Prepare for Battle

"Preparation is only possible when it is not currently necessary."

In our battle with sin, preparation is the key.  If we are not prepared to face the enemy, the enemy will overwhelm and destroy us.

I found that the idea of two armies battling is a great example.  You don't begin learning to use a gun when you are out in the midst of the battle.  In the same way, preparation for our battle with sin is necessary before sin has drawn up in battle array against our souls.

So, preparation is necessary, but what exactly is preparation?  In preparation for a real battle, you need to have the weapons, and you need to practice with them.

Having weapons and armor.  The first things you need are weapons and armor.  In Ephesians 6, we find our weapon is the Word of God, and the armor consists of salvation, righteousness, and many other virtues.  So we must first be granted salvation and establish these virtues through the Word of God in our hearts.

Practicing with the weapons and armor.  Now that you have the armor, you must use it.  Before a soldier goes into active service, he learns how to use the weapons and armor he has been given.  Exercise your God-given spiritual gifts at every opportunity.

In the army, discipline is huge.  Soldiers are strictly trained and disciplined to be ready as soon as possible.  Soldiers in an army that is waiting for the inevitable attack of the enemy (and the attack of sin is inevitable) do not sleep or "entangle [themselves] in the affairs of every day life," but they are prepared "for action" and "sober in spirit."  They are on the alert for any hint of the enemy.

So I encourage everyone who professes to be a soldier in the active service of God to do these three things.  Make sure you have the weapons and the armor, make sure you practice with them daily (at every opportunity), and finally, make sure you are disciplined to watch for the enemy.  You should always be prepared to battle for your Lord.

Luke

How much do we need God?

I haven’t posted in awhile, but I’ve had something to say—I just keep forgetting or neglecting to share it with you. But I finally thought about it and did something about it, and here it is!

I was thinking the other day about how much we need Christ. I was reading in a book that spoke about how the grace needed to save and sustain a sinner (a sinner who is one of the elect of God) is incredibly great. But not only does God do that for one day for one sinner, but for all eternity, every day, all the time, for all the millions that He chose to save.

And then I realized that I needed so much from God. Not only did I need that abundant, huge amount of grace daily, but I also needed Him to put it on me. When I thought of the grace of God as an incredible rainstorm on a parched desert (with me in it), I realized that even though I was parched and thirsty—I, on my own, would never open my mouth to receive God’s grace. Not only do I need Christ to give grace, but I also need him to open my mouth to receive His gift.

I also applied that to the Armor of God. He’s given me the belt of truth, the sword of the Spirit, the helmet of salvation, and all the other parts of the armor, but I need Him to go beyond giving them to me—I don’t know how to equip them. God alone can equip me with my armor. I am a helpless, unprepared soldier without armor until God both gives me the armor and equips it for me.

So pray that God would open your mouth to receive His blessings, His will, and His calling, and that daily He would equip you with all that you need to serve Him well.

Luke