the Unexpressed Advantage

At Bible study tonight we contemplated the intricacies of the “Armor of God” passage in Ephesians 6:10-18.

First major discussion point over how we “put on the armor of God.” What exactly does that mean? Some discussed a metaphoric response to the metaphor. Do it. Literally, just pretend (to put on armor) and trust that God will honor it. Others responded cognitively. Understand that there is power in God’s word as a centering matrix in your life when the “enemy’s schemes” are at hand. It was pointed out that we must remember that the metaphor should not be interpreted alone, but rather for what it is, the capstone of Paul’s whole argument in Ephesians. In this sense to put the armor on is Paul’s way of reminding us simply who we are in the Christian life. Therefore living the Christian life is wearing the armor, we don’t need to read into it further.

Second discussion revolved around the issue of Paul’s exhortation to pray in verse 18. Why do we pray? What does that do exactly? We came to an agreement (I think) that when we pray we are not trying to manipulate God but simply like little children we are coming to him; something that we should naturally do if we are in relationship with him. Prayer brings us before the throne. But perhaps there is something more. Prayer does do something – God, because of his love for us, wants to involve us in his very workings in the universe. Mostly prayer is the witness to God himself. We don’t pray to an end (or for an answer or a result), rather prayer is the end. It signifies our trust and submission to, as well as our relationship with, the Father.

The real meat for me came on the drive home. As I talked with a friend about the issue of the complexity of the Christian life and the reality of ever growing doubt and even apathy (this is especially true of seminary students at Regent), we wondered how we are to deal with all the confusion and complexity of life. How do we deal with the reality that nothing seems to work the way it ought to work. Especially realizing the fact that we have a hard time doing the things we ought to do.

Then it hit us that the significance of God’s armor and the call to pray completely hinges on whether God is real. Everything is caught up in the reality of God – whether God really is who He says he is. If God is not really who He says he is, then we as Christians are in a big heap of trouble. You’ll notice that every aspect of God’s armor is an example of the way that we are in relationship with God. God’s armor is effective against spiritual forces only if the God who gives it to us really exists and is capable of defending us. Prayer only matters if we are truly coming into the presence of a God who hears us and responds with His voice of assurance.

Then we must turn to the witness of history, I think. Time and time again we look to the past and see evidence of God’s reality. If the people who trusted in God should have fallen apart and disaster should have prevailed, it surely never did. History is full of witness of people praying vigorously, and God responding by making the world a better place. Indeed, some argue that the presence of faithful Christians has created more good in the world than any other phenomenon in history, and I agree (this is the topic of another discussion, but I’m happy to debate anyone who finds that statement unsettling). More often than not, despite the perplexing world around them, God’s people do not fall away. Despite their doubts they press on and remain faithful to his kingdom on earth. God must be real.

In light of this the text is truly opened to me tonight. No matter my own failings; no matter the failings of the world around me. The God who can save the world remains faithful, and it follows that his armor is sufficient for protection, and to engage him in prayer is significant to impact the universe (and draw me in closer to him). Because of His reality, those who are His simply cannot fail. They cannot turn away. At the most, in disobedience they can be as prodigal children squandering his blessing on “wild living.” But they must return because the God of love simply will not let them go. He is real, and his grip is simply too tight.

You may not be able to keep yourself, but He will never fail to keep you.

Blessings and Peace, – Dan