Ephesians 6: 13c-15 (First three elements of the holy armor)

            Summary:  This is it, the grand finale, Paul is setting up to end his letter and begins here with the Holy armor of God.  He says having done all to stand, even after everything is over, continue to stand in these things.  The first three pieces of the armor, as described by this text, are as follows: the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness, and the belt of truth.

            Note: Paul transfers in dramatic fashion into describing the armor.

Timeless Principle:  The first piece of armor mentioned here is the belt of truth.  The belt is essential for holding the rest of the armor together.  In the Greek this can be thought of as girding your loins.  In battle a soldier was susceptible to all kinds of danger because their garments would have been flailing about.  Truth is the belt that keeps our garments together and provides us with a way to stay together of sorts.  Truth is what blocks us from not listening to wisdom or not succumbing to authority.  This may lead one to ask a simple question.  What does this mean for me, what can I get by putting on truth in storing up the word in my heart and taking wisdom to heart such that I may be held together.  A word that must be defined to describe this product of applied truth is integrity.  Integrity, to be put as simply as possible, means that you stand strong against the schemes of the devil when and when you are not being watched.  The belt of truth is absolutely necessary when putting up a fight against sin when there isn’t anyone around to hold you accountable.  This is important!  How can we call ourselves real Christ followers if we don’t live in secret as we do in public?  The real battle begins when we are alone, if we are not grounded in truth then we will fall, it’s that simple.  Some men would say that truth is subjective that it changes with different people’s opinions that it is constantly moving.  This is a good argument but let us explore it more.  Truth is only truth if it is defined and centered on what causes truth.  Now this becomes antsy and confusing, so let us venture further into fully understanding this truth that defines all other truth.  What is it? Answer: Jesus Christ, the penniless preacher from Nazareth is in himself truth and all other truth is only true because he has made it true, so put on the truth that is found in Jesus.

The second piece of the armor is mentioned to be the breastplate of righteousness.   The breastplate is of dire importance to any good soldier, because it is the key protector of the vital organs, the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, etc.  The breastplate of righteousness and belt of truth are in a way tied together.  The breastplate is also heavily related to integrity.  The truth is what gives knowledge of the need for integrity whereas the breastplate is the physical application integrity, the action part so to speak.  Might we work to put on these things so that we can guard our hearts and minds from deceit.

The next thing mentioned here are the shoes of readiness.  This piece of armor is a little harder to comprehend.  Shoes by definition obviously protect the feet.  If a soldier were to leave his feet unguarded then his agility would be down leaving him susceptible to attack and making it harder for him to advance and continue to fight.  The shoes are described as being given by the Gospel of peace.  The peace that comes forth from the Gospel is essential because it is what comforts us as we willingly walk forth into trials and carry on into the hardest of trials.   It also provides us with the strength to carry on and joyfully obey, marching forth into the ways of the Lord.

My Prayer:  Father, I ask that these things would be taken to my heart.  To often I allow the things of this world to attack my heart because I don’t put on the breastplate of righteousness of wear the belt of truth.  My integrity is lacking, I confess how quickly am I do flee from righteousness alone or in my head.  I want to be a soldier for you, going forth willingly to joyfully do all that you call me to without complaint being like your son who cried out in torment in the garden that not his will be done but thine.  Father I’m crying out because I know this will be hard and I know I will not like it but the truth remains that I must willingly go into battle.  So provide me strength to do so.  Continue to bless ministries on this campus, and further.  Work in the hearts of those who have heard your word and have not understood it.  Father above all things may your will be done. In Christ’s name, Amen.