“When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the manand his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees.”
Genesis 3:8
I honestly have never had the wonderful experience of strolling a lush garden with my Father. At least not totally. But when I’m engaging the Word, pressing in to comprehend a passage, it’s as if I’m truly walking in His orchard with Jesus.
But there is something more to this.
This word “pardes” is also an acronym. The rabbis taught that there are four levels of understanding as we peer into a passage.
P’shat–the surface or literal meaning of a verse or passage.
Remez– the symbolic or applied reason of the Word. How it connects with my daily life.
Drash–how it fits into other parts of the Bible, forming a purposeful teaching.
Sod–a hidden meaning that resides “underneath” the verse. This seems when the Holy Spirit gets really involved in the way I live. (Some would say “mystical.)
Now I’m not sure that every passage reaches the “sod” level. (Maybe we’re not really aware?)
When we truly study God’s Word it’s as we walk in the garden. He reveals Himself to us. The Genesis story shows us where we can find Him. The important thing I suppose is trying to hide from God’s presence. We can’t.
We must come to our Father, and learn to walk with Him. The Bible is the best way to fellowship with Him.
“Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,“
Eph. 6:13-17, ESV
You’re called to be armor-plated. Ephesians is quite clear about this, and we DARE not live without spiritual protection, and as a matter of fact, we must wear each piece to survive spiritually. To be ‘naked’ is to invite disaster. Neglecting to dress appropriately brings cataclysmic disaster. We dare not minimize the need for armor.
Each piece listed must be worn. This is a scriptural mandate for every believer in Jesus.
“The whole armor of God” explains the equipment we need to survive spiritually. Here’s a list and a brief comment on the six:
The belt of truth–this pulls everything together and holds us and keeps us secure in the truth.
The breastplate of righteousness–our spiritual heart is protected by knowing we’re accepted by the Father. Being right with God is not a feeling nor is it a mere hopeful wish.
The shoes of the gospel (of peace)–the idea of standing in place (“to stand”) explain our ability to be fixed on grace. When we wear battle shoes we cannot be pushed back or lose our footing. Wearing gospel shoes brings us spiritual stability. We can stand in place, rooted and strong.
The shield of faith–is a vital way of protecting ourselves from the evil arrows shot by the enemy. Satan targets us when he thinks that we aren’t using faith to defend ourselves.
The helmet of salvation–this is the realization that our mind is protected. This vital piece brings us wholeness as we understand what Jesus has done. We know we are saved and wearing our helmet is our protection from demonic-inspired lies.
The sword of the Holy Spirit–the only offensive weapon we have, and it’s all we need. The Word of God will frighten the enemy and push him back. The Word slices and cuts down every obstacle and every lie.
Only those who are spiritual perceive the reality of the spiritual foe and hence engage in battle. Such warfare is not fought with arms of the flesh. Because the conflict is spiritual so must the weapons.
I must stress that clothing yourself is vital. You dare not live spiritually naked wearing nothing. You will be totally vulnerable to the satanic wickedness that is swirling around you. I’m afraid it’s all very real and sobering and there is no escape clause until you finally arrive in heaven.
“We know [positively] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] is under the power of the evil one.”
1 John 5:19, Amplified Bible
I’m afraid you haven’t been given an option in all of this. Our battle equipment in Ephesians 6 is not just some theological preference or concept. It’s real.
Over 40 years of following Jesus have taught me that most believers struggle because they won’t arm themselves for battle. They refuse to acknowledge the environment they’re in and don’t realize the spiritual battle they are facing. They like the sentiment behind this particular passage, (it stirs their heart) but the reality of the battle never fully sinks in.
They end up leaving their armor behind.
The good news is that we have already won because of what the Lord has done. Wearing the armor strengthens and stabilizes us. He pours out His grace, and there will be times of rest of that I am certain. “He leads me beside still waters.”
As obedient and faithful believers we need to realize we’re secure in Him. Yes, there is a terrible fight, but “The battle is the Lord’s.”
“For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.”
“And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray,”
Luke 22:41
WHO KNOWS WHAT JESUS IS THINKING AT THIS PRECISE MOMENT as he entered the Garden? His disciples waited for Jesus and scripture states that he proceeded ahead of them to find some needed strength through prayer— this verse tells us he went “a stone’s throw.”
We often share in the sorrows of the people closest to us, and Jesus wants His disciples to follow him. And they do, but not all the way. They came close, but were oblivious to the full nature of the pain that was beginning for Jesus. They slept while he agonized.
He was for the first time perhaps, needing someone close.
Many of us will make the same trip to the garden. Soon every believer makes the trip to ‘Gethsemane,’ but not as mere observers. It is a distinct place of testing and of sorrow. And each will experience it for themselves. “The servant is not above his master.”
But Jesus is close— he completely understands what it means to be alone with sorrow. The believer can lean on Jesus as the pain continues. He sends his “Comforter” to each, as he escorts us through this time. He comes in grace, and is completely kind.
He is truly just a stone’s throw away.
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
Goliath was almost 10 feet tall, a warrior since birth–we read of his armor–he was like a Sherman tank. And David was just a very small, skinny boy–nothing more.
Young David stood and looked at Goliath face-to-face. (If it’s been awhile, you can read of this encounter in1 Samuel 17.) My guess is that Goliath preened and strutted into the field of battle, and the boy David was stepping up for his very first try at hand-to-hand combat. David is called a “youth” in Hebrew, which means anyone from infancy to adolescence.
And that’s when Goliath begins to blaspheme loudly. Perhaps that’s what giants do best.
He boasts. He mocks. He believes he is superior, and his arrogance seems to know no bounds. In his mind the center of the universe is the Philistine army, and he is their champion. He is contemptuous of everything else–physical or spiritual.
Essentially all you need to know is that Goliath is a human wood chipper.
Everyone who has faced him has been destroyed. No one has ever survived. But he has never met David before. And Goliath knows nothing of the living God. It amazes me, but David never backs down, his reaction to the ‘human mountain’ of Goliath was to run directly at him.
This is an astonishing faith!
“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground”.
1 Sam. 17:48
Many of us face our giants. They come with many names, some are called guilt, pride, doubt, or despair and lust. And they come with many other names as well.
Satan our enemy has marched out on the field of battle, arrogant and supremely confident of his ultimate triumph over us. I suppose that should terrify us. Over the years we’ve been indoctrinated to accept sin’s control, and our inevitable slavery–with a spirit of timidity.
We’ve been rightly told that there are enemies that can destroy us.
As believers we are especially hated in the spiritual world of darkness. Our destruction is inevitable in the mind of the evil one. Satan still expects to win over your soul, but Jesus stands as our advocate shielding you. I believe you are saved because He really did die for you.
Our own particular favorite demonic ‘monster’ is real and brutal.
Yet so many believers are intimidated, listening, and then surrendering to the boasting of the giant. The warfare dimension gets nullified, and soon becomes irrelevant. Despair reaches us and has the full intention of taking total control. It’s never satisfied with just a little bit.
He passed through the dark intimidation and influence to approach Goliath. There was no doubt to cloud his mind. David took a spiritually aggressive position, he took on the fear, and then ran directly at the giant Goliath. His spirit was untouchable. This is the boy who wrote Psalm 23.
Some of us stare down our giants repeatedly, over and over.
As believers, we might struggle. We can turn our hearts over to despair. Sometimes we actually make ourselves available to the enemy’s workings. When we do this the enemy spreads his influence to others through us. And any confidence we might have through faith is dissolved into doubt and confusion.
But the victory we have in Christ allows us liberty, through the Blood of Him who defeats our own Goliath of despair. We can run into the battle. We fight our giant, but we’re never defeated.
“Soon the battle will be over. It will not be long now before the day will come when Satan will no longer trouble us. There will be no more domination, temptation, accusation, or confrontation. Our warfare will be over and our commander, Jesus Christ, will call us away from the battlefield to receive the victor’s crown.”
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.”
“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1
“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.”
Just on a general basis, life can be terribly hard. I have had to face down so many enemies. Most all of them have been health issues, some critical. I know that there are many others that have also been besieged. To stand, and run with endurance takes the Holy Spirit (+ our weakness).
We’ve been called to stay standing, and to continue running.
The Bible is rich with verses that encourage believers to persevere, remain steadfast, and endure through hardships. Here are 10 promises that will never fail.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” Hebrews 10:36
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,” Romans 5:3
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
“To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.”
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:11
“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36, NLT
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,” Romans 15:5
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4
“But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn’t happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently.” Romans 8:25, LB
Somehow I just realized that “joy” must be found. The race is long and hard. If you are really a believer, you will run for the rest of your life. Challenging, yes. But the Holy Spirit will give you His joy. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10.)
“The only true conqueror who shall be crowned in the end is he who continues until war’s trumpet is blown no more…. Christian, wear your shield close to your armor and cry earnestly to God, that by His Spirit you may endure to the end.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.”
Matthew 14:27-29, (context, vv. 22-33)
Jesus is full of surprises! You can never guess the things He will do next. He is Lord after all. To walk on water is totally impossible. But Jesus does it. He walks on it as if it were a concrete sidewalk. When they see Him they freak out. They couldn’t believe their eyes.
Jesus wants to reveal to His disciples His true nature.
They had just seen Him multiply fish and loaves, He fed five thousand plus just a few hours ago. Wasn’t that a miracle enough? It seems that Jesus doesn’t think so.
For some inexplicable reason, Peter wants to insert himself into Jesus’ miracle. Oddly, he has decided he’ll join Jesus, and leave behind the security of the boat–for the insecurity of the impossible! He truly believes that Jesus can hold him up somehow. Perhaps this alone is the most amazing part of this passage. Can a man duplicate the walk of Jesus? Can we walk like Him?
Peter really wants to leave the security of the boat, for the insecurity of the impossible.
It seems to me that we’re constantly doing the “Peter thing.” It’s true our walk of faith really is intensely supernatural, and yet we somehow forget this. And face it, we’ll never generate the “fruits of the Holy Spirit” on our own. Our most sincere efforts will never turn water into something solid.
We will never walk the disciple’s path without faith in the Master who calls us to come to Him.
I think Jesus wants us to join Him. Our faith in Him is the key. We believe that we can walk with Him, we believe we will see the impossible. Without question it’s Jesus’ power that holds us up. Our faith in Him is the ignition point in all of this. Our mustard seed faith, combined with Jesus’ power. becomes the true walk of the disciple.
We must bravely launch ourselves into the purposes of God. Jump when God puts opportunity in your path.
To merely sit in the boat is hardly faith. When Peter steps over the gunwales, he steps into the world of the amazing. The water holds him, and his trust in Jesus solidifies like the water he walks on. He is now doing the impossible. He’s now becoming very much like Jesus.
Our walk seems terribly weak at times, we can easily list our sin and weaknesses. We’re not quite convinced that the blood of Jesus covers all our sin–and therefore we can’t step out of the boat. I think it’s Peter’s faith in Jesus’ power that holds him up.
When his faith falters, he does the “rock thing,” There is something about his circumstances–the wind, and the waves that begin to frighten him. (But I must believe Jesus was pleased.)
To really understand, to obey Jesus is to step out of our boat in faith; when we do we’ll start to see miracles happen.
“Christ will always accept the faith the puts its trust in Him.”
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46
A different perspective.
The central issue seems to be of value. The pearl was magnificent. This merchant had never seen one like this. It gleamed in his hands, and he knew he must have it. It wasn’t an option, he had to buy it. His response–sell everything to the highest bidder (of course) and buy it.
TheLordJesusloveseachofusintensely.
Rather the people who make up the body. He loves everyone, but he’s crazy about his people. I have a shirt, and I’ll wear it sometimes when I feel like it could touch someone, it says “Jesus Loves You, but I’m His favorite.” I know it’s funny, but maybe it’s true? I know that he loves me–crazy-like. And I love that He loves, even me.
We’reHispearls.
His blood, and His cross was the purchase price. That’s what it took. When we truly believe we acknowledge that we are His now. He paid for us, completely.
Jesus sees, and he must have us. So he comes, and pays the price, he sells it all just to possess us. He now owns us. We know that there is nothing remarkable about us, for we understand our own sinfulness, we really see that we’re spiritually evil all of the time. The theologians call it “the depravity of man.” (Ecclesiastes 9:3; Job 15:14-16; Matthew 15:19).
But our faith in Him changes everything! We have been bought off the slave block of sin. We have been chosen.
“ThereforeIendureeverythingforthesakeoftheelect.”
2 Timothy 2:10
We realize that we are the elect as believers when we put our faith in what Jesus did for us. Believe me, that’s not what I feel or sense about myself. But it’s what He sees, and He desperately wants me to be his own–and I don’t know why he would do such a thing. It makes no sense to me at all.
I confess that peace has never been really high on my list. Love, joy, kindness, and even goodness are clear priorities. Peace… not so much. Until I find out it’s not there. And then I get frantic by its absence and scrambling look for it with bewilderment.
Sometimes I don’t understand why God still loves me. At times like this anxiety eats at me. I beat myself up by my last failure. The guilt of my latest sin grows until it looms larger than the blood that saved me. Sometimes I suppose, religious people seem to have the most neurosis.
I’m afraid that we are taking the ‘present tense’ out of the Gospel.
The past tense is preferable to us as we find it easier to ‘manage’ our Christian life. We like to make check marks on our list. [Church attendance– check. Baptism– check. Bible study– check.] I think it gives me a definite feeling of ‘maturity.’
But these things matter little without intimacy with Jesus Christ.
I certainly haven’t arrived, and it seems at times I’m still the hideous sinner I always was. I cannot pretend otherwise, even with a spiritual truckload of cosmetics at my disposal. I know, I’ve tried. And I’m still ‘ugly.’ I do know forgiveness, and I do walk in its wonderful light (by grace).
I read Luther 30 years ago. (And Bonhoeffer would say something similar.)
“When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent,’ he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.”
Martin Luther
This is the first of his 95 Theses nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. And there is a present tense here we can’t ignore about these declarations. I don’t just repent over smoking, beer drinking, fornication, or hypocrisy, once and done. But my entire way of living is to be one of repenting. To repent everyday opens the door to a true grace-filled discipleship.
“All of the Christian life is repentance. Turning from sin and trusting in the good news that Jesus saves sinners aren’t merely a one-time inaugural experience but the daily substance of Christianity. The gospel is for every day and every moment. Repentance is to be the Christian’s continual posture.”
John Piper
Luther’s last words, on his deathbed, was found written on a scrap of paper stuck in his coat, “We are beggars! This is true.” Even after thirty years, he was only echoing his first thesis.
It seems dear ones, we are to live at the foot of the cross.
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17
“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Luke 18:15-17
Again we were wrong (like usual it seems). I guess that we were trying to maximize Jesus’ ministry. We meant well, but He needed organization. So that was now our “ministry.” We simply felt that Jesus’ time was our concern, and as His disciples we wanted Him to connect with those who really mattered.
The parents were bringing their children to be blessed by Jesus.
“It was the custom for mothers to bring their children to some distinguished Rabbi on the first birthday that he might bless them.”
Jesus made it clear that these children needed to be the focus of our ministry. Our efforts were not to be centered on adults, rather it was misguided thinking that we direct Jesus’ work to be focused and redirected. These little ones were in the way.
Up to now, Jesus’ work was for adults. Or so we thought.
There were lepers, demon-possessed, paralyzed, tax-collectors all waiting for His ministry. Somehow we overlooked the needs of little children. Again, we were wrong, misguided, and ignorant of the walk we were called to.
Trust me on this–we believed otherwise. Up to now, we assumed that maturity meant sophistication. It was all about right thinking and good theology–it was these things God was looking for. We assumed that being simple wasn’t quite what Jesus wanted from us. Rather we believed the opposite.
And sure enough, Jesus explained what we were missing.
Children were to become our focus. They were the ones who we were to emulate and esteem. The radical thing to us was understanding that these ‘little ones’ were that significant.
“Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”
Luke 18:16-17, The Message
This was like a 2×4 across the head! It was nothing less than another radical thought from our Teacher. And trust me, this wasn’t easy, but Jesus was crystal clear. We dare not think otherwise, but believing this was against all we thought the Kingdom was.
Jesus explained that childlikeness was the only way we could enter His Kingdom.
Children were now to be our examples. Their simplicity was to be our guide. Their simple innocence was how we were to see ourselves. You have no idea how extreme this was to us.
This was the Kingdom of God’s doorway into true discipleship. We carried this lesson for the rest of our lives. It was something we passed on to our disciples.
“Part of the exquisite beauty of salvation is its simplicity. Any man, woman, or child can come to Christ with absolutely nothing to offer Him but simple faith-just as they are. Salvation requires nothing more than childlike faith–believing that Jesus Christ died for my sins and accepting His gift of Salvation.”
I recently heard a sermon that referred to St. George and the Dragon– a fable, perhaps true, but it does communicate the reality of spiritual warfare. And how easily we forget. The battle is very real for the believer, and Satan has a million and a half strategies and schemes to use against us.
There is a monster out there–described as a vicious dragon and his existence can never be disputed or even minimized. Unbelief in him doesn’t change the reality of his wicked ministry. He often goes by the name of Satan.
“There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.”
The image of a dragon is used repeatedly in the rook of Revelation. (Thirteen times to be exact.) The imagery is a potent one, and the readers of John’s letter are brought into the cosmic reality of darkness personified. But never fear, Satan (the dragon) is bound and cast down.
Paul writes to the Ephesian church about the absolute necessity of going to war.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Passivity isn’t an option. Apathy or lethargy will kill you spiritually. If it were not for the grace of God we would collapse. Below is Paul’s exhortation to young Timothy–it’s sobering.
“Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.”
I would not be a good teacher or writer if I failed to convey this truth. It’s now past time to wake up and go to war. Our own survival depends on this–our families, friends, church and nation are desperately needy.
Your armor hangs in God’s closet waiting for you and you need to wear it. Ephesians 6 has never been more applicable or relevant than in this present moment.
Alaska Bible Teacher 