111 Be Prepared

Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!

The words were never meant to glorify physical warfare. They were written for children to sing and move in an orderly fashion. The hymn gained wider popularity when Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame) composed the stirring tune “St. Gertrude” in 1871. Sullivan’s bold, marching melody gave the hymn its unmistakable character and helped it spread rapidly across churches, schools, and missionary movements around the world.

It has been criticised for its militant music and words but it echos the words in Ephesians:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Often our circumstances are hard to handle, we pray for relief from health, financial and relationship difficulties and pains.  These things are very real and unavoidable. Many Christians in some parts of the world experience real physical dangers and threats including persecution and discrimination. Many of us deal with dismissal or even scorn. It seems too much, at times, to cope with our almost daily struggle against these things, these struggles against flesh and blood.

All this is what to expect in a world where sin is so well established, where the god of this world has such an impact on the minds of humans. We are urged to be prepared, prepared for response to the evil that causes the evil, against the powers of this dark world.

We can take action against warmongers, thieves, murderers but why do they do this harm and hurt? Because they are driven by the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

These were the forces that arranged to crucify Jesus. These were the forces whose efforts were nullified and defeated by Jesus.

This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. (Acts 2:23-24)

‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ‘ (Acts 2:38)

Paul started his letter to the Ephesians encouraging us to celebrate with thanksgiving for marvellous spiritual blessings of infinite and eternal wonder and power. He ends urging us to respond with spiritual means and those spiritual blessings to spiritual powers.

Jesus is the Lord of lords and King of kings. He rules the universe from his place at the right hand of God. He will return with his full power in a final battle but even now must be regarded as the victor. So we are called on to respond to these evil forces as followers of this victor. We are marching as to war with the victorious cross of Jesus always in our sight because it is going on before us!

Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round 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. (Ephesians 6:13-17)

As Christian soldiers we take our stand against these spiritual forces with the means, the armour with which we have been provided.

To stand against the father of lies we take a belt of truth. To stand for Jesus is to take the way, the truth and the life surrounded by deceit, manipulation and sometimes threats.

Who can bring any charge against you when it is God himself who declares you to be without sin? Cover yourself with the breastplate of the righteousness granted to you through the sacrifice of Jesus. If God says you are clear then anyone who says otherwise is a liar.

Take the gospel of peace, the good news about Jesus. You can be quite sure about that. Take it and share it with confidence and you can become sure-footed when confronted.

We know that confrontation will come by way of attacks of various sorts and we will need to hold fast to what we know is true. We shield ourselves from such attacks with a shield in the form of faith, our confidence and assurance given by the Holy Spirit.

We know that Jesus has saved us, that his act of great love and grace rescues us, gives us eternal life and entry into the kingdom of heaven. We are given a helmet of salvation.

With this armour we defend ourselves and as a result we stand firm before the enemy and then we have the part of the armour with which we can attack, the inspired scriptures, the Holy Bible with which we confront the errors of the evil one.  Picture it as a sword, the sword of the Spirit, the very word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:18-20)

We often find it hard to pray. We often find prayer hard to understand. At those times it is even more important that we call on the Holy Spirit to help us to pray or simply to pray for us. Difficult though it may be, still, our help comes from the helper who will help us to pray on all occasions - not just at regular times but all all times, with thanksgiving. You will need to pray for yourself and for all the Lord’s people.

Look out! Be alert! Pray for protection for yourself and for others.  There is a spiritual battle going on and you will need to respond continually.

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. (Ephesians 6:21-22)

Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians to encourage them to know their blessings and to stand against error. He gave them an example by praying even though he was chained and locked up in a Roman jail.  His concern for them was personal, as it was for his fellow workers. He sent some of them to Ephesus with personal news and for their encouragement.

He sends them and us a greeting of peace and love and encourages us to love our Lord Jesus Christ with complete and undying love.

Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. (Ephesians 6:23-24)