Monday, August 27, 2018

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost (B) 2018

+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.

Text: Ephesians 6:10-20
Theme: Spiritual Defence


Dear friends in Christ Jesus,

The Scriptures are comprehensive in their depictions of God’s provision for us. The biblical writers do not use dull or tedious imagery when painting the picture of God’s presence and purposes in the world and in our lives. Today St. Paul paints the description of a well-equipped Roman foot soldier and makes application for the spiritual battlefield Christians find themselves on. He mentions the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, foot protection involving the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God1.

Why does he do this? The apostle was certainly not given to war-mongering. Instead, he is teaching and equipping the saints for the very real struggles they will face. He intends to build our confidence and bolster our resolve. Dear friends, when it comes to spiritual warfare there is no option to opt out as a conscientious objector. Satan brings the battle right to our doorstep. There is no place of neutrality. He and his troops are experienced, hardened warriors. The only possibility of a truce the devil will consider is one that is all on his own terms. He takes no prisoners. When people align themselves with his will he can then invest his resources elsewhere.

The strategy of the soldier is to find the weak points in the opponent’s armor. There is little point in attacking the most well-defended areas. Striking the thick breastplate, for instance, is unlikely to bring success. But, the places where the armor is joined, the exposed gaps, these are where the damage can be done. Satan aims for these targets. His tactic involves pinpointing our frail spots. So, maturity in faith involves understanding our vulnerabilities. Our weaknesses are not always as obvious to us as our strengths. This is the nature of sinfulness causing a loss of perspective.

Consider your own weaknesses. Are you prone to egotism? Are you inclined to lust? Are you susceptible to greed? Are you given to gossip? Do you have a penchant for complaining or a proclivity for deceitfulness? Is the mirror you look in to see your spiritual image true? Or is it like one of those trick mirrors they have in a circus? The word of God is the only true mirror. Any of our distorted explanations are just reflections of our sinful natures. Our weak points are not resolved by denying them or ignoring them, but through genuine humble repentance and authentic faith.

God alone can secure our victories. When temptation is resisted, or transgression is averted, don’t be too hasty to pat yourself on the back. Rather, give thanks that you can participate in the Spirit’s victory. Rejoice, that Christ has conquered in your stead. The will of a believer cooperates with the Spirit but never has the strength or sanctity to initiate or complete the task.
When the Israelites were sandwiched between the Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea there seemed to be every reason to panic. How does Moses encourage them? He says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”2 Therefore the Psalmist also writes, “Be still, and know that I am God.”3

We never know precisely what battles we’ll face in life. Some challenges are routine, others quite extreme. But we do know this: There was never a greater battle than the one that took place on the hill called Calvary. It is well-named as Golgotha, the Place of the Skull. There on the rubble heap of death the Lord of life was slain. There the Holy One of God contested the forces of darkness. Life contended with death, truth with falsehood. His body was laid in a tomb, but on the third day He stepped forth from the grave securing immortal life. He did that as your God, your Saviour, your Lord. He did it not under coercion, but in determination to obey the Father’s will. And, yet He did it not only to please the Father, but as the most profound expression of the divine nature. God creates. He redeemed. He resurrects. He gives. All these things He does in and through Jesus; crucified, risen, ascended, reigning!

It is clear that Western society is becoming increasingly estranged from the biblical worldview. The reasons are many. But it’s not a new situation in the history of humanity. We are reminded in our gospel reading today that great throngs of people were following Jesus until the truth, and its implications, became too difficult to swallow. St. John tells us, “From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. ‘You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.’”4

Dear friends, we can’t have God on our own terms. We can’t shape Jesus in our own image. We can’t adjust divine truth to fit our preferred opinions or to align with the politically correct ideologies of the day. It is a common practice, to be sure. Yet it is not the practice of following Christ, but of idol-making. The Holy Spirit doesn’t excuse us from the tension that is created when opposition to the faith is raised. In fact, that’s exactly what bearing the cross means. Living as baptized children of God doesn’t mean that God removes us from all the stresses of a sinful world. Each day we are right in the fray. We are defending against Satan’s attacks. We are supporting those in need. We are witnessing to the truth of God’s love in Jesus Christ. We can’t do this under our own steam, but only by the Holy Spirit’s power. That’s why St. Paul says today, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”5

God never promises life will be carefree. Perhaps you feel defeated- this very day. And, perhaps you have many convincing reasons to feel defeated from a human standpoint. Your failures are accumulating. Your successes are diminishing. Maybe some of your most important relationships are strained or your health is ailing. Maybe things aren’t as you thought they would be at this point in your life. But know this: Christ has not been defeated! Stand on this truth. Take refuge in it. Cherish it. Extol it. Publish it. “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again: death no longer has mastery over Him.”6 There is nothing that can happen to you in this life that Christ cannot resolve in eternity.

Dear friends, until Christ comes again in glory Satan will continue to press his attack. We live in the tension of the already, but not yet. Jesus has already secured salvation for all who believe. But we do not yet enjoy the full consequences of that victory. Still, the devil is conquered. The outcome is not in doubt. The reigning Christ will not be unseated from His throne. And in His eternal, heavenly presence no armor of any kind will be needed. Thanks be to God! Amen.

+ In nomine Jesu +

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
26 August 2018
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt

1 See Ephesians 6:13-17
2 Exodus 14:14
3 Psalm 46:10
4 John 6:66-69
5 Ephesians 6:18
6 Romans 6:9

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