In the Book of Ephesians, we are told this by Paul, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Paul is telling us to walk as the Lord did. In the power of his might means, in his ability, and his strength. We know that Jesus lived a sinless life while He was here on the earth. We should be striving to do better each day than the day before. As the obstacles we face sometimes cause us to fail, we have the Lord to go to and ask for forgiveness. We are battling a spiritual war against the rulers of darkness.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
Now, we will look at Ephesians 6:13-15, take a walk through the Bible, and see where the Spirit can take us. In a previous post, we covered where Jesus told the paralytic man to rise, take up his bed and walk. Peter also tells us in the Book of Acts, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Although, what Spiritual significance does this have? “And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed And he arose immediately.” Jesus tells us, “if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Are you beginning to see a connection there yet? Let’s tie this back into the verses we just looked at. Peter also tells us, “grid up the loins of your mind, and be sober.”
Paul tells us this as well, “for this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication.” Is the Bible telling us in a whole, and not just by looking at one verse here, or one verse there, that we shouldn’t be having sex? Yes. Now, we will look at these two verses even further, using the Strong’s Concordance. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Pay close attention to the highlighted words, read the translation, consider what is being said, and think upon all of the scriptures that we just looked at.
Here, once again, we are taught about abstinence. Paul tells us, put a girdle around our procreative power. How is that done, you may ask? By no longer having sex with your spouse. As Paul continues on he says, “keep on the garments of justification, and righteousness, by being innocent, holy, and equitable. “Be ye Holy, for I am Holy…” Let us look at these words below.
Are we told elsewhere within the New Testament this same principle? Yes, in numerous places. Let’s look at a few of them. “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness…” Notice how adultery and fornication are separated. “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” Once again, the word chambering means sex. So, to put it as plain as possible so that it even a child can understand it, if we are still having sex, or believe that we can still be having sex, we aren’t going to Heaven. “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Let us finish with the Triumphal entry of Jesus Christ in Mark 11. “And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.”
“Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.” “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments,” and his commandments are not burdensome. Stay in Him in all things and let your light shine before men.
Jonathan Heller – Lift Up A Banner
The Bible Unveiled 