His Word Today

“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.” (Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)

Having referred to the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11), the Apostle Paul elaborates on the spiritual war believers in Christ will encounter while living in this world.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. The word wrestle (πάλη; pale) does not refer to an entertaining show to be enjoyed by cheering spectators. Rather, the word means to fight and to struggle. To wrestle means to engage in an intense struggle, involving physical or nonphysical force against a strong opposition.

Paul goes on to say that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. This means physical or human individuals.

John Calvin writes, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood. The meaning is that our difficulties are far greater than if we had to fight with men. There we resist human strength, sword is opposed to sword, man contends with man, force is met by force, and skill by skill. But here the case is widely different. All amounts to this, that our enemies are such as no human power can withstand.”

Who, or what, exactly do believers in Christ wrestle against as they seek to honor God? The Apostle Paul provides some insightful answers.

Believers in Christ wrestle against rulers. Rulers (ἀρχή; arche) are wicked forces and supernatural powers.

Believers in Christ wrestle against authorities. Authorities (ἐξουσία; exousia)) are those who have the authority to rule. In this context, authorities are also wicked forces.

Believers in Christ wrestle against cosmic powers over this present darkness. Cosmic powers (κοσμοκράτωρ; kosmokrator) are world rulers who are endued with supernatural power. These rulers do not simply seek to rule the physical world but rather the people who inhabit the physical world. The phrase this present darkness (οὗτος σκότος; outos skotos) means the current realm of evil or the abode of evil spirits.

Fourthly, believers in Christ wrestle against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. The phrase spiritual forces (πνευματικός; pneumatikos) can refer to the spiritual forces of God who are angelically righteous and holy. However, in this context it refers to the demonic forces of the devil. This is clear by Paul’s usage of the phrase of evil (πονηρία; poneria) which means wickedness, evil and malice.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “To wrestle is a term also used of hand-to-hand combat. Struggling or wrestling features trickery and deception, like Satan and his hosts when they attack. Coping with deceptive temptation requires truth and righteousness. The four designations describe the different strata and rankings of those demons and the evil supernatural empire in which they operate. Satan’s forces of darkness are highly structured for the most destructive purposes. Cf. Col. 2:15 and 1 Pet. 3:22.”

No wonder believers in Christ must daily put on their spiritual armor. WE must remember that all Christians are engaged in a holy war.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul encouraged the church to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of God’s almighty power (Eph. 6:10). How may the believer access God’s strength in order to be strong in the Lord? Paul answers that question beginning with today’s text.

Paul begins with a command to believers in Christ: Put on (ἐνδύω; endyo). It is an aorist middle imperative. It means the believer is to do everything they personally can to obediently clothe and dress themselves.

With what? With the whole armor of God. The phrase whole armor (πανοπλία; panoplia) means a complete set of instruments for offensive and defensive warfare. The phrase of God (θεός; theos) means that the armor spoken of is solely originating and sourced from God.

What exactly is the purpose of this armor of God? Paul answers this question with a purpose clause which concludes the verse. The apostle states that you may be able to stand.

The individuals in question are believers in Christ. By putting on God’s armor believers in Christ may be able (δύναμαι; dynamai) or have the ability to stand (ἵστημι; histemi) or to make a stand. Against who, or what, are believers to stand against?

The answer is against the schemes of the devil. Schemes (μεθοδεία; methodeia) are the wile, strategies and craftiness of the devil. The word devil (διάβολος; diabolos) literally means a diabolical one. He is our adversary who is wicked and a slanderer. It is he that believers in Christ are commanded to resist. We effectively resist by putting on God’s whole armor.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The proper equipment with which to fight the Enemy is God’s armor (Eph. 6:13). This armor could be three different things. It could be the armor God supplies to His people, for He strengthens us to live for Him (Ps. 18:31–32). It could be the armor that the Lord wears to battle His foes (Isa. 59:15b–17). Or this armor could be God Himself, as Scripture uses terms such as truth and righteousness, which we wear as armor (Eph. 6:14), to name the Lord (Jer. 23:6; John 14:6). Actually, the armor of God likely encompasses all these possibilities, for they are not mutually exclusive. God supplies us with Himself in order to strengthen us against Satan. Standing in Him, we can successfully live out the implications of the gospel.”

Beginning Monday of next week, we will begin to examine each piece of armor the believer is to wear for the holy war. Have a blessed day as you fight the good fight of faith (I Timothy 6:12).

Soli deo Gloria!

^”Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)

The believer’s engagement in spiritual war is not an isolated doctrine within the New Testament Scriptures. The Christian’s struggle with the world, the flesh and the devil is extensively addressed not only in the four gospels, but also in the NT epistles and in the Book of Revelation.

The subject of spiritual warfare is also found in the church’s hymns and in worship songs. Here is but a sampling of some familiar titles.

Not by Might, Not by Power; The Battle Belongs to the Lord, Jamie Owens-Collins, (c) 1985, Fairhill Music;  A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Martin Luther, Frederick Hedge); There Is None Like You; Great Is Thy Faithfulness; Mighty Warrior (by Debbye Graafsma, (c) 1983 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music ); Shout to the Lord with a Voice of Triumph; Shout to the Lord!; Wounded Soldier, by Danny Daniels , (c) 1985 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing; I Walk by Faith, by Chris Falson (c) 1990, 1999, Maranatha Praise Inc.; Greater Is He That Is in Me, by Larry Wolfe, (c) 1973, Lanny Wolfe Music; Power in the Blood.

A recent worship song concerning spiritual warfare is entitled Christ is Mine Forevermore.It is by the worship artist CityAlight, from their album Only a Holy God. I encourage you to meditate today upon the following lyrics.   

Mine are days that God has numbered
I was made to walk with Him
Yet I look for worldly treasure
And forsake the King of kings

But mine is hope in my Redeemer
Though I fall, His love is sure
For Christ has paid for every failing
I am His forevermore

Mine are tears in times of sorrow
Darkness not yet understood
Through the valley I must travel
Where I see no earthly good

But mine is peace that flows from Heaven
And the strength in times of need
I know my pain will not be wasted
Christ completes his work in me

Mine are days here as a stranger
Pilgrim on a narrow way
One with Christ I will encounter
Harm and hatred for His name

But mine is armour for this battle
Strong enough to last the war
And He has said He will deliver
Safely to the golden shore

And mine are keys to Zion city
Where beside the King I walk
For there my heart has found its treasure
Christ is mine forevermore

Come rejoice now, O my soul
For His love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore

Have a blessed day as you engage in the holy war.

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 2.

4. To them also, as a body politic, he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the State of that people, not obliging any other, now, further than the general equity thereof may require.^a

a. Gen 49:10 with 1 Pet 2:13-14; Exod 21 throughout; 22:1-29; Mat 5:17 with 5:38-39; 1 Cor 9:8-10.

5. The moral law doth forever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof;^a and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator who gave it.^b Neither doth Christ in the gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen, this obligation.^c

a. Rom 13:8-10; Eph 6:2; 1 John 2:3-4, 7-8. • b. James 2:10-11. • c. Mat 5:17-19; Rom 3:31; James 2:8.

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

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)

“Unless we know the enemy we face and how to defeat him, however, our efforts to live out the gospel are for naught.” – Dr. R. C. Sproul

The believer in Christ is engaged in spiritual warfare. The enemies are the world, the flesh, and the Devil (1 John 2:15–17; Gal. 5:16; 1 Peter 5:8). The Apostle Paul has already referred to this reality in his letter to the Ephesians church (Eph. 1:19; 3:16). He now begins to address the subject in detail in this same letter’s concluding portion.

Every Christian struggles with sin (Hebrews 12:3-4). Temptation to disobey and dishonor God arise from without and within the believer in Christ. What John Bunyan called The Holy War will not cease for the believer until God calls them home to heaven. Until then, the war is ongoing and exhausting. It is just because of this ongoing and exhausting battle in sanctification that Paul begins his treatise on spiritual warfare with the words from today’s text.

The word finally (λοιπός; loipos) refers to the rest of what the apostle has to say to the Ephesian church. Paul began this epistle with the subject of the believer’s election in eternity past (Ephesians 1:1-6). He concludes with the believer’s struggle with sin until eternity future.

The phrase be strong (ἐνδυναμόω; endynamoo) is a present passive imperative verb. It is a command for the believer to submit to God and receive the strength and ability that is needed to actively fight the good fight of faith (I Timothy 6:12). The phrase literally means become strong.

From where, and from whom, does this strength originate which the believer needs to effectively combat the world, the flesh and the devil? Paul provides the answer with the words in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

The phrase in the Lord (ἐν κύριος; en kurios) means in union with and joined to the Lord Jesus Christ. The believer can only be strengthened to engage in spiritual warfare with the resources found only by being in union with Christ. When the sinner is justified, the newly converted can strive, with God’s help, to be sanctified (Philippians 2:12-13).

Additionally, the apostle adds the phrase and in the strength of his might (ἐν ἰσχύς αὐτός κράτος; en ischys autos kratos). This means the capability to fight sin is solely from the power and ability that is found in the Lord.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Ultimately, Satan’s power over Christians is already broken and the great war is won through Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, which forever conquered the power of sin and death (Rom. 5:18–21; 1 Cor. 15:56–57; Heb. 2:14). However, in life on earth, battles of temptation go on regularly. The Lord’s power, the strength of his Spirit, and the force of biblical truth are required for victory (see notes on 2 Cor. 10:3–5).”

Take note of four things in today’s text. First, the family address: My brothers. Second, the exhortation: Be strong. Third, a cautionary warning: In the Lord. Fourth, a final encouragement: and in the strength of His might.

May all of us in Christ fight the good fight today with the strength we receive from the Lord Jesus. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)

Following his encouragements to wives, husbands, children, parents, employees and employers, the Apostle Paul turns his attention once again to all believers. The subject the apostle focusses upon in his final words to the Ephesian church is spiritual warfare.

The battle ground is the believer’s struggle with sin (Hebrews 12:3-4). Scripture lists our main enemies as the world, the flesh, and the Devil (1 John 2:15–17; Gal. 5:16; 1 Peter 5:8). All are formable foes. However, to fight against any of these adversaries is to battle against the devil himself.

Rather than despair, the believer in Christ should be encouraged when faced with the inevitable spiritual conflict with sin. It is a sure indication the individual in question is a child of God. Such a conflict does not occur within the soul of the unconverted (Romans 3:9-20; Eph. 2:1-3).

The following is an excerpt from a letter by Martin Luther (Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel, trans. and ed. Theodore G. Tappert (orig., 1960; reprint, Vancouver, BC: Regent College Publishing, 2003), 85). It was written in July 1530 to Jerome Weller, a 31-year-old friend of Luther’s who had previously lived in the Luther home, tutored his children, and was now struggling with spiritual despair due to his battle against the world, the flesh and the devil.

Excellent Jerome, You ought to rejoice in this temptation of the devil because it is a certain sign that God is propitious and merciful to you.  

You say that the temptation is heavier than you can bear, and that you fear that it will so break and beat you down as to drive you to despair and blasphemy. I know this wile of the devil. If he cannot break a person with his first attack, he tries by persevering to wear him out and weaken him until the person falls and confesses himself beaten.

Whenever this temptation comes to you, avoid entering upon a disputation with the devil and do not allow yourself to dwell on those deadly thoughts, for to do so is nothing short of yielding to the devil and letting him have his way.

Try as hard as you can to despise those thoughts which are induced by the devil. In this sort of temptation and struggle, contempt is the best and easiest method of winning over the devil.

Laugh your adversary to scorn and ask who it is with whom you are talking.

By all means flee solitude, for the devil watches and lies in wait for you most of all when you are alone. This devil is conquered by mocking and despising him, not by resisting and arguing with him. . .

When the devil throws our sins up to us and declares we deserve death and hell, we ought to speak thus:

“I admit that I deserve death and hell.

What of it?

Does this mean that I shall be sentenced to eternal damnation?

By no means.

For I know One who suffered and made a satisfaction in my behalf.

His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Where he is, there I shall be also.”

Yours,

Martin Luther

Be strong today in the strength the Lord provides. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.” (Ephesians 6:9 (ESV)

Many of us, even as believers in Christ, probably make better employees than we do employers. The responsibilities for our own work is often much easier than having to be ultimately responsible for the work performance and work ethic of others.

Being an employer can be frustrating when workers do not want to work but want to be paid for non-working. As one boss recently said, “I don’t pay people to stand around.”

What should be the biblical attitude of a Christian boss, or employer, in their relationship with their employees? Should it be any different from that of non-Christians? The Apostle Paul turns his attention to masters, or employers, in today’s text from Ephesians.

“Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening.” The word masters (κύριος; kurios) means owner, ruler or lord. It is the same word used when referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. In the immediate context, Paul was specifically referring to earthly slave masters, but his attention is equally applicable to today’s employers.

The phrase do the same to them (ποιέω αὐτός; poieo autos) is a present active imperative command from God. Employees are to obey, respect, be sincere, not be people-pleasers, are to do the will of God from the heart, and render service unto God and not primarily to man (Ephesians 6:5-8). Employers are to do the same with respect to their Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, especially in their treatment of their employees. Paul states that the Master of slaves and employees is the same Lord of slave owners or employers.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Masters were to treat their slaves in the same way, that is, to please the Lord in their dealings with them. Slaves owners were not to keep threatening them but to treat them justly and fairly (cf. Col. 4:1; James 5:4) because they themselves were servants, with a Master who is an example to them. This, of course, is the Lord and He is the Master over both earthly masters and slaves. He shows no partiality, regardless of one’s rank (cf. Eph. 6:8).”

Employers are also to stop your threatening (ἀνίημι ἀπειλή; aniemi apeile). This means to forsake the verbal warning of doing someone harm. Christian employers are not to formally and verbally make threats to their workers.

Dr. R. C. Sproul adds that, “Christian leaders may warn those in their charge of the potential consequences of their actions, but leaders should also show grace to those laborers under them, encouraging their volunteers, staff members, and so forth. They have the same Lord as the Christians whom they supervise; consequently, they must lead by example, setting high but not impossible standards, and, insofar as they are able, they must endeavor to make it easy for others to serve them gladly.”

President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower once observed that “leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”

An employee’s work is often hard. An employer’s work is often much harder. Let each of us, regardless of our status and responsibilities, pray and encourage each other by having a biblical work ethic. Have a blessed day at work.  

Soli deo Gloria!  

⁵ “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.” (Ephesians 6:5–8 (ESV)

Finally, the Apostle Paul wants all employees to understand that when our work here on earth is done, the Lord will recompense, or compensate, the believer for whatever work was done for God’s glory.

John Calvin writes. “What a powerful consolation! However unworthy, however ungrateful or cruel their masters may be, God will accept their (the worker’s) services as rendered to Himself.”  

The promise found in Ephesians 6:8 is not only for the well paid employee but also for the individual who does the most menial of tasks. In God’s sight, there is no distinction between the two people groups.

The phrase he will receive back (κομίζω; komizo) means cause to experience or to take care of. In simple terms, it means to be paid back (Matt. 25:27; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:25; 2 Peter 2:13).

John Calvin concludes by stating, “No distinction is made between a slave and a free man. The world is wont to set little value on the labors of slaves; but God esteems them as highly as the duties of kings. In His estimate, the outward station is thrown aside and each is judged according to the uprightness of his heart.”

Have a blessed day as you serve our Lord well as we serve our employers well.

Soli deo Gloria!  

⁵ “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.” (Ephesians 6:5–8 (ESV)

What is to be the Christian’s perspective to their work, whether it be secular or sacred? Our work ethic, whether we are a mail carrier, a meat cutter, a massage therapist, or a manicurist, speaks to the type of person we are and the integrity, or the lack thereof that we possess.

The Apostle Paul continued his divinely inspired thoughts on work in Ephesians 6:7-8. These words serve the employee well and will benefit them whether they are a white collar or blue collar worker. In other words, it doesn’t matter whether you respectively work in an office or dig ditches for a living. All work is to be done for the honor and glory of God.

Ephesians 6:7 says, “⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man.” The phrase rendering service (δουλεύω; douleuo) means to serve in a humble manner. The godly employee is to esteem other workers as better than himself and to never seek to glorify himself.

Additionally, the Christian worker is to humbly do so with a good will (εὔνοια; eunoia). This means to perform your tasks at work with eagerness, wholeheartedness, enthusiasm and zeal. This is done when the Christian employee views their work as done for the Lord and ultimately not for men or the company.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The fundamental tenet Paul unfolds in Ephesians 6:5–8 is that we serve our earthly supervisors with an eye to the Lord. We are servants of Christ before all else (v. 6), and key to serving Jesus well is doing the will of those in authority over us, insofar as that will does not violate God’s law, of course. Our Creator rules His creation through delegated authorities (Rom. 13:1–7); consequently, to obey the directives of authorities is to obey God Himself. Simply put, we cannot claim to be Christ’s servants if we do not heed those whom God has put over us. Such obedience must be rendered with respect, not begrudging contempt.”

Soli deo Gloria!

⁵ “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.” (Ephesians 6:5–8 (ESV)

I began working at the age of 16. My first job was sweeping the parking lot, and taking care of the grounds, of a Burger King Restaurant. Honestly, I never saw so many discarded cigarette butts in my life. It was a dirty job, as you can imagine. I eventually worked my way up to assistant manager. I learned lifelong lessons about work and working at that fast-food restaurant.

My second job was in the meat department of a local Detroit area grocery store chain, which was eventual purchased by Kroger. It too was a hard and physically exhausting job. My boss and fellow employees were serious and demanding. However, I eventually earned their respect. The job also resulted in lifelong benefits. It was there that I met the young lady who was to become my wife.

It was also during my time at the grocery store that I became a Christian. I learned the importance of reflecting my love for my Savior in my commitment to excellence in the job I performed. The two became intertwined.

The Apostle Paul addressed the integrity of one’s work in Ephesians 6:6. Paul wrote “not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,” Paul was referring to work and the attitude of slaves, or employees, to be obedient to their earthly masters, or employers. Paul stressed that obedience to one’s earthly master, or boss, was to be sincere.

The phrase eye-service (ὀφθαλμοδουλία; ophthalmodoulian), from which we derive our English word ophthalmologist, is a slang expression meaning to work hard only when the master is around. Additionally, the phrase people-pleasers ἀνθρωπάρεσκος; anthropareskos) concerns the attitude of trying to win a boss’ favor without really working hard.

The alternative is to approach work with the mental attitude of being a bondservant of Christ and doing your job from a heart dedicated to always bring glory to God (I Corinthians 10:31). This means doing the will of God in your mind, emotions and will.

Not all jobs are easy and not all bosses are easy to work for and with. Some can be overly demanding, demeaning and micromanaging. Others may come across as uncaring and unfeeling.

Regardless of your work environment, each day you report for work and punch in resolved to do everything you do and say for the glory of the God who saved you. That work ethic results in a legacy of labor that will endure well after you have retired from your job.

Remember, to serve one’s employer well is to serve Christ well. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!