The Sermon on the Mount - 1

Key Lesson No. 1

 

Matthew 5:3 … “God blesses those who are poor & realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

 

            Matthew 5:3-12 is Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, also referred to as The Beatitudes. They were and are “a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers.” ⁽¹⁾ I will be touching on the key lessons to be learned from this sermon.

Jesus isn’t speaking to those who are financially poor, but rather who are spiritually poor. Those individuals will more times than not realize their spiritually bankrupt state and seek God realizing something is missing in their life. While financial and spiritual poverty can go together, they are not at all identical.

God speaks to these individuals in Isaiah 57:15, when he says, “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” The Lord is in each and every one of his children by virtue of his indwelling Spirit and because of his ubiquitous nature, all around us.

Living for God is a direct contradiction to the world’s values and clashes directly with them.  We are called to avoid being unduly influenced by the system of the world by living according to the standards scripture offers. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary to please the Lord with our lives. If we do this, we will be blessed. This is not to say our lives with become void of flaws or disappointments, or even significant challenges. What it does say is that if we live our lives to please God and not ourselves we will be blessed and achieve a heaven bound future. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

⁽¹⁾ Footnote from p. 2003 of The Life Application Study Bible - New Living Translation.

TIME

Our physical world has four known space-time dimensions of length, width, height (or depth) and time. However, God dwells in a different realm—the spirit realm—beyond the perception of our physical senses. It’s not that God isn’t real; it’s a matter of His not being limited by the physical laws and dimensions that govern our world (Isaiah 57:15). Knowing that “God is spirit” (John 4:24), what is His relationship to time?

In Psalm 90:4, Moses used a simple yet profound analogy in describing the timelessness of God: “To you, a thousand years is like the passing of a day or like a few hours in the night.” (NCV) The eternity of God is contrasted with the temporality of man. Our lives are but short and frail, but God does not weaken or fail with the passage of time.

Though we cannot possibly comprehend this idea of eternity or the timelessness of God, we in our finite minds try to confine an infinite God to our time schedule. Those who foolishly demand that God operate according to their time frame ignore the fact that He is the “High and Lofty One . . . who lives forever” (Isaiah 57:15).

Again, because of our finite minds, we can only grasp the concept of God’s timeless existence in part. And in so doing, we describe Him as a God without a beginning or end, eternal, infinite, everlasting, etc. Psalm 90:2 declares, “From everlasting to everlasting You are God” (see also Psalm 93:2). He always was and always will be.

 

Our understanding of time itself or in relation to Almighty God, becomes far too nebulous to grasp. In other words, it is “vague” ... “Lacking definite form or limits”.

 

What are some famous quotes regarding “time” ... 

 

“The only reason for time is so everything doesn’t happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

 

“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you can’t get more time.” - Jim Rohn

 

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” - Michael Altshuler

 

            Is time something real or is it in actuality something that is inexplicable. We know that whatever time is, it never stops, in that the hands on the proverbial clock never stop moving. “Time (& Tide) waits for no man.” (Saint Mahler, AD 1225) We’ve been conditioned, based on what we’ve been taught, that we are allotted 24 hours in a unit of time referred to a ‘one day’. An hour is comprised of 60 whole minutes. Unless we are in prison or have an incurable disease, for example, we can spend our ‘time’ as we please. People are traditionally prone to wasting time as realized with statements such as, “where did all the time go?” Some folks are organized, even regimented in the way they attack any given day; but then there are the folks that lead rather serendipitous lives, unaware of time and not caring. 

I suppose it all depends on what you’ve been taught growing up and what you end up believing. Time is a commodity that once it is spent cannot ever be retrieved. It is gone like a coin you’ve lost down a sewage drain. Time. 

 

In His Name and for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: www.biblegateway.com; https://grammarbrain.com/time-waits-for-no-man/; & https://www.gotquestions.org/God-time.html

(NCV - New Century Version)                

                  

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: Keys to Achieving it.

Key #6: Choose your friends carefully

 

The people we spend time with tend to influence our thinking and, subsequently, our actions. While we can’t control who we will meet in public or who we will work with in our jobs, we can decide who we will be with during our free time. Addressing this concept, Solomon wrote: “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26).

In the first century, Paul reiterated this timeless principle: “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). He also wrote that we should “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11). Expounding this point, Paul taught, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

On the positive side, when we fellowship with people who share our religious values, it encourages us to remain faithful to God. When we are together, we have the opportunity to “stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). This is why fellowship with believers was such an important principle during the founding of the Church of God (Acts 2:42) and why it continues to be important for us to practice today.

When we fellowship with believers, we grow in our love and respect for each other and God. As John explained, “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

 

Key #7: Learn from your mistakes

 

The cold, hard truth is that all of us have made mistakes and will make mistakes. This is repeated multiple times in the Bible. 

In his dedication prayer for the temple Solomon noted, “There is no one who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46; 2 Chronicles 6:36). In the book of Ecclesiastes, he similarly said: “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Later, Paul explained, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

The question is not whether we will sin. That is a given. What is important is what we will do after we sin. God’s desire is for us to repent of our ungodly acts and to return to living as He commands. Commenting on the tenacity we need to have in the face of mistakes, Solomon noted: “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity” (Proverbs 24:16). The point is, we need to keep getting back up whenever we fall. And we need to learn from our mistakes, so we don’t fall again or at least not as often.

This concludes the study on obtaining and growing in spiritual discernment. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/

 

 

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: Keys to Achieving it.

Key #5: Practice making good judgments

 

When athletes want to become good at their sport, they practice, using the best techniques. And in most cases, they practice a lot! Generally speaking, the more they practice, the better they become. Perfect practice makes perfect performance. This point likewise applies if we want to develop spiritual discernment. We can’t just read about or think about discernment. We have to actually do it!

The author of the book of Hebrews illustrates this point: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

 

Understanding head-based & heart-based decision-making styles. 

 

Researchers have found that when making judgments, most humans have an innate preference for making either head-based or heart-based decisions. People who generally make head-based decisions are often described as logical, rational, detail-oriented and objective. People who more often make heart-based decisions are thought of as emotional, passionate, empathetic, and feeling-oriented.

Both preferences have strengths and weaknesses. Head-based decision making is often strong in terms of following rules but can unnecessarily hurt people’s feelings. Heart-based decision making generally relates well to people but can overlook important rules or principles.

The best decisions are usually made using a combination of both types of judgment. This kind of judgment respects both truth and love. We should never compromise God’s truth out of an attempt to show love to others. And we should never use truth to unnecessarily hurt others. Reflecting this point, Paul admonishes us to speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

Next up we’ll be looking at the final two Keys, 6 & 7. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com

 

 

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: Keys to Achieving it.

Key No.4: Hate what God hates; love what God loves

At creation, mankind was made in God’s image, and God’s desire is for us to eventually become like Him as members of His eternal family. Paul explained that God has called us to be “conformed to the image of His Son,” and that the end result of this process is that our bodies will be “conformed to His glorious body” (Romans 8:29; Philippians 3:21).

With this concept in mind, Paul admonished the Corinthians: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Imitating God is how we become more like God, and the more we are like God, the better our spiritual discernment becomes. As we grow in discernment, our values, our thinking, and our judgment become more and more like God’s.

 

So what should we imitate about God?

 

A good place to start is by hating what God hates and loving what God loves. Please note that God loves people and wants everyone to be in His family, but He also hates sin because of the toll it takes upon humans (John 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 6:23).

So what does the Bible reveal regarding things God hates? The list is quite extensive, but here are a few types of conduct that God loathes—some of which He even describes as abominations: false worship (Deuteronomy 12:31; 16:22), divorce (Malachi 2:16), humans eating unclean meats (Leviticus 11:11), cross dressing (Deuteronomy 22:5), businessmen cheating others (Proverbs 11:1), lying (Proverbs 12:22), and the way of the wicked (Proverbs 15:9).

For seven more things God hates, see Proverbs 6:16-19. Capping off this point, Psalm 97:10 says, “You who love the LORD, hate evil!”

 

And what does God love?

 

He loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). He appreciates our heartfelt prayers (Revelation 5:8). He is pleased to see us do good and share with others (Hebrews 13:16), and He will take pleasure in inviting the saints into His Kingdom (Luke 12:32).   

Amos the prophet summarized this key as he succinctly admonished the people of his day: “Hate evil, love good” (Amos 5:15). This advice is also valid today.

            Next we’ll continue with the 7 Keys to Spiritual Discernment by looking at Key No. 5. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com

 

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: Keys to Achieving it.

Key No. 2: Asking God for Help - Realizing that we don’t inherently know all that we need to know is another fundamental principle for developing spiritual discernment. Today’s popular mantras to simply follow your heart or to look inside yourself for answers to life’s questions are not biblically correct.

Early in his reign King Solomon said: “Now O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. … Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:7, 9).

His words “pleased the LORD,” and God gave Solomon what he had requested (verses 10, 12). When Solomon recorded some of the wisdom God had given him, he twice in the book of Proverbs noted that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).

Echoing our need for help, Jeremiah told God: “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Later, the prophet added: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9).

And the psalmist requested of God: “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments” (Psalm 119:66). We can do the same. We can ask God for spiritual discernment and know that Jesus promised, “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22). Understand that the above verse is presuming that your requests will be anchored in the will of God. If what you ask is in the will of God for you then you shall have it.

 

Key No.3: Seek counsel - Seeking advice from people who have knowledge and experience is another key that can help us make sound judgments. Wise King Solomon emphasized this point in several of his proverbs. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15). “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22).

Even though Solomon was granted so much wisdom and knowledge by God that rulers of other nations came to hear him (1 Kings 4:34; 10:4), he still recognized the value of seeking counsel from others; namely his father King David. David said to Solomon the following: “Observe the requirements of the Lord your God and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me.” ^{[1 Kings 2:3-4a]}

When we seek counsel, we should do so from people who have the knowledge, experience, and wisdom to properly advise us. Just talking with our friends—who may not have the necessary expertise to provide sound counsel—is unlikely to always provide wise answers and good results.

Next we’ll continue with the 7 Keys to Spiritual Discernment by looking at Key No. 4. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: Keys to Achieving it.

Having spiritual discernment is vitally important. Let’s look at seven keys for developing spiritual discernment.

 

Key No.1: Recognize that there are spiritual absolutes.

 

We must recognize that there are spiritual absolutes. This is fundamental for developing spiritual discernment. Absolutes are required in almost every walk of life, but when it comes to God’s laws and morality, many people want to decide for themselves what is right and wrong. They refuse to acknowledge that God has authority over our lives and that He gives us specific instructions that we are to always follow, regardless of the circumstances.

The truth is, with God there are also absolutes. The Bible clearly reveals what God expects His followers to do. Disobeying what God says to do is sin. Discernment means identifying opposites or contrasts such as clean/unclean, good/evil, right/wrong and obedience/disobedience.  

Having spiritual discernment requires us to make judgments. It is no surprise that people who don’t acknowledge God’s authority to set standards of conduct hate being judged. They don’t like anyone saying, or even quietly believing, that their conduct is wrong.

This sentiment was present in the men of Sodom as they accused Lot of “acting as a judge” when he tried to dissuade them of their ungodly intentions toward his visitors (Genesis 19:9). People today who reject God’s laws similarly accuse people of judging them if their ungodly deeds are not accepted and celebrated.

In today’s environment that is hostile toward God’s good and beneficial laws, many people cite Christ’s statement: “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). People who reject most of the Bible’s teachings sometimes cite this verse. And sometimes even people claiming to be Christians misunderstand what Christ was saying.

A careful reading of Matthew 7:1-3 reveals that Jesus was teaching His followers not to judge in a hypocritical manner. The principle He was teaching was that we need to first resolve our own faults before we try to help our brother resolve his. If we weren’t to judge at all, we couldn’t help our brother.

On another occasion, Jesus said it more clearly: “Judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24, emphasis added throughout).

 

            Next we will move on to Key No.2 - “Asking God for help”. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com

 

THE ARMOR OF GOD: The Sword of the Spirit

The phrase “sword of the Spirit” is found only once in Scripture, in Ephesians 6:17. The sword is one of the pieces of spiritual armor Paul tells the Ephesian Christians to put on as part of the “full armor of God” that will enable us to stand our ground against evil ^{(Ephesians 6:13)}.

The sword is both an offensive and defensive weapon used by soldiers or warriors. In this case it is a weapon belonging to the Holy Spirit. Swords were used to protect oneself from harm or to attack the enemy to overcome or kill him. In both cases it was necessary for a soldier to get rigid training on the proper use of the sword to get maximum protection. All Christian soldiers need the same rigid training to know how to properly handle the Sword of the Spirit, “which is the word of God.” The sword that Paul refers to here is the Holy Scriptures. We know from 2 Timothy 3:16–17 that the word of God is from the Holy Spirit and written by men. Since every Christian is in a spiritual battle with the satanic and evil forces of this world, we need to know how to handle the Word properly. Only then will it be an effective defense against evil, but it will also be an offensive weapon we use to “demolish strongholds” of error and falsehood ^{(2 Corinthians 10:4–5)}.

God refers to His Word as a sword in Hebrews 4:12. Here the Word is described as living and active and sharper than a double-edged sword. The Roman sword was commonly made in this manner. The fact that it had two edges made it easier to penetrate, as well as to cut in every way. The idea is that of piercing or penetrating; the Word of God reaches the “heart,” the very center of action, and lays open the motives and feelings of those it touches.

The purpose of the sword of the Spirit—the Bible—is to make us strong and able to withstand the evil onslaughts of Satan, our enemy ^{(Psalm 119:11, 33–40, 99–105)}. The Holy Spirit uses the power of the Word to save souls and then to give them spiritual strength to be mature soldiers for the Lord in fighting this corrupt and evil world we live in. The more we know and understand the Word of God, the more useful we will be in doing the will of God and the more effective we will be in standing against the enemy of our souls.

This concludes our study of the Armor of God. I hope you found it interesting and helpful in your walk with the Lord. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/sword-of-the-Spirit.html

 

THE ARMOR OF GOD: The Helmet of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17 instructs us to put on the whole armor of God and to “take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” When a soldier suited up for battle, the helmet was the last piece of armor to go on. It was the final act of readiness in preparation for combat. A helmet was vital for survival, protecting the brain, the command station for the rest of the body. If the head was badly damaged, the rest of the armor would be of little use.

The assurance of salvation is our impenetrable defense against anything the enemy throws at us. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” ^{(Matthew 10:28)}. The idea in this verse is that, as we prepare for Satan’s attacks, we must grab that helmet and buckle it on tightly. Salvation is not limited to a one-time act of the past or even a future hope. God’s salvation is an ongoing, eternal state that His children enjoy in the present. It is daily protection and deliverance from our sin nature and Satan’s schemes.

Because of the power of the cross, our enemy no longer has any hold on us ^{(Romans 6:10; 8:2; 1 Corinthians 1:18)}. He knows that, but he also knows that most of God’s children do not know that—or, at least, they do not live as if they know. We must learn to keep our helmets buckled so that his fiery missiles do not lodge in our thoughts and set us on fire. Through this helmet of salvation, we can “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ” ^{(2 Corinthians 10:5)}.

There are several actions a believer can take to keep this helmet fastened and functioning:

 

1. Renew our minds. Our minds are battlefields. The outcomes of those battles determine the course of our lives. Romans 12:1–2 instructs us to renew our minds by allowing the truth of God’s Word to wipe out anything contrary to it. Old ideas, opinions, and worldviews must be replaced. We must allow God’s truth to continually wash away the world’s filth, lies, and confusion from our minds and adopt God’s perspective.

 

2. Reject doubts that arise from circumstances. Human beings are sensory creatures. What we cannot fathom with our five senses, we tend to disregard. If we allow them to, circumstances may convince us that God does not really love us or that His Word is not true. It is impossible to have faith and doubt at the same time. God rewards our faith. With the helmet of salvation firmly in place, we can choose to believe what appears impossible ^{(Hebrews 11:6; 1 Peter 1:8–9)}.

 

3. Keep an eternal perspective. When life crashes in around us, we must remember to look up. Our salvation is the most precious gift we have received. Keeping our eyes on that can help us weather life’s storms. We can choose to live our lives by the motto: “If it doesn’t have eternal significance, it’s not important” ^{(see Matthew 6:20; 1 Corinthians 3:11–13)}.

4. Remember that victory is already accomplished. When we consider ourselves “dead to sin but alive to God” ^{(Romans 6:11)}, we eliminate many of the opportunities Satan uses to entrap us. When choosing sin is no longer an option for us because we recognize ourselves to be “new creatures” ^{(2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 3:9)}, we effectively cut off many avenues of failure.

5. Find all our hope in Him. Psalm 73:25 says, “Whom have I in heaven but You? Besides you, I desire nothing on earth.” Our helmet is most effective when we treasure what it represents. The salvation Jesus purchased for us cannot share the place of importance in our hearts with earthly things. When pleasing the Lord is our supreme delight, we eliminate many of Satan’s lures and render his evil suggestions powerless.

 

As we wear the helmet of salvation every day, our minds become more insulated against the suggestions, desires, and traps the enemy lays for us. We choose to guard our minds from excessive worldly influence and instead think on things that honor Christ ^{(Philippians 4:8)}. In doing so, we wear our salvation as a protective helmet that will “guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” ^{(Philippians 4:7; cf. Isaiah 26:3; 1 Peter 1:5)}.

Up next we take a look at the sword of the Spirit. It is the only offensive weapon we are given to combat evil forces. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/helmet-of-salvation.html. 

THE ARMOR OF GOD: The Shield of Faith

The shield of faith is part of the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10–17. After summarizing the gospel and giving the Ephesians various instructions, Paul concludes his letter to them saying, in part, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” ^{(Ephesians 6:10–11)}. About the shield, Paul writes, “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” ^{(verse 16)}. The ESV puts it this way: “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”

The Roman shield of the time was called a ‘scutum’. This type of shield was as large as a door and would cover the warrior entirely. Such a shield was not just defensive but could also be used to push opponents. When fighting as a group, a phalanx* of soldiers could position their shields so as to form an enclosure around themselves, called a ‘testudo’ (“tortoise”). This was especially helpful to protect against arrows launched from the walls of cities they were attacking. Shields, often made of wood and then covered in hide, when wet, could extinguish flaming arrows.

Clearly, a shield is vitally important to a soldier. It provides a blanket of protection. It is meant to be taken up in all circumstances. It is the first barrier against the enemy’s attack. Often, shields were painted with identifying marks; a Christian who takes up the shield of faith identifies himself as a foot soldier who serves the Commander of the Lord’s army**.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Verse 6 stresses the importance of faith: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Satan’s attacks can sometimes cause us to doubt God. Faith prompts us to believe God. We give in to temptation when we believe what it has to offer is better than what God has promised. Faith reminds us that, though fulfillment of God’s promise may not be readily visible to us, God is true to His Word. When Satan attempts to plague us with doubt or entice us with instant gratification, faith recognizes the deceptiveness of his tactics and quickly extinguishes the arrows. When Satan accuses us, faith chooses to believe that Jesus has redeemed us and that there is no more condemnation ^{(Romans 8:1, 34; Revelation 12:10–12)}.

Faith is one of the greatest gifts ^{(1 Corinthians 13:13)}, and it is the means by which we receive grace and come into right relationship with God ^{(Ephesians 2:8–9)}. It is because we have been justified through faith that we belong to God and have peace with Him ^{(Romans 5:1)}. Faith is the doorway to hope in God ^{(Romans 5:2)}.  Because we have faith in God, our suffering need not faze us; in fact, we can persevere under it ^{(Romans 5:3–5)}. The things Satan attempts to use to discourage us can actually become tools in the hands of God.

All believers have this promise: “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” ^{(1 John 5:4)}. Faith is a protective barrier between us and the schemes of Satan. When we believe God and take Him at His word, we remain grounded in truth, the lies of the enemy lose their power, and we become overcomers. In that way, faith is our shield.

Up next we will take a look at the Helmet of Salvation. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/shield-of-faith.html

* A formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears, developed by Philip II of Macedonia, and used by Alexander the Great.

** The commander of the army of the LORD is said to be an angel of the Lord.   The army of the Lord was an angelic host, whose presence would assure victory.

 

THE ARMOR OF GOD: “...feet fitted with the gospel of peace.”

 

Ephesians 6:11–17 instructs believers in Christ to “put on the whole armor of God” as a defense against Satan’s attacks. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Verse 15 says, “And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” The New Living Translation words it this way: “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.” The gospel of peace is the message that Jesus gave to those who trust in Him ^{(John 14:27; Romans 10:15)}. It comes with the assurance from God that we are His children, and nothing can snatch us out of His hands ^{(John 10:29; 1 John 5:13)}. It outlines clearly what is required to become a child of God ^{(1 Corinthians 15:1–6; John 1:12; Romans 10:8–10)}. Any other message is a false gospel.

The word ‘readiness’ implies constant vigilance. A victorious soldier had to be prepared for battle. He had to have studied his enemy’s strategy, be confident in his own strategy, and have his feet firmly planted so that he could hold his ground when the attacks came. A soldier’s battle shoes were studded with nails or spikes, like cleats, to help him keep his balance in combat. He knew that, if he lost his footing and went down, it wouldn’t matter how great the rest of his armor was; the enemy had him. When we are ready with the gospel of peace, we live with the understanding that we are continually under attack from Satan. Second Timothy 4:2 says to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.”

The “peace shoes” that God supplies His soldiers have two purposes: defensive and offensive. In order to defend ourselves against the “flaming arrows of the evil one” ^{(Ephesians 6:16)}, we must have confidence of our position in Christ. We must stand firm in the truth of God’s Word, regardless of how terrifying the circumstances may be ^{(1 John 5:14)}. We must understand grace without abusing it ^{(Romans 6:1–6)}, remember that our position in Christ is not based on our own abilities or worthiness ^{(Titus 3:5)}, and keep our belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness securely fastened ^{(2 Timothy 1:12)}.

When Satan attacks with a flaming missile of doubt, such as “If God really loved you, He wouldn’t have let this happen,” we dig our peace shoes into the turf of God’s Word and reply, “It is written: All things work together for the good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose” ^{(Romans 8:28)}. When Satan stabs from behind with “Remember what you did?” we dig in more deeply and reply, “It is written: If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” ^{(1 John 1:9)}.

In addition to standing our ground, shoes are also for moving. God expects us to go on the offensive and take the gospel of peace to others. First Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Sharing our faith is one of the best ways to maintain our own sure footing. God knows that, when we are active in speaking of Him to others, we not only charge into Satan’s territory, but we dig our shoes more deeply into truth and will be much harder to dislodge. When we have “studied to show ourselves approved unto God” ^{(2 Timothy 2:15)}, we are ready to stand firm in the gospel of peace no matter what the enemy brings against us ^{(2 Thessalonians 2:15).}

            Up next we’ll take a look at the shield of faith. Until then walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.gotquestions.org

THE ARMOR OF GOD: Breastplate of Righteousness

 

         Ephesians 6:11 challenges believers to “put on the whole armor of God” in order to stand firm against the attacks of our enemy, Satan ^{(2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:12)}. Verses 14 through 17 say, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

            The imagery is of an armed Roman or Israelite soldier, prepared for battle. A typical armed soldier wore a breastplate made of bronze or chain mail. It covered the vital organs, namely, the heart, and was fitted with loops or buckles that attached it to a thick belt. If the belt was loosened, the breastplate slipped right off.

When Paul compares the armor of God with military gear, each piece represents a part of God’s strength that He extends to us when we become His children. The breastplate of righteousness refers to the righteousness purchased for us by Jesus at the cross ^{(2 Corinthians 5:21)}. At salvation, a “breastplate” is issued to each repentant sinner. It is specially designed by God to protect our heart and soul from evil and deception. Our own righteous acts are no match for Satan’s attacks ^{(Isaiah 64:6)}. The breastplate of righteousness has Christ’s name stamped on it, as though He said, “Your righteousness isn’t sufficient to protect you. Wear mine.”

We are instructed to “put on” this armor, which implies that we do not automatically wear it all the time. Putting on the armor of God requires a decision on our part. To put on the breastplate of righteousness, we must first have the belt of truth firmly in place. Without truth, our righteousness will be based upon our own attempts to impress God. This leads to legalism or self-condemnation ^{(Romans 8:1)}. We choose instead to acknowledge that, apart from Him, we can do nothing ^{(John 15:5)}. We see ourselves as “in Christ” and that, regardless of our failures, His righteousness has been credited to our account.

We “put it on” by seeking God and His righteousness above everything else ^{(Matthew 6:33)}. We make Him and His ways our dwelling place ^{(Psalm 91:1)}. We delight in His commands and desire for His ways to become our ways ^{(Psalm 37:4; 119:24, 111; Isaiah 61:10)}. When God reveals an area of change to us, we obey and allow Him to work in us. At the point where we say “no” to God, we open a little crack in the armor where Satan’s arrows can get through ^{(Ephesians 6:16)}.

As we wear Christ’s breastplate of righteousness, we begin to develop a purity of heart that translates into actions. Wearing this breastplate creates a lifestyle of putting into practice what we believe in our hearts. As our lives become conformed to the image of Christ ^{(Romans 8:29)}, our choices become more righteous, and these godly choices also protect us from further temptation and deception ^{(Proverbs 8:20; Psalm 23:3)}.

When armor is abused or worn incorrectly, it can malfunction. Likewise, there are several factors that can interfere with the effectiveness of our spiritual breastplate. Carelessness ^{(1 Peter 5:8)}, unbelief ^{(Hebrews 3:12)}, abusing grace ^{(Romans 6:1–2)}, or disobedience ^{(1 John 3:4; Hebrews 4:6)} can hinder our ability to stand firm and defeat the enemy in our lives. When we tolerate sin, refuse to forgive ^{(2 Corinthians 2:10–11)}, rely on personal righteousness ^{(Titus 3:5)}, or allow earthly concerns to crowd out time for an intimate relationship with God, we, in effect, take off the breastplate of righteousness, minimizing its power to protect us.

We need our breastplate of righteousness in place in order to gain the victory specified in 2 Corinthians 10:5: “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” When we quickly reject heretical ideas, idolatry, and the “counsel of the ungodly” ^{(Psalm 1:1)} and instead “keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” ^{(Hebrews 12:2)}, we keep our breastplate securely fastened.

Up next we will take a look at “feet fitted with the Gospel of peace”. Until then walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/breastplate-of-righteousness.html

THE ARMOR OF GOD: The Belt of Truth

The belt of truth is the first piece of the “full armor of God” to be listed in Ephesians 6:10–17. The passage begins with a warning from the apostle Paul to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” This is the key to understanding the armor of God. All the pieces of the armor belong to God and come from Him. Truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, and salvation—all are gifts of God to His people for their defense. All except “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” ^{(verse 17)} which is the only offensive weapon mentioned. All are designed to help us “stand against the schemes of the devil” ^{(verse 11)}. The belt of truth is the first part of the armor listed because, without truth, we are lost, and the schemes of the devil will surely overpower us.

            It is fitting that the belt of truth is the first piece of the whole armor of God. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” ^{(John 14:6)}, and it is only through Him that we come to God. Therefore, truth is of the utmost importance in the life of a Christian. Without truth, the rest of the armor would be of no use to us because we would not have the Spirit of truth ^{(John 15:26)}.

            In referring to the whole armor of God, Paul invokes the image of a soldier ready for battle. The belt of a Roman soldier in Paul’s day was not a simple leather strap such as we wear today. It was a thick, heavy leather and metal band with a protective piece hanging down from the front of it. The belt held the soldier’s sword and other weapons. The belt of truth of the spiritual armor holds the sword of the Spirit, linking truth and the Word of God (cf. John 17:17). The Word of God is truth.

            Depending on the translation of Ephesians 6:14, we are to fasten the belt of truth around us ^(ISV), buckle the belt around our waists ^(NIV), gird our waists with truth ^(NKJV), or gird our loins with truth ^(NASB). No matter the wording, we are to actively lay hold of the truth and use it. The belt of truth is a crucial piece of defensive armor guarding our inmost being in the battle against the lies and deceptions of the enemy. Without an understanding of truth, we are left vulnerable to being “carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14). The belt of truth protects us and prepares us for the battle that is part of every Christian’s life.

            Up next we will take a look at the “breastplate of righteousness”. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/belt-of-truth.html

ISV = International Standard Version

NIV = New International Version

NKJV = New King James Version

NASB = New American Standard Bible

LEAD WITH LOVE: 1st Corinthians 13:4-7

                  You will notice with these few verses that Paul points out positive and negative traits. God’s whole point is that everything we say and do should come from a position of love. Those characteristics that have a negative connotation shouldn’t be a part of a believer’s life. The apostle also points out that while spiritual gifts are very important part of a believer’s life, they are not nearly as important as having a foundational base of love. Not just any love ... Christ-like love, which is defined in verses 4-7. 

                  To be separate from the world, we must bury our old man and hone in on the finer points of being a Christian by searching the scriptures. We shouldn’t avoid non-believers as long as we feel we can withstand the temptations from the old life that will come at us. 

                  When we lead with love we can influence our social circle for heaven. Worldly people must see a difference in us or their need for a Savior won’t register. We need not judge anyone, for God is the only one who is the judge. We are the loving conduits that God can use to present Godly living to the masses. Remember, God doesn’t NEED us, but rather has CHOSEN to use us for his own purposes. If we’re no different than anybody else then we are just treading water. 

                  Living a love-led life isn’t easy because we struggle with daily issues just like anyone else in the world.  The time we spend reading / studying God’s Word will make the difference. Remember, it’s NOT about us, but about those who are without Christ. Proceeding in humility is essential, along with a determined spirit to positively affect the world for the kingdom. Remember, we are truly nothing of any consequence this side of heaven. That which we achieve in this life means little also. Only that which is done for Christ will stand the test of time. The things of this world are temporal at best. 

                  Our pre-conceived thoughts and ideas about people due to their general appearance, voice or demeanor is not leading with love. That is the same old approach to life that we had prior to our conversion. 

                  Here are some scriptures to galvanize the teaching of love:

 

“Let all that you do be done in love.” _{[1 Corinthians 16:14]}

 

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” _{[1 John 4:7-8]}

 

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” _{[1 Peter 4:8]}

 

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,...”. _{[Ephesians 4:2]}

 

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” _{[John 14:15]}

 

“We love because he first loved us.” _{[1 John 4:19]}

 

Whatever you do in this life, lead with Christ-like love.

 

New study coming next. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible.

LEAD WITH LOVE: 1st Corinthians 13:5

“(Love) does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.”

 

            Let’s take a look at verse 5. What type of a person demands their own way. A manipulative person. Unhappy people are irritable. A person with a long, unforgiving memory keeps a mental record of every wrong that has been done to them. These are all traits that should never be found in Christians. Yes, we are human, just like the unsaved, but as believers we’re supposed to shun self-serving characteristics in favor of humble, selfless one’s that will definitely set us apart from the societal norm. 

            There are folks that will act in an ugly way and proclaim “that’s just the way I’m wired” as if they cannot control their own emotions and subsequent actions. There’s a good chance they simply have no interest in using self-control; however, self-control is something that SHOULD be seen in Christians. 

            As a loving Christian, we are supposed to follow Jesus’ example. Seeing others the same way God sees them. How does God look at you? With unconditional love.  He has eyes that see what we can be and will be if we concede to leading of the Holy Spirit. God is so close to us that he is IN us in the person of the Holy Spirit. He can’t get any closer than that. 

            As a human being, whether godly or not, we all become irritable from time to time. Paul, though, is referencing a person who is irritable ALL THE TIME over every situation. This type of person always sees the glass half empty, instead of half full. They see trouble around every corner. They constantly make a MOUNTAIN out of a molehill. This behavior has no place in a believer’s life. When we LEAD with love, others become more important to us then our own wants or needs. We get amnesia when it comes to recalling past hurtful events. We live each day with a smile in spite of obstacles that may be concerning us. We need to tell ourselves that no matter how bad things may get, things could always be worse. Sure, they could be better, but they could absolutely be a whole lot worse. 

            Christians often times combat fear and worry by remembering the fact that God is over all and in utter and complete control over all things. He either causes or allows everything in the universe for his own purposes. Negative thoughts and words, when left unchecked, can become a road to full blown depression. Whether saved or not, this can be avoided by shifting our focus. Instead of looking at our surroundings, we must keep our focus squarely on Christ. Our surroundings are fluid, for they regularly change; Christ does not. 

            Next we will continue our look at 1^st Corinthians 13. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible