Armor for Everyone, Everything, and Everywhere
In the first century, Roman armor would have been made of metal and treated leather. Today, we might imagine a soldier or police officer's bulky tactical gear with bulletproof vests and helmets. Not many of us wear this kind of head-to-toe protective gear before heading out in the morning.
But the Bible urges us to consider spiritual armor essential. Why?
Because unseen spiritual adversaries exist, and we're vulnerable to their attacks. Here are two vital things to notice about our "armor."
First, God is the one who gives us armor. It's the armor of God. We can't possibly protect ourselves from spiritual attacks. But God supplies all we need.
Second, we don't put on our armor or fight alone. The mental image of the lone soldier standing in an arena against an enemy is not what Paul has in mind. The instructions to put on spiritual armor aren't given to you, the individual—they're given to all of us, together, who make up the church.
We all suit up together in God's armor, and we stand, pray, praise, and defend… together.
God graciously gives us armor so that when we experience a spiritual attack, we will stand and fight by His strength. Today, imagine standing strong in God's protective armor. How might this imagery influence how you endure and remain resilient in the face of spiritual battles and uncertainties?
Faith Begins By Hearing
Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” (NLT)
Everyone who follows Jesus first heard the Good News somewhere. At some point, in some way, the message of Jesus reached them.
The apostle Paul wrote these words in a letter to believers in Rome as he explained how people come to faith. Faith begins when the Good News about Jesus is heard. God uses the message of Christ to open the hearts of people everywhere with His beautiful invitation to new life.
But what makes this news so good?
Sometimes people hesitate to talk about faith because they have not fully discovered how good God truly is. Some imagine God as distant or angry, ready to judge. But that is not the God revealed through Jesus.
Jesus is compassionate. He knows every person, including you. He sees every story, including yours. He understands your fears, struggles, and burdens.
Jesus did not come to condemn the broken. He came to carry judgment on Himself, to ...