Ephesians 6:19-24
(Lightly edited from sermon notes)
Swimming in the life-giving waters of the book of Ephesians causes us examine how Christians are to prepare for the battle that rages around us.
We need to remember that the Christian life is often lived on a battleground not a playground. Certainly, by the goodness and grace of God, we can experience joys and respite along the way, but we must not be lulled to sleep by the enemy as he roams about like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour.
The wonderful reality that gives us strength in the face of such a battle is the reality that God has already given us everything we need in Christ Jesus to be prepared for the onslaught of the enemy.
We don’t have to cower in fear when he comes, we can instead stand boldly against the dragon and slay him with weapons that are not our own, in the strength of armor that is not our own, to give all glory and honor and victory to the King of kings.
What is this armor that will enable us to withstand such attacks of Satan?
It is the armor of God, battle-gear given to us by our gracious heavenly Father, by the power of His Spirit, purchased by the blood of the Son.
This section of Ephesians is only 9 words long. It says this: “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth,” What then does this supernatural belt do?
First,
- The Truth Prepares Us For Battle.
What does the belt do? It holds all things together.
It signifies readiness in the face of battle. “It is foolish to go in to battle wearing a belt that can’t hold together.” -H.B. Charles.
The truth is, we cannot put on truth if we do not know it. One pastor offered this helpful definition of what truth is: “Truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory, and being of God.”
The belt Paul has in mind would have been something of a girdle. And translations have varied on how the belt is “put on” “fastened” “buckled”, but the original KJV gives us a helpful description, though we don’t use this phraseology anymore, we are called to “gird our loins” with the belt of truth.
I am a fan of theme parks, but what I’m not a fan of is when the workers on each ride, seeming not to the belt and pull it. They fasten it, tighten it and make sure that we will not fall off or fall out of the vehicle. This is how the belt functions. God’s truth secures us and keeps us aligned with what he has said.
Jesus says in John 17:17 as he prays for his disciples, as by extension us, “Sanctify them by your truth. Your Word is Truth.”
This belt is of course part of the entire armor of God. It is meant to equip, aid, assist, and defend the Christian and we march into battle against the crafty schemes of Satan. And Satan loves to throw obstacles in our way.
2. The Truth of God Frees us From Hinderances.
Did you know that Oxford dictionary made “post-truth” the word of the year in 2016. Indeed this is how many people in our society see truth.
You and I know that “The truth will set us free.” But do we know what the truth is?
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
“Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
Truth will free us from the things that trip us up and threaten to undo us.
3. Therefore, Take Up the Truth.
I love how Randy Alcorn says this, “You and I can discover truth, but we cannot create it. What’s true is true and what’s not is not – for all of us, all the time. Our culture views truth as something inside us, subject to revision according to our growth and enlightenment. Scripture views truth as something outside us, which we can believe or not but can never sway.”
Contrary to many viewpoints in our culture,
- God designed male and female as equal yet distinct beings made in the image of God and no we speak truth against the lie that gender is fluid, oppressive or imaginary. God created them male and female.
- All people are made in his image. Therefore, dignity and value is given to all people regardless of age, race, or whether they are in the womb or not.
- God created this world. It was not an accidental clash of microscopic particles that just happened to result in something from nothing. This is absurdity. Nothingness cannot produce anything.
- Jesus truly lived, died, and rose again from the dead. This is not opinion, this is not personal persuasion, this is not just a matter of we can agree to disagree. It is fact. It is truth.
One Christian author said it this way, “We bear witness to the truth when we seek to sort truth from error—refraining from slandering brothers and sisters in Christ and from spreading falsehoods like fire through our lips in conversation or our fingers online.”
Remember what Paul said in verse 25 of chapter 4 of Ephesians? “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” Rejecting lies must be part of our stand for truth.
Recently, someone had claimed online that they were a Christian but didn’t believe in a Virgin birth, rejected Jesus’ sinlessness, affirmed “alternative lifestyles” but said they believe in Jesus. Dear friend, you have found yourself a false religion when you have no objective standard and where you only pick and choose what you want and do not want to believe from the Word of God.
But when we stand for truth, it must be done in love; not with malice or hatred, but unmovable, unwavering commitment to what God has said and what he has done. “Peace if possible; truth at any rate.” Martin Luther. In a quote often attributed to Saint Augustine, he argued that, “The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.”
“What is truth?” Remember this infamous question asked by Pontius Pilate?
All truth is God’s truth. Reality that accords with fact is from God.
And truth is most gloriously expressed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
No deceit, no lies, were found in him. He is himself truth. Pilate asked what truth is while he was staring Truth in the face.
Is. 11:4-5 – describes One who wears a belt like the one mentioned in Ephesians. It is a belt of righteousness and faithfulness. This belt, the first piece of God’s armor, was first worn by our Warrior King. And he gives it to you and me.
Take it up, fasten it, tighten it, and wage war for truth, for the glory of God, and the good of those around us.
Called to Words 