It takes a level of growth and maturity, as well as a sense of responsibility, to be independent. According to the dictionary, independent means “being able to do things for yourself and make your own decisions without help or influence from other people”.

As great as independence is however, many have mistaken its purpose and place, especially amongst Christians. As a Christian, you cannot be independent from God and expect to flourish. The very essence of our faith as believers is dependence on God; He is the vine, and we are the branches (John 15:4-6).

If you desire a prosperous and victorious walk as a Christian, you cannot do that by yourself or in your own strength. You need to completely depend on God and His word for guidance.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul addresses believers specifically talking about and addressing various things throughout the book such as: the believers’ inheritance, life in Christ, stewardship, walking in unity, the home/marriage, parenthood, children, employers and employees. In concluding his address, Paul points us to the ‘open secret’ of success for every believer: irrespective of the cap you wear or the capacity of your function, the same recipe applies to all.

“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. “
Ephesians 6:10 AMP

There is no success in any area of life for a believer outside/independent of God. The guarantee for walking and living in victory is found in drawing from God’s strength, and one of the ways we do so is by rightly equipping ourselves.

This post is the introduction of a seven-part series to come where I will be looking at the various aspects of our equipment as Christians as it pertains to living and walking in victory. Verse 11 of Ephesians 6 says “put on the full armour of God”. God, in His goodness and love has made provisions available for us to live victorious lives. Our responsibility is to maximise these provisions by putting on the armour of God. God will not force His armour on us just as He never forces us to do anything but allows us our freewill. The armour belongs to God, but it is our responsibility to put it on.

It is important to establish that Jesus’ death on the cross has given us victory, so we do not fight and struggle to gain victory. We’ve already been declared to be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). That is not something you declare when a battle is ongoing, it is something you declare after the fight is finished.

So what, you might ask, do we need an armour for if the battle is already won?

Our armour as believers, is an armour of defence. We are to defend the victory we’ve been given. The devil, knowing his defeat, goes about with schemes of deceit—hence verse 13 of chapter 6 of Ephesians:

“Therefore, put on the complete armour of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].”

When all sorts of things come against you, Paul encourages you to stand firm and hold your ground. Stand on what has already been completed (Jesus said in John 19: 28 – 30 that it is finished), so stand on that!

…. to be cont’d

Tags
Blogging, bloggingwithkay, christian, inspiration, armour, wholearmour, love, build.