THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10)

Devotion 11 of 15

THE ARMOR OF LIGHT

The nature of spiritual life can easily escape those who remain in this world–those who are not yet "absent from the body." The Holy Spirit is diligent to stir us up to consider the reality of our situation. Inactivity and slumber are always out of line, even though they are commonplace among those who are not illuminated. The "whole armor of God" has no value whatsoever if it is not "taken up" and "put on." It does not protect those who are asleep, working for them secretly and apart from the involvement of the believer. The truth brings no advantage unless we are girded with it. Righteousness does not protect our inner man unless it is put on as a breastplate. The Gospel is ineffectual for us if we do not shod our feet with the peace it heralds. Faith is not protective if we do not take hold of it, and put it before us as a shield. Salvation is only a doctrine, true though it is, unless it is put on like a protective helmet. The Word of God has no power for us unless we take it up like a sword, and do battle with it. Prayer is only something to study and discuss unless we use it always and under all circumstances, learning to use all of its varied forms with spiritual expertise.

At no point may we conduct ourselves as though we are not soldiers, or are not in a battle. We are never permitted to imagine we have no adversaries, or that they are weak and insipid, presenting no formidable challenge to us. That is the reason for the admonition, "Put on the whole armor of God!" You are never more wise than when you take that word seriously, and set out to do it with haste and determination.

This brings us to the consideration of "the armor of light," another perspective of the Divine provision for our protection.

"And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light" (NKJV). "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. 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" (NASB). "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." (NIV) – (Romans 13:12)

Is it possible for believers to "know the time?" Indeed, it is. Jesus once upbraided the unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees because they were undiscerning of the times. ""When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times" (Matt 16:2-3). What would our Lord say to this generation? Or is it possible that He IS saying something to it, but they do not have ears to hear?

The activity that is to be DONE in an acute awareness of "the time," is conducting the totality of our lives as unto the Lord (13:1-10). Successful living can only take place while we are awake and in the illuminating presence of the Lord. The "present time" is to be understood. It is neither right nor safe to know the time you will be taxed, but be unaware of the time in which you are living. To know the time you are to go to work, yet be unaware of the time in which the Lord is working is disastrous. From the standpoint of opportunity, "the time" is "the day of salvation" in which God is nourishing His people and hearing their prayers and supplications (2 Cor 6:2). From the view of danger, "the time" is when Satan "is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" (Rev 12:12). From yet another view, "the time" is the fulfillment of the Divine agenda, when the purpose of God is being brought to a culmination. It is imperative that God's people know "the time."

This is "the time" to wake up. It is the time to be alert, sensitive, and vigilant. Our "salvation" is drawing near, being closer to us now than when "we first believed." You do not have the whole of your salvation yet, and must not comport yourself as though you did. The time of the "fulness" of salvation is pressing in upon us, and we must be ready to have an "abundant entrance" into the everlasting Kingdom "ministered" to us (2 Pet 1:11).

Too, "the night is far spent." The devil's time is running out, praise the Lord! The time for flesh is running out! The time when the "new heavens and the new earth" will appear is coming in upon us (2 Pet 3:13). The bright "day" of Divine glory is nearing, and we must be able to comprehend that is the case. This is no time to launch into a speculative theology about the times, or attempt to prognosticate the details of earthly history. This is the time to prepare!

Our preparation consists of two things. Both are essential, and one cannot be done without the other. First, "cast off the works of darkness." I like the word "cast off" (KJV, NKJV, RSV) rather than the more mild expression "lay aside" (NASB, NRSV) or "put aside" (NIV). The word "cast off" means to make progress in ridding yourself of the liability in question. That liability is "the works of darkness"–the remnants of the old life that continue to cling to us. Get rid of them! Cast them violently away from yourself! Do whatever is necessary to rid yourself of offensive things (Matt 5:29-30). Do not pretend there are no such things. Aggressively "mortify the deeds of the body," and "your members which are upon the earth" (Rom 8:13; Col 3:5).

But, thrusting from us that which belongs to "darkness" is only the prelude to the real work. We are also to "put on the armor of light." This is the protection of "illumination" (Heb 10:32). It is having the "eyes of your understanding enlightened" (Eph 1:17-19) and being "filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col 1:9). The "armor of light" involves being "able to test and approve what God's will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will" (Rom 12:2, NIV).

Putting on the "armor of light" consists of "walking in the light, as He is in the light" (1 John 1:7). Ethan the Ezrahite called it walking "in the light of His countenance" (Psa 89:15), and Isaiah referred to it as "walking in the light of the Lord" (Isa 2:5). It is living with an acute awareness of the presence and will of the Lord, having an understanding of the necessities and involvements of true life.

Putting on the "armor of light" is the opposite of walking in darkness and unfamiliarity. It is NOT being ignorant of Satan's devices (2 Cor 2:11). When we have the "armor of light" on, we are walking in understanding, perceiving both those who are against us, and the One who is for us. No person can safely negotiate through the battle field of life without this armor.

The necessity of putting on "the armor of light" confirms the liabilities associated with being ignorant. It is ALWAYS a debilitating disadvantage to be unfamiliar with the Scriptures and the God who inspired them. To be provided "all things pertaining to life and godliness," and yet be ignorant of those things gives the advantage to the devil. To hear about an inheritance reserved for those who are in Christ, and yet be unsure about whether or not that involves YOU, is to be in need of "the armor of light."

Now, put on the armor of enlightenment and illumination. You will find it will protect you, and equip you to triumph over the devil and all of his artifices.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, grant me grace to rid myself of all that pertains to darkness, and arm myself with all the light You have graciously provided for me.

– Tomorrow: THE ARMOR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS --