Famous last Words!

Do Not Ignore the Last Words!

 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

— Ephesians 6:10

 

Finally, last but not least, is the most important issue of being strong in the Lord. Not only to know who we are in Christ but to live in such a way we are strong in Him. This is an incredible statement!

 

Do you not think this is a practical instruction to living our lives?  Ephesians is all about relationship!!!!  Yea, that is what I thought we want--relationships. I am fine, just me and my Jesus!  I really do badly with all the other stuff.

 

It is a good thing I am not tested on relationships; because I would flunk. As I look over my shoulder, I can see all my blunders. Rebellious and a sometimes disrespectful child to my parents and authority figures, a judge of other believers according to the stand in which I live my life—so no one measures up to what I think, then of course my husband always gets slam dunked by my quick responses and whiny attitude!   I could go on but I will not!  Well it is all not that bad these days; but I can still slip into that old man of mine from time to time.

 

Read through these and see how you score:

 

• The relationship between believers (Ephesians 4:25-5:2)
• The relationship between believers and the world (Ephesians 5:3-16)
• The relationship between husbands and wives (Ephesians 5:22-33)
• The relationship between parents and children (Ephesians 6:1-4)
• The relationship between employers and employees (Ephesians 6:5-9)

 

Man, it is a good thing our heavenly Father does not keep score on us. That is why the ending words are sooooo important!  Paul says, "Finally." and then begins to speak to us about spiritual warfare!

 

See it is not about what we know—our spiritual accumulated knowledge, information,  because this alone is not enough to keep the devil under our feet where he belongs. Living like Christ and acquiring more of His nature is what it is about. No one should have to tell us to not lie, steal no more, let no corrupt communication out of their mouths, grieve not the Holy Spirit, and put aside all anger and malice (Ephesians 4:25-31).

 

It has nothing to do with the size of the church building you attend and how many believers attend on Sunday. It has to do with experiencing the overcoming, abundant life that Jesus Christ had come to offer us.

 

I have come to evaluate my own life, and consider my fruit. How about you? Are you experiencing victory in most areas of your life, or are you suffering defeat in key areas? Have you ignored the fact that spiritual warfare is real? Have you gathered lots of spiritual information, knowledge, and facts, yet forgotten to put on the whole armor of God?

 

Praise God for all the knowledge you have gained, but now it is time to turn your intellectual knowledge of God's Word into the sword of the Spirit. Use it to combat the schemes of Satan and to overcome your judgments and ungodly mindsets. Then raise the Word of God high and strike the onslaughts the enemy has been trying to bring against you. It is also time for you to turn your knowledge about faith into a shield that withstands every demonic attack! That includes people who unjustly accuse you, or speak cruelly towards you.

 

See when things of this nature happen they are attacking Jesus, not you! That is why Paul said, "Finally." In case we missed any of the teachings, we can remember those last words: Be strong in God—know who we are in Christ. Use our spiritual weapons of warfare to keep satin under our feet!—in the power of His might!

 

How about you? Are you dressed in the whole armor of God today?  Are you able to use your armor to fight the good fight of faith? 

 

Let us bond together, lift each other up, and walk shoulder to shoulder in this journey of Faith!  Blessings to all!  Dianne