Watch/Listen
Standing Ready
Brian Mashburn
May 15, 2016
Audio Player
Finally
After writing a beautiful explanation of who we are in Christ, how we become Christ's, and who can become Christ's - and then after expounding on what a life that belongs to Christ looks like in terms of heart, character, morality, and relationships, Paul indicates that he is wrapping up by saying, "Finally..." (Ephesians 6:10).
How will he conclude? What will be his parting remark? After wowing his readers with the unhinged love of God for them and challenging them with an uncensored call to live a life worthy of it, what will he leave them with?
"Be strengthened," he says.
This life we are called to live, make no mistake, takes strength. You cannot just "go with the flow" and live it. It takes power and might. That doesn't mean it's hard, or burdensome. Jesus would even say that it is "easy" and it is "light" (as in, not heavy)! But it still requires strength.
Not your strength, mind you. He's not saying go to the gym and work out. If it was dependent on your strength, Jesus would be wrong - it would NOT be easy or light. The mere thought of trying to be like Christ by my power wears me out with weariness and worse, hopelessness. But, praise God, that is not the call. He says to be strengthened "in the Lord and in his mighty power." You need a power beyond you, because you are up against a power that is beyond you. The imagery Paul uses lets us know that it is indeed a battle, one that you do engage in. But you have armor and weapons that, once you put them on, do the fighting for you. And through you.
He repeats 2 words in this thick passage: "stand" and "pray". For you to be a part of God's plan of bringing all things together under Christ you need to be praying. And then, fully armed, the Enemy will fall and you will stand.