Ephesians 1:3-10
Verses 4-5 For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will—
We have mentioned before how we are chosen to be part of the army. God does the recruiting and He is also the One who provides our armor. One thing we need to remember is this position in the army of God is not a part-time gig. He chose us before we were even born to serve in His army at this particular time in history.
His choosing us to serve at a specific portion of history should help us think about the importance He saw for us to be alive at the time He chose. He wouldn’t place us in a time and place without having certain thing or things He is planning for us to do. It should also help us understand how He didn’t choose us for part-time service. We aren’t part of His reserves.
Since none of His army serve as reservists we needed to understand the armor isn’t meant to be taken on and off at will. Yes, we are to put on the armor but it doesn’t say we are to keep putting it on. It says to put it on, not put it on daily, not put it on when we are feeling attacked, it just says to put it on. That applies to all of the armor pieces but we need to especially understand what it means about the breastplate. We aren’t to take it off.
Just like modern military outfits have identifying marks to show the nation they represent our breastplate of righteousness show we are in God’s army. Only His children are under the righteousness of Jesus and so our identifying mark is where we are like Him. There should be no doubt from moment to moment which army we are in, to God or those around us.
When we are not living as if we are under His righteousness, we are acting as a member of the opposing army. We must not think it is okay to tarnish our armor or cover it with sinfulness. We shouldn’t want to live lives which don’t best represent the army we are in. If we aren’t in constant awareness of the breastplate we wear, it is likely we aren’t focused on God as our commander and that says a lot about where we are spiritually.
Making It Personal
How intentional are you about righteousness in your life? Does your life reflect Jesus’ righteousness all the time? Why do you sometimes allow unrighteousness to come into your life?
Making It Personal Kids
Why is it important for you to live like Jesus? Do you think it is important to Jesus that you always live like you are thankful for His righteousness? How can you show Him you are thankful today?
Closing Prayer
Father, we confess we aren’t always living in light of Your righteousness. Please help us understand what it truly means to live in Your righteousness and give us the strength to live that way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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