Introduction:
We live in a time of tremendous confusion when it comes to objective facts. While cultural traditions and perspectives change over time. This is to our advantage and good. I am certainly glad that w
We live in a time of tremendous confusion when it comes to objective facts. Cultural traditions and perspectives change over time. This is to our advantage and good. I am certainly glad that America has made continual progress when it comes to racial inequality, for example. I am happy that we can celebrate diversity in our streets and in our churches, unifying ourselves for kingdom purposes under the Lordship of King Jesus.
certainly bears mentioning that the bible bears witness to times such as these. The bible says in 1 Timothy 4, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”
However, there are those who have all but abandoned standards of truth, affirmed by the one who calls Himself “The Way, the Truth, and the Life.” To our detriment, there are also those who would have us abandoned simple scientific facts, also, creating a Pandora’s Box out of which emerges a new identifier every day.
This has led to many people to abandon orthodox teaching about our basic human existence and follow after lies that deceive and destroy their faith. It certainly bears mentioning that the bible bears witness to times such as these. The bible says in 1 Timothy 4, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”
Study One: The Truth
READ:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
-Ephesians 6:10-14 (NRSV)
THINK:
Do you remember memorizing the Periodic Table of Elements in school? I remember when test day arrived and the class was handed a blank Periodic Table with the simple task of filling in the Names, Symbols, and the Atomic Number for each element. I sat and stared for a bit, then began writing. I don’t remember if I got them all correct, but I am sure of this, that the basic elements of life that are held there will remain. There may be others added that we have not discovered, but those that are there will not be rejected because they fall out of favor, or because a legislative body votes, or because someone chooses to identify them as something else. Those are the facts. They are true.
The bible is unique. Over thousands of years, God has been revealing Himself to people who walk the earth. Men and women have told the stories, recorded them on papyrus, cloth, and paper to be passed down through generations of time. Yet, in spite of the challenge of time an increasingly liberal scholarship, the integrity of the scriptures has been affirmed by God in flesh, Jesus, and the witness of the Holy Spirit among people. Those are the facts. They are true.
Remember, “The Way, the Truth, and the Life”? Yes, Jesus is central to the witness of scripture. In fact, He is the Revelation of scripture. God’s purpose and plan through the ages was to prepare the way for Jesus. The apostles and prophets, the psalmists, priests, and scribes were instruments of God to reveal His Son who became flesh to, ultimately suffer, die, and be resurrected that we might have the Kingdom of Heaven life, beginning today.
We fasten the belt of truth around our waist to prepare us to stand in the face our enemy, the father of lies. It is on this belt that every tool for battle will hang. The belt kept the soldiers sword within reach and ready for the fight. It is the foundation that holds all other things together. As the belt protected the first century soldier from stumbling over loose-fitting garments, the belt of truth can keep us from stumbling. Without the truth, everything else falls apart. That is why the enemy hates the truth so much. That is also why the movement to undermine any standard of truth is so dangerous.
DEVOTE:
Why is the truth so important to us?
Can truth be hateful, bigoted, or racist?
PRAY:
Lord, God, help us to know the truth and be made free. Help us to know the truth and become more like Jesus. Help us to know the truth and glorify You in all we think, say, or do. Help us to know the truth so we may share it with others and see them freed from the chaos of life and rest in the peace that only You can give. Amen.
Study Two: Righteousness
READ:
There is no one who is righteous, not even one.
-Romans 3:10
THINK:
For the soldier, the breastplate provided protection for his vital organs from the unexpected and overwhelming blows of an enemy’s attack. Where the shield might fail, the breastplate will preserve and protect.
The “breastplate of righteousness” is that provision of God through Jesus of right relationship. This precious gift of righteousness, that we are unable to provide for ourselves, is given by the grace of God through our faith in Jesus. The righteousness of Jesus is gifted to us and we are made acceptable before God. We are reconciled to God because the righteousness of Jesus is laid upon us.
But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, -Romans 4:5
The righteous man will live by faith… -Romans 1:17
Righteous living has everything to do with loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. It also has everything to do with loving our neighbor as ourselves. You see, righteousness in the bible is all about relationship. Look at the Ten Commandments. Foundational to each of those commandments is relationships…how we live in relationship to God and our neighbors.
Love. That is the heart of the gospel. Love for God…love for neighbor. Not only is it the heart of the gospel, but it is the heart of those who follow Jesus. That breastplate of righteousness holds within it what pumps life into the believers life, the heart of love. Nothing the enemy throws our way can overcome that love, dilute that love, divert that love…love never fails.
DEVOTE:
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.
This week, work to memorize this verse and make it your rally cry as an individual and family.
PRAYER:
Lord, God, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for His love for us. Thank you that His love was worked out in the words and works He accomplished on this earth. We cannot comprehend the price He paid or the death He suffered. We cannot comprehend the miracle of the resurrection in its totality, but, Lord, we can live in the reality of His love: new birth, new life, freedom from the bondage of sin, faith worked out in holy love. Those things are ours to claim because of what Jesus has accomplished through His life, death, and resurrection and sending the Holy Spirit to live within us and empower us to this life. Thank you, God. In Jesus Name. Amen.