His Word Today

“… ¹⁹and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:19-20)

The Apostle Paul reminds his readers, not only the Ephesians believers in the immediate context but also believers today, that he was a prisoner for the gospel when he wrote the Epistle to the Ephesians. This is why this letter, along with Philippians, Colossians and Philemon are identified as Paul’s Prison Epistles. They were all written during the apostle’s first Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:11-31).

It is common for believers in the church to hold an elevated view of biblical characters. In spite of clear evidence to the contrary, some hold the perspective that believers in the Bible were never weak, afraid, anxious, or given over to sin. Or in the case of today’s text, that they battled timidity in sharing the gospel.

Paul was under house arrest while in Rome (Acts 28:23-31). He was able to receive visitors while he awaited his trial before Caesar. Acts 28:30-31 says, “³⁰ He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, ³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

However, even Paul was concerned that he speak and serve the Lord Jesus Christ as he should. He did not want to cower from boldly preaching the gospel in the face of opposition. Therefore, as he encouraged the Ephesian believers to pray for one another, he also implored them to pray for him.

He requested that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, He did not want to waste any opportunity to share the truth of God’s existence, sin’s existence, salvation’s existence and the existence of One Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The irony of Paul’s next statement should not be lost upon us today. Regarding the gospel Paul wrote, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. The apostle was a prisoner of Rome, but he did not see the gospel in chains. Regardless of where he was, or with whom, he desired to share the truth of the gospel. Nothing would hinder him in sharing the biblical truth of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

Dr. R .C. Sproul writes, “As an apostle, Paul may have been tempted more than other Christians to believe he could go it alone, that just he and Jesus together were enough to get the job done. In one sense, this would have been true. Jesus is the friend “who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24). Even if all others desert us, Christ never leaves us or forsakes us, sustaining us by His Spirit in the most difficult circumstances (Heb. 13:5–6). Yet in another sense, we do not face the world with only Jesus beside us. The circumstances in which absolutely everyone might abandon us are few and far between, and God has redeemed us in union with other believers (Eph. 2:11–22). For all the church’s faults, we often do a good job of sticking together, supporting one another as we walk under the shadow of death in service to our King. Having just finished an epistle on the nature of the church, Paul was well aware of this fact and humble enough to request prayer for himself while he was in prison.”

 May each of us today pray for the boldness to share the gospel, regardless of the circumstances of life. May we also pray for one another to have the same boldness. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” (Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)

I’ve entitled today’s blog Militant Prayer. The word prayer should not be unfamiliar. It is the biblical discipline, and privilege, of speaking to God. The believer in Christ is to pray not only for the purpose of adoring God, but also of confessing one’s sins, giving thanks and bringing requests to the Lord (Matthew 6:5-15).

However, the word militant may not be as familiar. The English word militant is both an adjective and a noun, and is generally used to mean vigorously active, combative and/or aggressive, especially in support of a cause, as in “militant reformers”. It comes from the 15th century Latin “worrior” meaning “to serve as a soldier”. The related modern concept of the militia as a defensive organization against invaders grew out of the Anglo-Saxon word. In times of crisis, the militiaman left his civilian duties and became a soldier until the emergency was over, when he returned to his civilian occupation.

The current meaning of militant does not usually refer to a registered soldier. Rather, it can be anyone who subscribes to the idea of using vigorous, sometimes extreme, activity to achieve an objective, usually political.

However, the word militant can and may be applied to vigorously active and aggressive prayer. In today’s text, the phrase keep alert (ἀγρυπνέω; agrypneo) is the present active discipline of vigilant, watchful, attentive and cautious prayer. Along with the words praying, prayer, and supplication, it is one of four words the Apostle Paul uses in today’s text to stress the importance of the believer’s prayer life while in the midst of spiritual conflict.

The Lord calls upon all believers in Christ to not only pray for themselves, but also to pray for all the saints. Prayer is one more offensive weapon in the believer’s arsenal of weapons against sin and Satan.

Dr. R .C. Sproul writes, “Our ultimate reliance on Christ for success in spiritual warfare is underscored in today’s passage. The participial phrase used in Ephesians 6:18 (“praying at all times in the Spirit”) covers everything that comes before it. In so doing, it indicates that we don the armor of God — we clothe ourselves in Christ Himself — by consistent, persistent prayer. Praying at all times is nothing less than taking every opportunity to acknowledge our weakness and our need for the Lord’s mighty help against Satan. Prayerful dependence must be the consistent attitude of our hearts, both in difficult times that make us quick to run to God and when prosperous seasons tempt us to forget our need for Him. John Calvin writes, “Paul therefore desires us to allow no opportunity to pass — on no occasion to neglect prayer; so that praying always is the same thing as praying both in prosperity and in adversity.”

Let each of us resolve today to be militant in our prayer lives. Never give up being a militant prayer warrior. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!   

“…and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)

It should be noted that of all the previously mentioned armaments the Christian has at their disposal, they are all defensive weapons by design. The only offensive weapon the believer in Christ possesses is the Word of God. What the Apostle Paul probably had in mind was the Roman sword. It was short and designed for hand to hand combat.

When the devil tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13), the Lord repeatedly used the Word of God in His battle. Several prophecies teach that the words of the Messiah will be like a sharp sword (Isaiah 49:1-2; Revelation 1:16; 2:12-16; 19:15). All followers of Christ have this weapon at their disposal.

Dr. R. C. Sproul comments, “Ancient Roman soldiers carried different weapons, and the sword Paul likely has in view is the short-handled sword used in offensive combat against the enemies of the Caesar’s legions. In the Christian life, this sword is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). Commentators believe Isaiah 11:4 is an important background text here. The Messiah strikes “the earth with the rod of his mouth” in that prophecy, so Paul may be emphasizing the preached Word of God as our offensive weapon against Satan. This makes good sense, for as the Word is preached, sinners are rescued from the Devil’s grip and believers see the sins for which they need to repent.”

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says, “³ For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “As the sword was the soldier’s only weapon, so God’s word is the only needed weapon, infinitely more powerful than any of Satan’s. The Greek term refers to a small weapon (6–18 inches long). It was used both defensively to fend off Satan’s attacks, and offensively to help destroy the enemy’s strategies. It is the truth of Scripture.”

Soli deo Gloria!  

“…and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)

The helmet (περικεφαλαία; perikephalaia) was a protective cap. Like today, a soldier’s helmet protects the head when fighting in battle.

A galea was a Roman soldier’s helmet. Some gladiators wore bronze galeae with face masks and decorations. The exact form or design of the helmet varied significantly over time, between differing unit types, and also between individual examples. Therefore, it is not certain to what degree there was any standardization of helmet design even under the Roman Empire.

As one commentator explains, “As the piece that protects the soldier’s head, the helmet is essential to keeping a soldier alive and conscious, thereby enabling him to continue in his mission.”

In today’s text, the Apostle Paul refers to the helmet of salvation. The believer in Christ must take to themselves this helmet. God commands us to do so.

Dr. R C. Sproul comments, “Again the Lord’s armor in Isaiah 59:17–19 lies in the background of this passage, for God Himself dons a helmet of salvation in that passage to fight against His enemies. This is an interesting image because the Lord certainly does not need to be saved from sin and death as we do. God’s donning of various armor pieces indicates who He is and what He intends to do.”

“The Lord put on His helmet of salvation in Isaiah’s day to show both the nation of Israel and the entire world that He is salvation itself and that redemption would be accomplished in line with His purposes. For us to put on the helmet of salvation, then, indicates more than our rescue from sin and death.”

It also means that we arm ourselves with the ability and desire to proclaim to the ends of the earth that salvation is from the Lord. Furthermore, it demonstrates that we will work to accomplish His purposes for the church, the first fruits of God’s redemption, in line with the instructions of the Lord. All of these points, of course, are outlined in Ephesians (Eph. 2; 4:17–32; 5:1–6:9).”

A nation’s soldier dons their helmet in order to protect themselves in battle. Believers in Christ must don their helmet of salvation in order to protect themselves while in the midst of the spiritual warfare they encounter. Make sure you have your helmet on today.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;” (Ephesians 6:16 (ESV)

The shield of the Romans soldier was large enough to cover his entire body. It was made of wood, covered with animal hide, and then bound with iron at the top and bottom.

Prior to entering battle, the soldier’s shield was dipped in water. The purpose of doing so was to soak the animal skin covering the shield. Typically, an enemies’ arrows were dipped in pitch, or tar, and then set on fire. A water soaked shield could effectively extinguish such fiery arrows, protecting the soldier from harm.

In every circumstance in our lives, believers in Christ are to personally bring their protection, or shield, against sin. This is their trust in, commitment to, dependence upon and worship of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It is interesting to note that in the Old Testament, the LORD is the shield of His people (Gen. 15:1; Psalm 144:1-2).

Such faith can extinguish (σβέννυμι; sbennymi) or stop the attacks originating from the evil one, or the devil. A professor of mine once remarked that the devil’s flaming darts could very well be the searing thoughts enticing the believer to sin against God.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “This Greek word (for shield) usually refers to the large shield (2.5 x 4.5 feet) that protected the entire body. The faith to which Paul refers is not the body of Christian doctrine (as the term is used in 4:13) but basic trust in God. The believer’s continual trust in God’s word and promise is “in all circumstances” necessary to protect him from temptations to every sort of sin. All sin comes when the victim falls to Satan’s lies and promises of pleasure, rejecting the better choice of obedience and blessing.”

What flaming darts has the evil one been attacking you with lately? Keep you shield of faith up and ready. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15 (ESV)

Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

The good news spoken by the Prophet Isaiah is the same good news spoken by the Apostle Paul. The good news both had in mind is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The image both men had in mind was that of a messenger who brings good news to others. What better news is there than the good news that Jesus Christ has provided not just a way, but rather the only way sinners can be restored to fellowship with the One, True, Holy God. It is solely through Jesus’ incarnate virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death on the cross and bodily resurrection that He provides justification, redemption, adoption, propitiation, and reconciliation. All of these blessings of salvation is by God’s grace alone, through God given faith alone.

Paul calls the gospel the gospel of peace. That brings to mind Romans 5:1-2 which says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Peace (εἰρήνη; eirene) refers to tranquility and harmony between God and sinners when once there was turmoil discord. This peace is solely through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Dr. R. C. Sproul comments, “Most ancient warfare consisted of hand-to-hand combat between soldiers after long marches to the battlefield. Thus, Roman soldiers required footwear that could sustain their feet as they marched and give them solid footing in a fight. The halfboot called the caliga met these very needs. For spiritual warfare, the gospel of peace fulfills the same purposes for the soldier of Christ. The announcement that God reigns and has reconciled Himself in Jesus to believers sustains us in the long march of the Christian life. It allows us to keep going even when things are so bad that we doubt whether the Lord really is looking out for us.”

Philippians 3:11-14 says, “¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. ¹² Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Press on, dear ones, with the sure footing of the gospel of peace. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Nineteen: Of the Law of God. Part 3.

6. Although true believers be not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned;^a yet is it of great use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a rule of life, informing them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly;^b discovering also the sinful pollutions of their nature, hearts, and lives;^c so as, examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin;^d together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of his obedience.^e It is likewise of use to the regenerate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin;^f and the threatenings of it serve to show what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatened in the law.^g The promises of it, in like manner, show them God’s approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof;^h although not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works:ⁱ so as a man’s doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law, and not under grace.^j

a. Acts 13:39; Rom 6:14; 8:1; Gal 2:16; 3:13; 4:4-5. • b. Psa 119:4-6; Rom 7:12, 22, 25; 1 Cor 7:19; Gal 5:14, 16, 18-23. • c. Rom 3:20; 7:7. • d. Rom 7:9, 14, 24; James 1:23-25. • e. Rom 7:24-25; 8:3-4; Gal 3:24. • f. Psa 119:101, 104, 128; James 2:11. • g. Ezra 9:13-14; Psa 89:30-34. • h. Lev 26:1, 10; 26:14 with 2 Cor 6:16; Psa 19:11; 37:11 with Mat 5:5; Eph 6:2-3. • i. Luke 17:10; Gal 2:16. • j. Rom 6:12, 14; Heb 12:28-29; 1 Pet 3:8-12 with Psa 34:12-16.

7. Neither are the forementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the gospel, but do sweetly comply with it:^a the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and cheerfully which the will of God, revealed in the law, requireth to be done.^b

a. Gal 3:21. • b. Ezek 36:27; Heb 8:10 with Jer 31:33.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” (Ephesians 6:14 (ESV)

The next piece of the believer’s armor is the breastplate of righteousness. For the ancient Roman soldier, the breastplate (θώραξ; thorax) was the armor which covered the body from the neck to the thighs. It consisted of two parts: one part covering the front and the other the back.

The breastplate consisted of a tough, sleeveless piece of leather or heavy material with animal horn or hoof pieces sewn on, covering the soldier’s full torso. It protected the soldier’s heart and other vital organs.

The Apostle Paul associates the breastplate with righteousness. The question arises as to what is the meaning of the word righteousness (δικαιοσύνη; dikaiosyne) in this particular context. Is the Apostle Paul referring to the imputed righteousness of Christ or justification (Romans 3:21-26; Philippians 3:1-9) which describes the believer’s position before God in Christ. Or is Paul referring to the believer’s practice of righteousness or sanctification (Ephesians 4-5; Colossians 3-4; I Thessalonians 4:1-12) which is the believer’s ethical righteousness before God and man. Most scholars believe it to be both.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Commentators disagree as to whether the righteousness in view here is the imputed righteousness of Christ by which we are justified (2 Cor. 5:21) or the ethical righteousness that we practice and so reveal the authenticity of our faith to the world (James 2:14–26). It may be best to see the apostle as speaking, in some sense, of both. Understanding that God has declared us righteous by faith alone encourages us to repent and keep fighting after we fall, confident that He has covered our failures to follow His command. Practicing righteousness makes us better able to resist the sins that would detract us from efficiency and effectiveness in our mission.”

A key to our understanding of the text is the phrase having put on (ἐνδύω; endyo) which means to personally dress and clothe oneself. Since the believer in Christ is justified by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Christ alone (Ephesians 1:3-2:9) the text in 6:14 must be referring to the believer’s personal, daily and ethical righteousness.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Because righteousness, or holiness, is such a distinctive characteristic of God himself, it is not hard to understand why that is the Christian’s chief protection against Satan and his schemes. As believers faithfully live in obedience to and communion with Jesus Christ, his own righteousness produces in them the practical, daily righteousness that becomes their spiritual breastplate. Lack of holiness, on the other hand, leaves them vulnerable to the great enemy of their souls (cf. Isa. 59:17; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thess. 5:8).”

Believers are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. However, the evidence of the imputed righteousness of Christ is the practice of ethical righteousness by our lives. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!   

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…” (Ephesians 6:14 (ESV)

“Given his Jewish upbringing, Paul’s thinking is continually informed by Old Testament teaching, especially as he unpacks the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10–20. Still, Paul almost certainly has in mind as well the armor of the Roman soldiers he saw every day throughout the empire.” – Dr. R. C. Sproul

Isaiah 11:1-5 depicts the Jewish Messiah as a mighty warrior. However, in light of the cultural context of the first century Roman Empire in which the Apostle Paul lived, we will examine how the equipment of the typical Roman soldier illustrates the believer in Christ’s armor. Today we examine the belt of truth.

Paul begins his illustration with the now familiar command to stand (ἵστημι; histemi). As previously noted in Eph. 6:13, to stand means to be establish and unmovable in the truth of God while living in a world which loves lies.

The phrase having fashioned (περιζώννυμι; perizonnymi) means to personally get ready and to prepare oneself for battle. The belt of truth (ἀλήθεια; aletheia) is the believer’s readiness to learn God’s truth.  

Each Roman soldier has a leather belt. His belt supported his lower abdomen. It also gathered his tunic and held his sword. A soldier’s belt provided physical support and stability. The Word of God provides the believer much the same type of confidence. This comes from the certainty about the truthfulness of God’s Word.

Dr. Sproul comments further that, “Ancient Roman soldiers wore a leather apron to protect their thighs from the attacks of their foes, and this piece of armor is the counterpart to the “belt of truth” (Eph. 6:14). Without God’s truth we have no true support — we remain completely vulnerable and are left, effectively, with no legs to stand on. If we lose the truth of the gospel (1:13; 4:21, 24; 5:9), we have the bottom cut right out from under us, rendering us unable to withstand the assaults of false doctrine, half-truths, and other deviations from the Lord’s revelation. According to Isaiah 11:5, the Messiah wears a belt of righteousness and faithfulness. Knowing the truth of the gospel, we see that God has been faithful to His promise to declare us righteous in Christ.”

There are many who say there is no objective truth. Remain steadfastly committed to the truth of the gospel today.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)

Christians wrestle, or fiercely struggle, against forces of wickedness. It is for that reason the Apostle Paul urgently commanded all believers in Ephesus to take up their spiritual armor. Believers in Christ today are under the same heavenly mandate.

Take up the whole armor of God. The phrase take up (ἀναλαμβάνω; analambano) is an aorist active imperative verb. It means that each believer in Christ is to wholeheartedly obey God’s command to carry and bring along the whole armor of God.

The phrase whole armor (πανοπλία; panoplia) is the believer’s offensive and defensive weapons of spiritual warfare. This armor originates and is solely sourced in God alone. To obediently respond to God’s command to appropriate such biblical weapons is God’s will for each believer in Christ.

The purpose of such armor, and the Christian’s application of it, is stated in the latter portion of today’s text. God’s armor enables the believer in Christ to withstand in the evil day. To withstand (ἀνθίστημι; anthistemi) means to oppose and to resist. What believers in Christ are to withstand Paul calls the evil day (πονηρός ἡμέρα; poneros hemera). The evil day refers to a time of worthlessness, immorality and wickedness.

The Apostle Paul notes that when believers in Christ take up God’s armor they will be able to withstand the evil they encounter in this world. Additionally, Paul says and having done all, to stand firm. The phrase having done all (κατεργάζομαι; katergazomai) means to be thorough and to accomplish God’s purpose.

When a believer in Christ does everything God requires of them in taking up the armor God provides, they will be able to stand firm. To sand firm (ἵστημι; histemi) means to hold fast to God’s truth and righteousness. It also means to withstand evil when it comes.

John Calvin comments, “There will be no danger which may not be successfully met by the power of God; nor will any who, with [the armor of God], fight against Satan, fail in the day of battle.”

Be strong in the Lord’s strength today as you fight the battle. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!