'Street View'

Friends, don’t become discouraged at the spiritual conflicts you’re called to fight every day. The Lord almighty is with you and is fighting on your behalf. Between the “already” and the “not yet,” life is war. It can be draining, annoying, and depressing.

We all go through moments when we wish life could just be easier. We wonder why parenting has to be such a continual spiritual battle. We all wish our marriages could be free of war. We all would love it if there were no conflicts at our jobs or in our churches. But we all wake up to a battle-weary world every day. It is the sad legacy of a world that has been broken by sin and is constantly under the attack of the enemy. It is our delusion of strength that will get us into trouble and cause us to form a life that is less than Christ-centered and God glorifying. The way the apostle Paul ends his letter to the Ephesian church is interesting and instructive. Having laid out the truths to our street-level living, he ends by talking about spiritual warfare:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph. 6:10–20)

When you get to this final part of Paul’s letter, it’s tempting to think that he has entirely changed the subject. No longer, it seems, is he talking about everyday Christianity. But that’s exactly what he’s talking about. He is saying to the Ephesian believers, “You know all that I’ve said about marriage, parenting, communication, anger, the church, and so on—it’s all one big spiritual war.” Paul is reminding you that at street level, practical, daily Christianity is war.

There really is moral right and wrong. There really is an enemy. There really is deceptive temptation. You really are spiritually vulnerable. But he says more. He reminds you that by grace you have been properly armed for the battle. The question is, will you use the implements of battle that the cross of Jesus Christ has provided for you?”

Sue Kelso leads the Finance and HR functions at Manchester Christian Church.  She has also been involved in the Leadership Development Team since its inception.