Day: December 16, 2011

The book of Ephesians gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the  New Testament (N.T).

The book of Ephesians is well known for its reference to the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), but close introspection of this text in connection with other verses in the Bible, reveals that it is not just a spiritual armor that one must wholly put on, but a hidden treasure that Jesus Christ himself, is THE ARMOR OF GOD. Let us dive deep.

Ephesians 6:10-18 enlists the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes fitted with readiness for that which comes from the gospel of peace, shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, as the whole armor of God.

Belt of Truth:
Jesus said, I am the Way, the TRUTH and the Life in John 14:6. Jesus is the Truth that we must gird ourselves with.

Breastplate of Righteousness:
Jeremiah 23:5-6 refers to Jesus as a righteous Branch, a king who shall reign and prosper and execute judgment and justice in the earth. He will be called, The LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jesus is the righteousness of God that we must clothe ourselves with.

Shoes of the gospel of Peace:
Matthew 21:9 records that when Jesus rode into Jerusalem (meaning the abode/dwelling of Peace), the people sang, “Hosanna, Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”; in other words, Jesus came with the message of the gospel of peace and when he came to the place of peace, the people sang joyously blessing God. Jesus himself said, I have come to give you peace; peace, not as the world giveth, but a peace that passeth all understanding John14:27; Philippians 4:7). Jesus is peace.

Shield of Faith:
Jesus said, with faith you can do the impossible (Matthew 21:21; Mark 9:23). He also said that without Him, you can do nothing (John 15:5). Jesus is the Shield of Faith, by which we can protect ourselves against the fiery darts of the evil one.

Helmet of Salvation:
Jesus is the head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22) to be worn in and over (all) our mind. He is the one with a Name that is above all names, the Only name by which man can be Saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the Helmet of Salvation to be worn by us.

Sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God):
John 1:1 speaking about Jesus, highlights, that in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. Jesus is the word of God, the Sword of the Spirit.

In Ephesians, Jesus is the the armor of God that we ought to put on wholly.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (KJV)
¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
¹² 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.
¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;