EXPOSITION:
A soldier’s outfit is essential when it comes to battle. The soldier must ensure that he is in the right attire before he goes onto the battlefield. Any soldier who seems ill-prepared may not be allowed to go to the battlefield, not alone given the opportunity to fight or could be prone to attacks.
Our reading for today admonishes us to be strong in the Lord and to stand firm. It is the mark of every good soldier to stand his ground till the end of a battle. To succeed, the soldier must dispel every form of fear. There is the call for the believer to put on the whole armour of God. This is armour, therefore is a complete armour that covers the entire person, from the crown of his head to the soul of his feet. Since our battle is spiritual and not carnal, the outfit also has to be spiritual.
The words wrestle, struggle, fight, etc. denote combat which must be taken seriously and must not be taken lightly. The required attire consists of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace as your shoes, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. It is worthy to note that to do battle and succeed, the Christian must be fully clothed in his armour. It is then that he will be able to stand firm even in the very difficult and perilous times. In the days ahead, we will be looking at some of the recommended armour for the battle. Are you properly dressed as a Christian?