ALL IN ALL

We often sing songs about Jesus being our everything. It’s even more interesting when you think about him in relation to the armor of God we have been studying.

When Paul says to put on the breastplate of righteousness, we may think we need to be more righteous in our actions. But he also says in 1 Corinthians, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” So Jesus is our righteousness.

When Paul says to put on the shield of faith, we may think we need to muster up more faith (essentially loyalty to someone) in ourselves. But in Psalms 91 it says, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”  So His faithfulness enables our faith, not the other way around.

When Paul says to put on the helmet of salvation, again, it sounds like there is something we must do. But as Pastor Mark pointed out this past Sunday in Isaiah, “The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head.”

As much as we try, there is NOTHING we can do. Our righteousness is as filthy rags. His righteousness is a gift. His salvation is a gift. His faithfulness is a gift. The sword of the Spirit is a gift. We as a group of followers need only humbly open our hands and receive what is available to us. He is truly our all in all.