AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Friday – November 5, 2021, Kislev 1, 5782
GIFTS – PART ONE HUNDRED-FOUR
ARMOR OF GOD – PART FORTY-SIX
Greetings precious saints of God, brothers and sisters, Kings and Priests in the Kingdom of God, Ambassadors and joint-heirs with Christ. Welcome back to our engaging, illuminating, and empowering study of “Gifts” including the current study of the “Armor of God”. Please take a moment and share these teachings as widely as possible to expand this Ministries reach with the good news. I have been laying an extensive and solid foundation for the actual discussion of the armor of God over many weeks. Everything we have been learning about a firm foundation for the use of the Armor of God is applicable to every area of our Christian walk for it has to do with holiness and sanctification. As we have a whole heart towards Him, we are walking with Him in the fullness of His wonderful plan for us and He shows Himself strong on our behalf. Now let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text continuing to read aloud.
Ephesians 6:5-9 (KJV)
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
What is our attitude when we go to work? Are we there solely to collect a paycheck and do as little as possible or are we there to serve others? The others we serve are the employers’ customers, the employer, but far and away most of all Christ Jesus. We must see our place of employment as an integral part of our assignments in the Kingdom of God and not some side gig. The same is true if we have made a commitment at Church. We are far too accustomed to having the focus on ourselves. Our focus is to serve, first the Lord and then others, not be served. This is true in the workplace and in the Church. How often have we heard people say on entering Church “I’m here to get a blessing?” What about being here to be a blessing? No, you are here to serve as the Lord directs your fellow man and most of all the Lord.
As we transition into verse nine, the Lord through the Apostle Paul deals with “masters” or employers. Let’s look at this ninth verse in two other translations to enhance our understanding.
Ephesians 6:9 (MSG)
9 Masters, it’s the same with you. No abuse, please, and no threats. You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven. He makes no distinction between you and them.
Ephesians 6:9 (NJB)
9 And those of you who are employers, treat your slaves in the same spirit; do without threats, and never forget that they and you have the same Master in heaven and there is no favouritism with him.
It is so easy to think that we are somehow a special case or more special than another person especially if that other person is not saved or is of a different denomination. Verse nine and other Scriptures tell us that our God is not a respecter of persons. We might be, but should not be, but He is not. The peasant (the poorest of the poor) and the billionaire answer for the same things to the same Lord who is just. Now, let’s look at verse ten and next week we will actually start dealing with the armor.
Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Notice the word ‘finally’, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul is getting ready to talk about the Armor of God now that a foundation has been laid. We are commanded to be strong in Him and in His Power. We must be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. What has preceded (chapter five and to this point in chapter six) is a part of what makes us strong in the Lord. Notice the wording in the Complete Jewish Bible translation.
Ephesians 6:10 (CJB)
10 Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength!
In union with Him nothing is impossible to us. Separated from Him nothing is possible.
Matthew 17:18-20 (KJV)
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
So, if it is not happening in your life or mine, it is because we are not in union with Him. Now, let’s not trot out a sacred cow, a tradition of men, or a doctrine of demons to explain the lack of manifestation.
John 15:5 (KJV)
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here next Friday.
2 Chronicles 20:20 b (KJV)
20 … Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Until our next publication, as your Bible Teacher and a Prophetic Voice in your life I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, doubt it not, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus’ name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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