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The Helmet of Salvation
The armor of God, found in Ephesians 6:14-18, is broken down into six distinct pieces of equipment. As a part of this protection, the Helmet of Salvation is given by God to His Christians. How do we put it on, and keep it on? In order to answer these questions, we must first ask why a helmet? The Roman military pragmatically designed their helmets to be easily identifiable, especially in the heat of battle. Also, a Roman soldier was meant…
The Shield of Faith
The Christian’s experience in this life can be pictured by the imagery of a three-fold cord comprised of strands identified as God, the person, and the community (Eccles. 4:9-12). When one becomes a Christian they become one with God and also a part of the body of Christ, which Scripture tells us is the church (Col. 1:24). Since the collective body is comprised of many individuals, it logically follows that the strength of the individual impacts the strength of the…
Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel
Before a soldier would ever lift his sword, he laced his sandals. For him, sure footing could be what turned the tide in the heat of battle. The shoes of the legionnaire did not fight the battle, nor did they have any offensive quality. They burrowed lightly into the dirt and helped the soldier to stand his ground. Paul writes to struggling Christians about their common goal: to win a spiritual war. This passage encourages believers to prepare for constant…
The Breastplate of Righteousness
In the daily spiritual battles we all face, God does not leave His people defenseless. The Apostle Paul urges believers to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). This armor is essential for every Christian engaged in the good warfare (1 Tim. 1:18). As Paul told Timothy, we must “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ,” refusing to become entangled in the affairs…
Girded with Truth
If forced to surrender one piece of armor, many would instinctively protect the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, or the sword of the Spirit. A belt might seem less vital as a disposable article of clothing. Yet Paul lists it as essential armor, underscoring its strategic importance in ancient Roman culture. Without the belt of truth firmly buckled, the other pieces shift and fail under pressure. Paul says we should “Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with…
Does God Exist? (1 Peter 3:15)
According to the Pew Research Center, the number of atheists in our country has doubled over the last 10 years. While they still only make up roughly 4% of Americans, there are countries in Europe where 1 in every 4 people deny the existence of God. These numbers do not even include agnostics (those who deny that we can know that God exists with certainty) or those who are “indifferent” on the matter. The point is, if we are to…
The Problem of Partiality (James 2:9)
“But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:9). Partiality is a sin. The Bible is clear on the subject, but…what is partiality? What does it look like, and if we struggle with it, how do we overcome it? Partiality is the attitude of unfair preference or approval towards someone. In James 2:1, some versions of the Bible will even use the phrase “personal favoritism” to describe this attitude of…
Every Congregation Needs a Bridge (Proverbs 11:14)
There is a chasm in the Lord’s church. A gap is seen as you walk through the doors of a church building. A divide is felt as one moves within the body of Christ, from worship, Bible studies, and fellowship. This division is not due to doctrine or differing opinions, but age. Older members tend to associate with other older members, while younger members often connect solely with their peers. Our youth meet for devotionals and family gatherings, while our…
Be Still and Know That I Am God (Psalm 46:10)
It began as a dark day in the history of God’s people. The Northern Tribes of Israel had already been destroyed and carried away, and now, the Assyrian army marched into Judah. King Sennacherib had his sights set on Jerusalem, the capital city. His armies conquered and destroyed until they had surrounded the city. In his own words, Sennacherib described the siege as having trapped King Hezekiah, much like a bird in a cage (2 Kings 19, Isaiah 36-37, Sennacherib’s…
Why are Worship and Bible Class Important? (Hebrews 2:1)
At the Southwest church of Christ, we meet every Sunday and Wednesday. On Sunday’s we have Bible class at 9:30 AM and Worship service at 10:30 AM & 6 PM. On Wednesdays, we meet for Bible study at 7:00 PM. I want to encourage us all to be at every single worship service and Bible class. It is so important that we all gather “every time the doors are open.” Why? Consider what the Hebrew writer said in Hebrews 2:1.…
Let Us Come Together!
According to John 17:20-23 one thing the Lord had on His mind during the ordeal of His death was our unity. Jesus wanted us to be united in purpose and in mind so that the world would look at us and know that the Father had sent the Son. Jesus knew the value of unity. He knew that a splintered body accomplishes nothing. He knew that the sense of community that is sewn into the fabric of fellowship would be…
Jesus Did What!? (John 13:5)
The tongue is one of the smaller yet stronger muscles in the human body. It is a muscle often described as “tiny but mighty.” Yes, from a physical standpoint, this is true… BUT this truth also applies to its Biblical application. To illustrate just how powerful the tongue is, James gives us three illustrations of objects in this world that are small but have a great impact and control. He uses the bridle to show how a small bit can…