings they know to be truth, God is displeased. When a person is drawn away by their own willful disobedience, and partakes of the “Do Not” that God warns against, He has ways of dealing with that wayward child. God chastens those He loves. Without this chastisement, the Bible says that we are a child without a father.
God wants to be our Heavenly Father. He is able to keep our soul that we committed to Him when we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into our heart as our personal Savior. We gave Him ourselves, but God gave much more. He gave His son to die on a cross for you and me for the remission of sin.
I’m glad for the loving correction that God performs in my life. Without it, I could never make heaven my home, because my righteousness is as filthy rags in His sight.
I need His hand of correction to warm my behind and keep me on the straight and narrow path to heaven. I am grateful for God’s loving hand of mercy. Through the righteous of Jesus, I am made whole.
Each of my three children has distinctive personalities, which differ from one another—none are alike. Correction was administered in different ways respective of each personality.
One child learned through verbal reprimands, while another learned through restrictions. The more rebellious child required more than verbal discipline and taking away privileges. He learned by feeling the flat side of my hand on his buttocks; given in love and not anger. I knew each of my children’s personality and nature, and dealt with each one accordingly.
God disciplines in like manner. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He instilled in each of us our individual nature and personality. He is the master designer that created all living things. If anyone knows how to apply correction, and understands how to take care of His children, God does.
It is not only hurtful to those sinning, but to God, when His children yield to emotions and temptations of the flesh, while giving ground to undisciplined behavior. I thank Him for His tender mercy, tolerance, and understanding. God desires that everyone succeed. Living a self-disciplined, Christian life draws us close to Him. Dedication to God is truly worth standing one’s ground—in many ways.
(Romans 5:20-21) “…But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,” vs.21 “so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(Psalm 84:11) “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
We can trust the Bible. As we come to God in simple faith, He rewards us openly, forgives our sins, and makes us perfect. Everything is contingent upon the validity of God’s Word. Remember, God does not lie; His Word is truth.
God views the Christian as perfect, because He sees each one through the blood of His dear son. When Jesus shed His precious blood and died on the cross of Calvary , this act of love bought a miraculous cleansing for whoever asks God to forgive them of their sins. Jesus paid the price for sin. The blood of Jesus is the only agent that sets a person free from bondage and degradation, thus, making them a child of God—forgiven.
We can come to God as we are with all of our habits, questions, hang-ups, and differences of personalities through Jesus Christ our mediator. He gives rest from wondering and a wayward lifestyle; and new meaning, new direction, and new life to the soul that is living an empty, purposeless existence.
Just as I taught my children right from wrong, God teaches every Believer how to stand their ground in the face of demonic attacks, oppression, and individual temptations. Believers that stand committed to God always declare victory, because they are standing shoulder to shoulder with Jesus Christ the Righteous.
As we yield ourselves to God’s correction, the Bible takes on new meaning as we recognize that His Word lives; not like other books on the market that are dead inside the covers. The Bible teaches that perfection comes through overcoming the trials we face in life. As a person rejects sin and stands their ground in the power of God’s strength, obedience is learned. At the same time, victory triumphs over pride, immoral behavior, and the like.
Satisfaction comes when a person refuses to indulge in sin, while standing against the opposition of Satan. Staying true to God reaffirms the covenant that He made with us through Jesus—He will never leave nor forsake His children.
Standing one’s ground or indulging in sin is a choice. Every Christian makes the choice. Standing steadfast promotes peaceful living and right standing with God. Undisciplined behavior invokes chastisement from our Heavenly Father. Standing one’s ground brings life. The indulgence of sin brings death. “Give me life!”
(Hebrews 12:6) “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” vs.7 “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” vs.8 “But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.” vs.9 “Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”
My prayer is this, and I hope yours: “Continue to teach me, oh God, how to stand my ground with honor, integrity, and with my head held high. Help me to not fall in defeat through sinful indulgence, but allow me the privilege of learning at your feet as I humbly kneel before you. Give me liberty.”
(2 Corinthians ), “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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