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Article 3 ~ December 2004

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand; against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:10,11 and following.

Paul penned this letter from prison in Rome. The "prison epistles" are Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon. He had been preaching the gospel for 15 years with the result that there were many converts to faith in Christ. Their little churches were his constant care and concern. Immobilised in jail he corresponded with them, giving them advice and encouragement, and reflecting on the great truths he and they shared, believed and taught to others. He wrote, too, of his experiences since the day Jesus had confronted him on the Damascus Road.

Ruminating on the past Paul's thoughts were not unhappy as he described the many fearful things that had happened to him. There were many verbal and physical attacks - beaten up several times, facing death time and again, whipped the regulation 139 stripes five times, beaten with rods, three times, stoned, shipwrecked three times. He had even had to spend 24 hours once in the open sea. He was constantly in danger and never in the best of health. There has been speculation on the illness from which Paul suffered with the suggestion of eye trouble, for he spoke of the large letters in his correspondence. He was short in stature. The name he was given, Paul, in Latin means little.

He was thankful in spite of everything, that he had not been prevented whatever happened to him, from carrying on his mission. He was always conscious of his place in the plan of God for the people of God, the salvation of souls. To him the church was rooted in Christ spreading out like the vine and its branches to bring other people to faith in God through the person and work of Jesus Christ, Paul warned Christians that they, too, could be faced with opposition and persecution. He used the illustration of a soldier and his equipment to describe what they needed to serve Christ in an alien world. His constant theme was victory for Christ and Christianity is dependent on the sincerity, loyalty, honesty, obedience and industry of His soldiers, His plea to believers was,

"Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might."

There must be utter dependence on Christ. Speaking for himself he said, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."

He pictures this strength as an armour worn by the Christian to keep him safe. He uses the soldier's gear when he speaks of "loins girt about with truth." He had in mind the belt or girdle necessary to prevent it interfering with his movements. And he compares truth to a girdle which holds together all other qualities in a person to make him useable and effective. Truth is spoken and shared in sincerity.

Charles Dickens said. "The longer I live the more I find that without sincerity a man can do nothing."

Paul was constantly concerned about Christians who had the truth of the gospel but who lacked sincerity in telling it to others. He spoke of "the breastplate of righteousness." A breastplate was to protect vital parts of the soldier's body. The Christian is protected against the onslaughts of his enemies by his faith, integrity, uprightness of character which shows in determination, courage, patience and fortitude.

Peter Pienaar in John Buchan's "Mr Standfast" said:

"Fortitude is the biggest thing a man can have....... Billy had it when he trekked solitary from Garungoze to the Limpopo with fever and a broken arm just to show the Portagooses he wouldn't be downed by them. But the headman at the job was the Apostle Paul."

When Paul pleaded with Christians to be true to Christ whatever the cost he showed them the way to do it. There was no better illustration of what that could mean when he gave an account of his work and witness for his Lord and Saviour.

He spoke of boots "having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." The Romans were foot conscious. They ensured that their soldiers were well shod for whatever terrain they had to traverse.

Paul reminded his readers that they were made strong and sure-footed by their commitment to Christ their readiness for any emergency.

Canon Dr SE Long

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