EPHESIANS: Stand

EPHESIANS Number 68

At the beginning of Ephesians, we were told of the wonderful state of being in which we find ourselves in Christ. We were told that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. We learned that we have become God’s children and that He made us holy and blameless. He sealed us in Christ with His Holy Spirit, thus guaranteeing our inheritance. He raised us up and seated us with Christ in the heavenly realm.

As we continued our journey through this wonderful letter, we learned what being seated in this restful position looks like when it is walked out in our everyday lives. We studied how He gave us the gift of uniquely expressing Him to others. We saw that His Spirit energizes us to live godly lives, doing godly things and serving others. We found that there is incredible blessing for everyone involved when each of us unselfishly Loves and submits to others for their good.

Now we come to the last segment of the letter. Here we are told how to stand in all this truth. How to hold this godly existence and conduct in a world that opposes all that is good and righteous.

Sit, Walk, Stand.
Let’s learn what it is to stand.

Ephesians 6:10–18 (KJV 1900)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
To begin, I want us to notice that the instructions are as follows:

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (verse 10)
Put on the armor of God (verse 11)
Stand (verses 11, 13, and 14)
Shield yourself (verse 16)
Protect your mind (verse 17)
Pray (verse 18)
Be alert (verse 18)

There is no aggressive fighting in view here. No attacking. Instead, we are told to resist and to stand. We are told that God’s armor is provided so that we can resist and stand firm against the devil’s schemes. The enemy is the one shooting flaming arrows. Our only role is to stand.

The strength to stand does not come from us. We are not told that we must be strong in human terms or even to work to become stronger. Instead, we are charged to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

Jesus is our source, as He points out in John 15:5 (KJV 1900) “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

We know that the Lord has plenty of power to deal with anything the enemy (or simply life in this fallen world) can throw at us. In Revelation 1:8 (KJV 1900) we read, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” In Matthew 3:9 we find this amazing statement, “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”

This is the strength that is brought to bear when we depend upon God and the power of His might.