Dressed for Success

Pentecost 14 – August 25, 2024

Joshua 24:1-2a
Psalm 34:15-22
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 6:56-69

It is fairly easy to think about our text from Ephesians today that it is all about God protecting us from the world. That, by wearing it, nothing bad will happen to us. But that is not at all what Paul is saying in this text. Instead, he is reminding us of the opposite. Bad things may happen to us – the armor is to help us to stand firm in the gospel when it happens. But Paul also indicates that this armor doesn’t “just happen.” It is another misunderstanding about this text. You are not automatically dressed in this armor by God. Paul tells us to put it on. I suppose to Lutherans this seems strange. To us, who talk about being saved by faith alone, being called to put on something sounds like works righteousness. Paul is not talking about your salvation. Paul is talking about your response to God’s salvation bought by the blood of Christ.

This armor is available, take it up. The belt of truth – Jesus who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The breastplate of righteousness of God’s call. Put on shoes that make you comfortable to proclaim the gospel whether it is telling the story of Jesus, doing the work of charity, working for justice and peace, or some other task that God calls you to. Take up the shield of faith knowing that whatever evil is thrown at you, you will be able to defeat it because you have the helmet of salvation. In all this, take up the most important part of that armor: the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God. This armor, then, is for you as you answer God's call to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus.

So how do we do this? Paul lifts up what is the first thing that we do – pray in the Spirit. It is interesting that he then reminds you always to pray for the saints. Paul's understanding of this term would be all Christians. This is the very basis for our armor. By talking with God we learn of God's call to us, God's plan for the world, and God's faithfulness to us. This is the armor – knowing that God has given us all that we need to perform the task God has called us to, the ability to do it, and the promise that, no matter what happens, we are always in God's care. The second way we take up the armor of God is by reading the Bible. As I have told you before there is not a correct way to read the Bible. Instead, there are a great variety of ways to read it. You can start at the beginning and read to the end. Although, I do not suggest that at least not at first. Although starting with Matthew and reading the four gospels first would be a good start. Then the rest of the New Testament. Or you can take one of the daily devotionals in the narthex. They give a verse or two of the Bible and a little devotion. In the bulletin is also a recommendation of lessons for each day of the week. It does not matter how you choose to read the Bible. What matters is that you do. Thirdly, that is what we do when we gather here on a Saturday and Sunday – read from the Bible and pray with the added benefit of being strengthened by the body and blood of our Lord Jesus. 

Take up the armor of God then. Take it up every day by spending a little time each day in Bible reading and prayer. Make that time important and a priority over everything else. For it is what centers your day and gives you the strength and stamina to always proclaim Jesus to all the world.