Chapter 76 - Armor Appropriated

Vertical Divider

During the “evil day” (intense spiritual battle), “… put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” the “full armor of God”:

The Armor of God – Descriptive:

Vertical Divider

Scriptural Fact:
The life (zoe) of Christ in the New Testament church is its protective armor. Thus, Jesus Christ is the armor of God.	Ephesians 6:10-18
The “belt of truth,” “breastplate of righteousness,” and “shoes of peace” are descriptive of Jesus Christ. Attributes of His nature, they provide evidence of His living (zoe), indwelling presence.	Ephesians 6:14-15

Vertical Divider

Scriptural Faith:
Putting on the "full armor of God” is synonymous with putting on the “Lord Jesus Christ.”	Ephesians 6:11; Romans 13:14
Putting on the “armor of God,” the “Lord Jesus Christ,” is an act of faith. More specifically, it is an act of faith in Christ and the past fulfillment of His redemptive work. Thus, the New Testament church is to trust in Christ, His indwelling life (zoe) and its incomparable power, actively and dependently.	Ephesians 6:16
Truth is an attribute of the indwelling life (zoe) of Christ. “Stand firm” by faith in His truth against the schemes of the devil characterized by falsehood and lies.	Ephesians 6:14
Righteousness is an attribute of the indwelling life (zoe) of Christ. “Stand firm” by faith in His righteousness against the schemes of the devil characterized by accusations of unrighteousness.	Ephesians 6:14
Peace is an attribute of the indwelling life (zoe) of Christ. “Stand firm” by faith in His peace against the schemes of the devil that attempt to identify God as the source of conflict, difficulty, and suffering.	Ephesians 6:15

Vertical Divider

The Armor of God - Cooperative

Vertical Divider

Scriptural Fact:
Jesus Christ is the victorious Savior ascended and seated in authority at the right hand of the heavenly Father. Through His redemptive work the enemy was bound; his authority relinquished; abode plundered; works destroyed; protective armor removed; disarmed; and rendered powerless.	Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:22; John 3:8; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 2:14
The “Shield of Faith,” helmet of the “hope of salvation,” and the “sword of the Spirit” are the gracious, divinely provided means of cooperating with the living (zoe), indwelling Christ during the “evil day.”	Ephesians 6:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8

Vertical Divider

Scriptural Faith:
The “shield of faith,” the helmet of the “hope of salvation,” and the Spirit illuminated word of God are to be taken up by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ in the immediate present.	Ephesians 6:16-17
Take up the “shield of faith” and actively trust Jesus Christ moment by moment, throughout the “evil day.”	Ephesians 6:16
Take up “as a helmet, the hope of salvation” and actively trust Jesus Christ to deliver from the “evil day.”	Ephesians 6:17; 1Thessalonians 5:8
Take up the “sword of the Spirit,” the Spirit illuminated “word of God,” specific to the scheme of the devil on the “evil day.”	Ephesians 6:17
Put on and take up Jesus Christ (armor of God) continuously until victory is realized (no matter how long). Stand firm.	Ephesians 6:13; 1 Peter 5:9
Be on the alert always.	Ephesians 6:18 ; 1 Peter 5:8

Vertical Divider