Ephesians 6:10-20
Context
Ephesus is a city in western Asia Minor (the current country of Turkey), where Paul founded a church. The letter as a whole depicts the church as a powerful part of Christ's plan to reconcile the world to God. Today's passage is the concluding encouragement to live up to the lofty ideals.
The military apparel listed was familiar to any city dweller - Roman soldiers were a common sight.
Listening to the writer
"Our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." The same Greek word (ouranos) translates to "heaven" and "sky" - the ideas are equivalent in the ancient world - and the author believes that there is a cosmic struggle in the air between good and evil. Our fight is not with Roman soldiers, but with the spiritual beings who fight against God in the sky. Thus, we don't need physical weapons, but spiritual ones: truth, righteousness, spreading the good news (cf Isaiah 52:7), faith, salvation, the word of God, prayer.
Listening to God
Who, or what, are your enemies? Christ calls us to love all people - if you find this difficult with particular people, can you recast your battle as being with a "spiritual force" instead of the person? (If you don't find this difficult with anyone, then you need to get out and meet more people.)
Which parts of "God's armor" do you use regularly? Where are you completely unprotected? Is God calling you to new practices, new disciplines? (Is God calling you to drop some equipment so that you have room for what you really need?)
Miscellaneous Meanderings
I am feeling overwhelmed by the rulers, authorities, and this present darkness... the health care "debate" is being overshadowed by insanity. Assault rifles are showing up at presidential events! I want to scream out "TRUTH" - and the truth seems so obvious to me (at least the truth that assault rifles have nothing positive to contribute to a health care debate!)
But truth is a slippery animal these days. I've got a strong hold on some truths, such as mathematics and the physical sciences. There are others that I do not question, and that form the foundation of my daily activities: Kendall loves me, life is worth living, breathing and drinking and eating are good! And then, there's the spiritual realm. I'm convinced that it exists. But beyond that... I'm amazed at how people can be so certain of spiritual truths. The spiritual realm is mysterious, differences of opinion abound, and no one group seems to have an objective way to convince others. So how can we wear "the belt of truth"?
For me, the "belt of truth" is not about wearing the right facts around my waist, it's about the Truth protecting me, forgiving me, saving me, in spite of my lack of knowledge.
And I have a sneaky suspicion that some people who are using beliefs for a belt are going to find their pants around their ankles when the battle begins.
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I love the scripture about the armor of God, because it is one of those times where the writer finds a near perfect metaphor for the difference between the kingdom of God and the empire/government of men. The writer isn't trying to insinuate that the kingdom of God is like a war, rather that our defenses should be right relationships, good news, etc... which are the opposite of violence.
ReplyDeleteFunny how so many Christians find themselves wrapped up in the politics of our empire/government's healthcare debate, and in doing so, completely lose the goal of the kingdom of God... to bring good news to the poor, disinfranchised, hurting, etc.
I really wish I could turn on the TV to see "mobs" of Christians shouting "we don't care about politics, we care about people" or "we want your plan to bring justice for the poor" rather than the outright opposition or support for any one imperfect plan.
I think the problem at heart here is that Christians feel bound by the options presented to them (two parties, one healcare plan over another, etc), rather than seeking right relationships and justice with no boundaries (really embracing our role as image-bearers).
Wouldn't a mob of Christians shouting "we want your plan to bring justice for the poor" be many Christians caring about politics? (Which I think would be a good thing.) And there are Christian groups doing just that.
ReplyDelete"Politics" doesn't necessarily mean party politics, but to call out for justice for the poor is an inherently political (and definitely biblical) action.
Martin Luther King Jr. is my obvious and easy choice of good political work by a Christian. But I am finding it too easy to simply stay out of the mess.
Thanks for the input.