Ephesians 6:17. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
SALVATION AND THE WORD OF GOD. The first words of life to the darkened soul – awakened an interest in salvation. The convicting words of the Bible revealed the facts of salvation. The awareness of the consequences of sin made clear the need for salvation. The lack of righteousness in my life showed helplessness to earn salvation. The reality of judgment to come exposed the lack of salvation. The light of the Gospel and the Spirit of God brought salvation. Personal trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone – and God gave me salvation.
The helmet now covers the seat of the mind – salvation is mine. The hope that now governs the affairs of life – salvation lived daily. The seat of the intellect needs the covering of the helmet of salvation. The deliverance from the power of sin in life is because of the helmet of salvation. The present experience of the Lord’s deliverance – the helmet of salvation. The power to resist the spirit of the age – the helmet of salvation. Personal experience of the power of Christ in my life gives me the joy of salvation.
And so salvation, past, present, and yet to come, is made clear through the word of God. As each incident in life arises needing an answer, we take the sword of the Spirit. At the moment of a crisis, the right thing to do is answered by the sword of the Spirit. All testing times with us, as with the Lord, can be answered by the word of God. Actions needed to be taken appropriately; are directed by the sword of the Spirit. Accurate interpretations to be applied to a need are given by the sword of the Spirit. Personal application of divine truth in my life is made by the sword of the Spirit.
“I have experienced in many ways the blessings of salvation, Father, and also the wonderful blessing of having the word of God to apply in each situation and decision in my life. I have experimentally learned that this is the only way to deal with the subtlety of the devil's wiles – by being guarded in the mind by the helmet of salvation, and properly using the sword of the Spirit, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Praying in the Spirit is where the power for victory comes. There is divine authority when the Holy Spirit responds to the requests of the saints. We are able to avoid surprise attacks when we pray always; when we are in conscious, constant communication with God. Praying in the Spirit is not a selfish way of prayer. It is submitting to the will of God in each situation when we are always praying with all our hearts. Appropriate praying knows when supplication, intercession, or thanksgiving is the right prayer for the moment of need. Watching in prayer seems like our eyes should be open to use our common sense as well as our senses. That will help keep us from stopping our praying because our concern will be genuine. Prayer should be our habitual response to every situation. When I pray for all saints, not only does it help another to stand, but it also helps me as well. Prayer for others should include those in difficulty, those who preach, and those who are being persecuted for the sake of the Gospel.
Ephesians 6: 18. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
PRAYING AND WATCHING. Prayer’s an appeal, perhaps an urgent request. It’s a desire for God to answer and bless The supplicant’s heart, when God knows what is best; And just what to do that will give to him rest. When life’s storms arise, and we’re in deep distress; The throne of grace is open when life’s problems press; Keeps us from joy when we seem so depressed – But God’s there to answer with answers of peace.
We make our petitions, which we really feel, Are right and consistent with God’s holy will. So, to Him who can hear and also reveal, To us, what is needed before we appeal; We speak to Him plainly that he will now heal, Or make right the wrongs that to us are so real. With strong supplications, we bow down and kneel; Before God, who has promised, and with His Spirit did seal.
The Spirit’s the One who makes all of this happen. It is He who laid on our hearts this blessed burden. He presses us into the place of affliction, So that we, in turn, would earnestly petition Our Father above, for the lost of this nation: For the kings and authorities who need God’s salvation. So, we will pray on in earnest supplication; And then trust in Him in each situation.
Waiting is the hardest, the answers seem slow; We sometimes, in prayer, let our anxiety show. But in spite of all that, I really do know; That God has His plans that need time to grow To full development. So, watching I go, And each task before me God Himself does control; Until the watching gives way to the light in my soul; Assuring and blessing because that God’s own role.
I must look at others whose needs are so great; So many dear brothers and sisters of late Are being brought down by the physical weight, Of trying to cope with disasters the world calls “fate.” But I know the difference, the Master may wait, Until men have tried every scheme on their plate, And then He steps in – answers the prayers of the saints, And blessings will follow on God’s chosen date.
“My gracious heavenly Father: many times, I have prayed and many times answers came in ways I least expected. I don’t want to appear to dictate to Thee anything in my prayer life. I just want to truly be in the way of Thy blessed will. Amen.”
An ambassador in bonds is not common. Usually, ambassadors are protected from imprisonment. Opposition against the Gospel and the supremacy of our Lord Jesus Christ over every other power makes those who oppose so angry that they will imprison those who want to be a blessing to them. We aren't alone or abandoned. We need to let other brothers and sisters know what God is doing and what Satan is doing. The nature of the church is such that if one suffers, all suffer. There is great value in unity regardless of the differences among people. Unity and diversity go together. The value of words of encouragement and love is needed by every believer, and each of us needs to remember that fact.
Ephesians 6: 19-20. “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.”
AN AMBASSADOR IN BONDS. In chains for kingdom reasons high, he sits in a dungeon deep and dark. He speaks to those who do come by to hear, to listen, and to think Of truth, of Christ, of facts before unknown, unheard of. Two disparate groups so far apart and yet so much in common That to those who observe from distant parts, it is a mystery.
To be explained, it must be clear that mystery unfolds for watching, waiting souls. Now, in the infinite design of wisdom that can only be divine, come answers. Answers that unfold the fact that Jews and Gentiles both alike are one. One in Christ by virtue of the cross-slain Lamb, who gave Himself voluntarily. The Gospel then comes clear to all – one in Christ, one body in the Lord.
Far away as words are read to anxious waiting listeners sitting in convocation holy; The words are there for all to hear, Christ’s ambassador has wants as well. He needs the intercession, the throne of grace, to hear the words of all who pray for him. For boldness in a place unholy and yet blessed by the unseen presence of the Master. He waits and speaks and opens his mouth as befits an ambassador in bonds.
One and another come and take their place to guard the prisoner unarmed. Except for prayers from far away and Spirit near, and words of God's own truth, There is no reason to fear the prisoner, meek and hidden far behind the prison bars. But truth unleashed set guards who came to wonder and to learn from him; The Way, the Truth, the Life becomes the real and living Savior – and they’re free.
The prayers of saints so far away, unhindered by miles, cultures, waters, and language too, Gives power to words spoken by one behind the prison walls, yet set free, As those who from his lips have heard God’s voice and in repentance, faith, and hope; Have taken the new life God gave and spread its news far and wide wherever they did go. The ambassador and those who prayed share alike in God’s own joy – and glory.
“I am impressed tonight, O prayer hearing and prayer answering God, that the prayers of intercession made by many over the years have been the reason, so much has been done that has no explanation apart from God’s divine intervention in answer to the request of faithful servants everywhere. I bow in grateful thanks, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Peace comes when there is reconciliation. The Lord made peace between God and us through the blood of His cross. Peace between saints comes when we recognize the worth of diversity in keeping the unity of the Spirit in an assembly in the bond of peace. Peace in families comes when attempts at reconciliation are successful. Faith is true reliance on God to bring to pass those things that we may not see or know yet. But we trust God, who knows all things. Grace is the living actions of those who are genuinely interested in the well-being of others. Love for our Lord Jesus Christ cannot be faked but will be evident and obvious when it is sincere. This whole book of Ephesians lifts us above the commonplace and lets us see what is happening in this age and at this particular time through the eyes of God. That will give us the understanding of how blessed we are to be seated with Christ in the heavenlies; how important it is for us to walk worthy of our calling, and how urgent it is that we stand in loyalty when attacks are being made to get us to surrender our faith.