In my last post I stepped back from the allegory of The Bridge from OneDayBow to consider the battle and the equipment from a Christian perspective. What the Bible has to say about the spiritual armor of God, or what we have been calling the equipment, is of great importance. Let’s take a minute to think about God’s incredible means of manning His Army, one born-again person at a time.

Before the equipping comes the recruitment, so to speak: God choosing to offer His salvation, and our acceptance of that free-gift through faith in Jesus Christ.

Do I know my salvation into God’s Kingdom of Light was a miracle? Oh, yeah! There was nothing in me, or in the world, that was going to make that happen apart from God. People who are entrenched in sin in this fallen world-system are certainly not knocking down the gates to get into Heaven! It’s not the natural inclination of earth-focused people to seek a God to whom they must be accountable. Salvation comes as Father God moves by His Spirit, convicting the world of sin and revealing the forgiveness that is available through (and because of) Jesus. The result of God’s drawing, when joined to an individual’s faith, is restored spiritual life! How wonderful is that?!

But what does that have to do with recruitment to God’s Army? Everything! In case you missed it, take a minute and reread the previous paragraph.  We who have been redeemed by Jesus’ blood are now soldiers for Christ! Does that seem like a pretty odd or unlikely way to advance the Kingdom of God? Does to me! And that is what makes this so perfect: God reveals Himself by His powerful Spirit in us and then by us! It’s His awesome work that is on display! I know you and me, and it is only because of God that we are made new and useful in His strength! He alone gets the credit, not us.

And how do you think the devil and his evil forces respond to God’s plan of redemption being played out in people’s lives? Mad? Determined to prevent another defection? Willing to fight? I think the answer to all those questions is a resounding, Yes! And while the thought of having a target on my back has never made me happy, there is consolation in remembering that this is an invisible enemy that I am totally incapable of battling in my own power. (Yes, that is a consoling thought!) Remember, we couldn’t even save ourselves. Fact is, this Kingdom advancement is impossible apart from God. And because we are His in Christ, we can trust that our lives are secure in His hands. (John 10:27-30) We are not made physically invincible, so don’t go out and try to play Rambo! But don’t doubt for a minute that He will hold firmly those that Christ has set free by His blood.

Having said all that, it’s important to note that the Lord does not eliminate the reality of the battle; He does not remove us from the conflict; and He certainly doesn’t tell us to run and hide! No, He directs us to stand and fight and enables us to do so in the strength of the Lord. Suffering will still happen in this life, some comes naturally and some is a result of being in God’s service. But empowered by Him we are enabled to stand, and we can understand why we need the equipment that is detailed in Ephesians 6:10-18. And that is where we will pick up next time.