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BUT SINCE WE ARE OF THE DAY LET US BE SOBER:
hemeis de hemeras ontes (PAPMPN) nephomen: (5;
Romans 13:13;
Ephesians 5:8,9;
1 Peter 2:9;
1 John 1:7)
But - Paul again introduces
a contrast between those who engage in activities characteristic of
the night (see note
1Thessalonians 5:7)
and believers who belong to the day.
For the metaphor of a soldier's
armor as a picture of the believer's spiritual armour see related
notes on
Romans 13:12;
Ephesians 6:10ff;
2 Timothy 2:3;
2:4;
2 Timothy 4:7
For example Paul has a
similar exhortation to the Romans in view of the shortness of time,
especially the brevity of our lives in light of eternity...
And this do, knowing the time, that
it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation
is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 The night is almost gone,
and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of
darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly as
in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual
promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But
put on
(aorist
imperative - do
this now! Don't delay!) the Lord Jesus Christ, and
make
(present
imperative = stop
an attitude or activity already in progress!) no provision for the
flesh in regard to its lusts. (See notes
Romans 13:11;
13:12;
13:13;
13:14)
Of the day - our identity
which takes us back to verse 5, sons of light and sons of day...not
of night nor of darkness.
Spurgeon comments that when
soldiers...
sleep put off their armor; but in
the day when they are awake and on their guard they wear their armor,
and are ready for the fray. See how much is involved in Christian
wakefulness. God help us to carry out every virtue to its legitimate
consequences,-not to be wakeful after a fashion, but wakeful after
God’s fashion.
Because our true nature is that of a day person, Paul exhorts us
to continually be sober and not allow ourselves to become "drunk" so
to speak when it comes to
spiritual truth. Believers are to live in the light of Christ, not the
darkness ruled by Satan.
Sober (3525)
(nepho)
(Click
discussion
of sober in previous verse)
in the physical sense literally referred to either complete abstinence
or in a relative sense to temperance (drinking but not to the point of
intoxication). Don't misunderstand what Paul is saying here -- he is
not saying you need to walk around with a sad, gloomy countenance. The
idea of sober in this context includes spiritual stability,
stability we need in Christ, in the Spirit, to withstand the onslaught
of the darkness. As the return of Christ draws nigh, and the
temptations of the darkness intensify, it is absolutely crucial for
believers to have a cool, collected, mind of Christ attitude toward
temptation.
The NT uses nepho only in the figurative sense meaning to be
free from every form of mental and spiritual "intoxication". The idea
is to be calm and collected in spirit, circumspect, self-controlled,
well-balanced, clear headed. Be self-possessed ("Spirit" possessed)
under all circumstances. Nepho speaks of exercising self-restraint
(enabled by the Spirit) and being free from excess, from evil passion,
from rashness, etc.
Without sobriety true vigilance is impossible.
And so Paul is calling believers to
continually (present
tense) live
soberly and in this state we are more alert and watchful and less
likely of being enticed by the deeds of darkness. Night
people can only do night deeds and
cannot do the deeds of the day. However sons of light and sons of
day can do the deeds of the night, tracking back to their old
patterns of conduct. To be sure, as sons of day we have the
power to commit sins, but we can still commit acts of darkness
unless we remain sober. What is even more tragic is that when
believers commit sins, they do so in the light of God's revealed
truth, regarding our dethroned sinful nature. Paul calls for our
behavior to be consistent with our new nature.
The sober-minded believer knows the future is
secure because he knows the One Who holds the future in His, and is
enabled to live calmly and obediently. On the other hand, if a
Christian falls into patterns of sinfulness, he loses assurance, loses
confidence, loses hope and may fear that he will get caught in the
Day of the Lord.
Warren Wiersbe phrases it
this way...
Outlook determines outcome; and
when your outlook is the uplook, then your outcome is secure.
Denney writes that...
Wakefulness and sobriety do not
exhaust the demands made upon the Christian. He is also to be on his
guard. “Put on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet,
the hope of salvation.” While waiting for the Lord’s coming, the
Christian waits in a hostile world. He is exposed to assault from
spiritual enemies who aim at nothing less than his life, and he needs
to be protected against them. In the very beginning of this letter we
came upon the three Christian graces; the Thessalonians were commended
for their work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in the
Lord Jesus Christ. There they were represented as active powers in the
Christian life, each manifesting its presence by some appropriate
work, or some notable fruit of character; here they constitute a
defensive armour by which the Christian is shielded against any mortal
assault. We cannot press the figure further than this. If we keep our
faith in Jesus Christ, if we love one another, if our hearts are set
with confident hope on that salvation which is to be brought to us at
Christ’s appearing, we need fear no evil; no foe can touch our life.
It is remarkable, I think, that
both here and in the famous passage in Ephesians, as well as in the
original of both in Isaiah 59:17, salvation, or, to be more precise,
the hope of salvation, is made the helmet. The Apostle is very free in
his comparisons; faith is now a shield, and now a breastplate; the
breastplate in one passage is faith and love, and in another
righteousness; but the helmet is always the same. Without hope, he
would say to us, no man can hold up his head in the battle; and the
Christian hope is always Christ’s second coming. If He is not to come
again, the very word hope may be blotted out of the New Testament.
This assured grasp on the coming salvation — a salvation ready to be
revealed in the last times — is what gives the spirit of victory to
the Christian even in the darkest hour. (Expositor's Commentary)
HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF FAITH
and LOVE:
endusamenoi (AMPMPN) thoraka pisteos kai agapes kai perikephalaian
elpida soterias: (Isaiah
59:17;
Romans 13:12;
2 Corinthians 6:7;
Ephesians 6:11,13-18)
(Job
19:23-27;
Psalms 42:5,11;
43:5;
Lamentations 3:26;
Romans 5:2-5;
8:24,25;
1 Corinthians 13:13;
Galatians 5:5;
2 Thessalonians 2:16;
Hebrews 6:19;
10:35,36;
1 Peter 1:3-5,13;
1 John 3:1-3)
Having put on the breastplate
- well equipped soldiers had two essential pieces of equipment,
one to preserve the vital organs and the other to preserve the head.
The modern-day equivalent is the bulletproof vest. The emphasis in
this picture is on the protection of a believer and therefore Paul
does not mention a sword.
Having put on
(1746)
(enduo
from en = in +
dúo = to sink, go in or under, to put on) means literally to
clothe or dress someone and to put on as a garment, to cause to get
into a garment (eg, Lu 15:22 where the father says "quickly bring out
the best robe and put it on him...").
In the
middle voice
(as in
Colossians 3:10 - note) it means to clothe oneself with something, in this
case the clothes worn by the "new man" who is clothed in the robe of Christ's
righteousness, which includes the breastplate of faith and love. Don't
scan over this truth -- because the truth is that it is your
responsibility to put on the breastplate. God has provided everything
necessary for life and godliness in a true knowledge of Him Who called
us, but we have to avail ourselves of this true knowledge (see note
2 Peter 1:3),
working it out of our intellect and into our lives on a practical
basis.
Hiebert writes that...
The
believer is not only a watchman but also a warrior. He must not only
be alert and self-possessed but also equipped to resist the onslaught
of the enemy. While awaiting the return of his Lord, the believer must
be on his guard, for he waits in a hostile world. (Hiebert,
D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996)
Luke uses enduo
figuratively describing clothing with spiritual power...
And behold, I am sending forth the
promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until
you are clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49) (Comment:
Here the indirect middle conveys the sense "put on yourselves power
from on high as a garment". They are to wait till this experience
comes to them, which equates with “the promise of the Father.”
Enduo used in this figurative in classical Greek by Aristophanes
who writes "clothed with audacity"; Homer, "clothed with strength";
Plutarch, "clothed with nobility and wealth".)
Aorist tense indicates this
putting on is a past completed action and includes the idea that
this action was decisive.
When did the Thessalonians
put on the breastplate? This transpired the moment they confessed
Christ as Lord and Savior and were by grace through faith born again
as new creations in Christ at which time they were delivered from the
domain of darkness ruled by Satan and transferred into the Kingdom of
God's dear Son (see note
Colossians 1:13)
Breastplate (2382)
(thorax)
describes either the chest area or part of the body covered by the
breastplate or the protective covering of this area as utilized in
combat. The breastplate was a piece of armor that covered the
soldier's body from neck to waist and protected his heart, the very
center of his life and the spring of his vital forces.
Polybius tells us that
the breastplate was known as a heart-protector.
Usually it was made of bronze but the more affluent officers wore a
coat of chain mail. The front piece was strictly the breastplate, but
a back piece was commonly worn as well.
Isaiah foretold
of the Messiah wearing a breastplate of
righteousness, recording (in the context of a tragic description of
sins by Israel) that...
He (Messiah) put on
righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation
on His head; and He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and
wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle. 18 According to their deeds, so
He will repay, wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies. To
the coastlands He will make recompense. 19 So they will fear the name
of the LORD from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun,
For He will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD
drives. (Isaiah
59:17-19) (Comment:
This prophecy is a picture of Messiah's second advent, at the end of
the
Great Tribulation, to save those who will be saved
{see notes
Ro 11:26;
27} and to judge
those who rejected His salvation {see Mt 25:31 of the judgment of
Gentiles who will enter the
Millennial Kingdom
and Ezekiel 20:33-38 for the corresponding judgment of the Jews to
determine who will enter the Messianic Kingdom}. Had our Substitute not been fully,
perfectly righteous, we could never have attained God's required
righteousness. Instead Paul explains that believers have nothing to
boast it for by God's "doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to
us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and
redemption" 1Cor 1:30)
Faith
(4102)
(pistis)
is synonymous with trust or belief and is the conviction of the truth
of anything, but in context speaks of the
conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things
well as the Provider and Bestower of eternal salvation through Christ.
As faith relates to Christ it represents a strong and welcome
conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through Whom we obtain
eternal salvation and entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Stated
another way, eternal salvation comes only through belief in
Jesus Christ and no other way.
Faith is an essential protection against temptations
to doubt God's promise that they would not experience the Day of the
Lord's wrath. Faith in God's promise is tantamount to putting
on a breastplate to cover one's vital organs, especially our heart.
And what is ultimate
manifestation of faith that protects like a breastplate? It is
obedience. When I obey what God has commanded and instructed, for
example, abstaining from sexual immorality, etc, I am showing that I
believe God by my action of abstaining and this functions like a
"breastplate" to deflect doubts concerning the certainty of God's
promise that He "has not destined us for wrath".
Richison explains that
faith...
protects the affections or heart.
Unbelief strikes hardest at the heart, so Paul mentions it first. The
downfall of those without Christ is that they “believed not the truth”
(2 Thessalonians 2:12). If we live by faith, this will keep us
sober — spiritually stable in spiritual war. Faith will
enable us to stand against those who would undermine what we believe.
A heart full of love will arm us against broken relationships. It will
stabilize relationships and promote accountability, thus reducing the
chances that people will steer into apostasy.(1
Thes 5:8
)
Love
(26)(agape)
refers to unconditional, sacrificial love that God is (1Jn
4:8,16) and that God demonstrates (Jn
3:16,
1Jn 4:9, see note
Ro 5:8).
Agape love is the love of choice. It is a Christ-like love
manifest by selflessly serving others with humility. It is not motivated by
the recipient's superficial appearance,
by an emotional attraction, by one's sentiments. Agape chooses as an act
of self-sacrifice to serve the recipient.
Richison explains that...
A heart full of love will
arm us against broken relationships. It will stabilize relationships
and promote accountability, thus reducing the chances that people will
steer into apostasy.(1
Thes 5:8
)
From all of the descriptions
of agape love, it is clear that true agape love is a
sure mark of salvation as John explains in his first epistle
explaining that...
By this the children of God and the
children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice (present
tense - as a
habit or as a lifestyle) righteousness is (absolutely, definitively)
not of God, nor the one who does not love (present
tense - as a
habit or as a lifestyle) his brother. For this is the message which
you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another
(John now illustrates absence of love) not as Cain, who was of the
evil one (Cain was an unbeliever and his spiritual father was Satan,
John 8:44), and slew his brother (Abel, see note
Hebrews 11:4).
And for what reason did he slay him? Because his (Cain's) deeds were
evil, and his brother's (Abel's) were righteous. Do not marvel,
brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out
of death into life, (in other words, we know that we are genuinely
born again) because we love
(present
tense - as a
habit or as their lifestyle) the brethren. He who does not love
(present
tense - as a
habit or as their lifestyle) abides
(present
tense -
continually) in death (i.e., spiritual death = an unbeliever) Everyone
who hates (the opposite of love - see Jesus' words on anger - notes
Matthew 5:21,
22)
his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal
life abiding in him. (1John 3:10-15)
And so clearly when we demonstrate
love in a sacrificial manner, not just with words but deeds
(such as providing for the needs of our brethren) and by obeying God's
commands (cp 1John 5:2-3 "By this we know that we love the
children of God, when we love God and observe His
commandments For this is the love of God, that we keep
His commandments; and His commandments are not
burdensome." cp Jesus' words - "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
Jn 14:15), we are in effect "putting on" the breastplate of love in a
practical, experiential sense. This love functions as a shield to give
us assurance, John explaining that...
We shall know by this (by our
demonstration of love) that we are of the truth, and shall assure
our heart before Him, in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is
greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart
does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and
whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments
and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. (1John 3:19-22)
Believers can fall into the trap of following the world’s demand that a lover feel positive toward
the beloved. This is not agape love, but is a love based on
impulse. Impulsive love characterizes the spouse who announces
to the other spouse that they are planning to divorce their mate. Why?
They reason “I can’t help it. I fell in love with another person!”
Christians must understand that this type of impulsive love is
completely contrary to God’s decisive love, which is decisive
because He is in control and has a purpose in mind. There are many
reasons a proper understanding of the truth of God's word (and of the
world's lie) is critical and one of the foremost is Jesus' declaration
that
"By
this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love
(agape) for one another." (John
13:35).
Hiebert writes...
The breastplate is pictured as being
double or having two sides. Faith denotes the proper inner attitude of
the believer toward Christ as his Redeemer and Lord, while love is the
proper outward expression of the Christian life toward the saints.
Constable remarks, "Faith in God protects inwardly and love for people
protects outwardly. These two graces cannot be separated; if one
believes in God, he will also love other people (cf. 1 Thes. 1:3;
3:5)." (Ibid)
AND THE HELMET OF SALVATION:
kai perikephalaian elpida soterias:
Helmet
(4030)
(perikephalaia
from peri = around +
kephale = head) means literally around the head or encirclement
of the head and thus a helmet.
A Roman soldier
who had lost his helmet was in danger of receiving severe head wounds
which would (at the very least) disorient him and render him
ineffective and in danger of further injury. Similarly, a Christian
who has no assurance of salvation (or has "lost his hope") cannot be bold in resisting Satan.
Roman military
helmets were of two types: the galea (made of leather) or the cassis
(metal). The helmet had a band to protect the forehead and plates for
the cheeks, and extended down in back to protect the neck. When the
helmet was strapped in place, it exposed little besides the eyes,
nose, and mouth. The metal helmets, due to their weight, were lined
with sponge or felt. Virtually the only weapons which could penetrate
a metal helmet were hammers or axes. No soldier’s uniform was
complete without a proper helmet. A helmet, being hot and
uncomfortable, would be put on by a soldier only when he faced
impending danger.
A Roman soldier
would be foolish to enter a battle without his helmet. He knew that
the helmet would protect his head from arrows, but that it's primary
function was to ward off blows from the enemy's broadsword (not the
small dagger, the machaira, mentioned in
Ephesians 6:17 - note) but the
broadsword, which was from three to four-feet long with a massive
handle that was held with both hands like a baseball bat. The soldier
lifted it over his head and brought it down on his opponent’s head.
The broadsword was a vicious weapon that could deal a crushing blow to
the skull. The helmet on one's head was the only way to deflect it. An
archaeological dig discovered a skeleton with a cleavage right through
the skull. Although it is only conjecture, it is quite likely that
this fatal would was made by someone who attacked the person with a
broadsword. Beloved, please do not leave home today without putting on
the helmet of salvation. In fact, don't ever take it off. Not
even when you go to sleep (it's a good thing we are speaking in
spiritual terms!).
John
MacArthur illustrates how the enemy attacks the believer's mind
writing that...
Satan’s "broadsword" has two sides to it:
discouragement and doubt. Satan wants to belt you in the head with
discouragement and doubt. His attacks of discouragement
might go like this:
You sure are giving a lot and not
getting much in return. You’re circumscribing your life to a certain
standard and setting yourself apart from the world. But what happens?
You just lost your job! Some blessing! You’ve been reading your Bible
every day, but your wife is as cranky as she was before you bought it,
and it hasn’t had any effect on her. What is God doing in your life?
You’ve been going to church for years, but look at your kids. They
don’t respect you today anymore than they ever did.
That would discourage anyone.
You might have been teaching a class for a long time, yet wonder if
anyone is getting anything out of it. That could discourage you. Satan
also wants to hit you in the head with doubt:
How do you know
you’re a Christian? Are you sure you’re saved? You certainly don’t
deserve to be; look what you just did! Do you think that’s what a
Christian does?
Many people suffer from doubt and discouragement, but
the helmet of salvation is our protection. (MacArthur,
J.. The Believer's Armor. Chicago: Moody Press 1986)
Vincent observes that in
this discussion of the Day of the Lord...
only defensive armour is mentioned, in
accordance with the darkness and uncertainty of the last time; and
that the fundamental elements of Christian character, faith, hope, and
love, are brought forward again as in
1 Thessalonians 1:3 (note); 1 Cor. 13:13.
(Word Studies in the New Testament)
Hope of salvation - Refers
to “the hope that salvation gives to us.” The hope that is directed
toward salvation. Ultimately this hope culminates in the
return of our Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus, to Rapture His Bride, the
church, out of evil age (see notes
1Thessalonians 4:13;
14;
15;
16;
17;
18), rescuing us from
the terrible, righteous wrath of God that is coming upon the whole
world. (See notes
1Thessalonians 1:10,
note
Revelation 3:10 notes
Titus 2:11;
2:12;
2:13;
2:14)
Hope (1680)
(elpis)
is confident expectancy, a
looking forward to something with some reason for confidence
respecting fulfillment or an absolute assurance that God will do good
to me in the future. Hope is a desire for some future
good with the expectation of obtaining it.
Hope
in Scripture
(with rare exceptions as
Acts 27:20)
is not the world's definition of "I hope so".
Hope in Scripture is the
absolute certainty of future good and believers are to be continually,
actively, expectantly "looking for the blessed hope and the
appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus."
(see note
Titus 2:13).
Peter says that believers have a
"lively hope" (KJV) writing...
Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us
to be born again to a living (present
tense =
continuously alive) hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead (see note
1 Peter 1:3)
Biblical hope is not "finger
crossing", but is a continuously alive and sure hope because of
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Life without
Christ is a hopeless end but life in Christ is an endless hope and
this truth is like a helmet with which we can gird our mind for action,
as Peter exhorts the suffering saints in his first epistle
Therefore, gird (the loins of) your
minds for action, keep sober (present
tense =
continually) in spirit,
fix your hope
(aorist
imperative = this
is imperative - do it now and do it effectively) completely on the
grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
(see note
1 Peter 1:13)
A living hope
should motivate a "looking" hope, motivating us to be waiting
eagerly and longingly for Christ's return at any time (imminency = no
prophetic events need to be fulfilled for Christ to return).
Click
in depth study of Biblical hope summarizing the definition,
source, stabilizing effect and sanctifying effect of hope)
Here in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Paul says our hope
is to function like a helmet to protect our mind, from doubts
about whether we are saved or whether we might experience the
Day of the Lord. Paul goes on to explain that this hope is
certain and sure
for God has not destined
us for wrath (the Day of the Lord in the present context) but (here is
the striking contrast) for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ (here referring to "future tense salvation" or glorification
when believers are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. -
see related topic
Three Tenses of Salvation)
(See note
1 Thessalonians 5:9)
This hope speaks especially of the
return of Christ for as Paul wrote to Titus we are to be...
looking for the blessed
hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior,
Christ Jesus (see note
Titus 2:13)
And so this helmet, the hope of
salvation fends off some of Satan’s most fierce and powerful blows
directed at the believer’s eternal security. Therefore Paul encourages
believers to have confidence in the salvation they already possess.
Paul knew that doubting their security in Christ would render them
ineffective in spiritual warfare, just as a blow to the soldier's head
would render his physical body incapable of defending itself.
Discouragement and doubt are deflected when you know you’re secure in
Christ.
Mid toil and tribulation, and
tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation of peace for evermore;
Till, with the vision glorious, her longing eyes are blest,
And the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
Salvation
(4992)
(soterios/soterion
from
soter =
savior) is an adjective which refers to that which is pertains to the
means of salvation = bringing salvation, delivering, rescuing.
Soterios
describes the act of delivering or saving from great danger or peril
but also includes the ideas of healing, protecting and preserving.
Obviously salvation is the present possession of all true
Christians, but what Paul is describing is our future tense salvation
(see
Three Tenses of Salvation)
when we are gloried. At this time we will fully experience our
salvation from the penalty, the power,
the presence and even the pleasure of sin. This is what Paul is
referring to in Romans 8 when he writes that...
we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the
redemption of our body (speaking of our future glorification). (see
note
Romans 8:23)
John also alludes to this future hope as a motivating
hope to keep on keeping on...
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as
yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like
Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this
hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)
Warren
Wiersbe feels that the helmet of salvation refers to ...
the hope the believer has in the
return of Jesus Christ. Satan often uses discouragement and
hopelessness as weapons to oppose us. It is when we are discouraged
that we are the most vulnerable. We will make foolish decisions and be
susceptible to all kinds of temptations. When the mind is protected by
“the blessed hope” of the Lord’s return, Satan cannot use
discouragement to attack and defeat us. Discouragement is a lethal
weapon in the hands of the enemy. Moses and Elijah became so
discouraged they asked God to kill them. The psalms record some of the
occasions when David was “in the depths” and could only hope in God.
(Wiersbe,
W: Strategy of Satan: How to Detect and Defeat Him)
Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again
praise Him, the help of my countenance, and my God. (Psalm 43:5)
John
MacArthur illustrates the importance of the believer's hope
writing that...
Often when a runner is on the home
stretch of a race he suddenly “hits the wall,” as the expression
goes. His legs wobble and refuse to go any farther. The only hope for
the runner is to keep his mind on the goal, on the victory to be won
for himself and his team. It is that hope that keeps him going when
every other part of his being wants to give up. (MacArthur,
J: Ephesians. Chicago: Moody Press)
Blaikie
writes that...
The glorious truth that we are
saved (see notes
Ephesians 2:5;
2:8)
appropriated, rested on, rejoiced in, will protect even so vital a
part as the head, will keep us from intellectual surrender and
rationalistic doubt. (The
Pulpit Commentary: New Testament;
Old Testament; Ages Software)
><> ><> ><>
Defense Systems - A number
of years ago, the US Secret Service observed that a high-ranking
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members. So four glass security doors were installed in the official's
Washington suite, at the cost of $58,000. They were in addition to a
pair of huge, thick wooden doors that were impossible to break down.
Later, when the person who monitors spending checked the results, he
noted that the new security doors were "always open and unguarded." So
their security value was zero!
I see in this incident a spiritual parallel. The Lord has provided all
the armor we need to face every kind of test and temptation. For
example, 1 Thessalonians 5:8 speaks of "the breastplate of faith and
love." When trouble invades our lives, faith can disarm it. And love
keeps difficulty from causing us to turn inward in brooding self-pity.
Love focuses our attention on the needs and well-being of others.
The helmet of "the hope of salvation" is the confident anticipation of
ultimate rescue, which can keep us from losing our minds in the middle
of disorder.
But remember, our defense system is not automatic. God's resources
must be used to be useful. —Mart De Haan II (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
A strong defense to guard the soul
Is ours from heaven above;
God fills our hearts with steadfast hope
And gives us faith and love. —D. De Haan
No evil can penetrate the armor of God.
><> ><> ><>
It's For Sure - Before our
second child was born, my wife and I attended a childbirth class
offered by the hospital. During the course we watched a film designed
to relieve the fears of expectant parents. All of us had questions
like: When will the labor begin? Will there be plenty of time to get
to the hospital? Will the delivery be hard? And what about our baby?
Will it be a boy or a girl? Will it be large or small? Will it be
healthy?
The narrator then summed it up like this: "Yes, there are so many
questions left unanswered. But one thing is for sure: You will
deliver. You will give birth!" The class laughed. One thing was
certain—the baby would come.
The experience reminded me of the Lord's second coming. We have so
many questions about it. What will it be like? Will it be a startling
experience? Will we be happy when we see Jesus? Where will we be when
it occurs? Will we be living, or will we be among those who are raised
from the dead?
Yes, as we anticipate the birth of that new day, there are many
unanswered questions. But one thing is for sure—He is coming! That is
why we should prepare ourselves through faith, hope, and love (1
Thessalonians 5:8). Then we will be ready for the blessed event. —Mart
De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Marvelous message we bring,
Glorious carol we sing,
Wonderful word of the King:
Jesus is coming again! —Peterson
(c) 1957 Singspiration, Inc.
Jesus may come at any time, so we should be ready all the time.
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