Stop trying and just stand!

Ephesians 6:10-14 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then,

I bet you were wondering when I was going to quote this scripture. I mean we are in 7 days of Standing in Faith. I love this scripture because it defies my works-based thinking. I am a fighter: if someone is in trouble whether I know them or not I want to help. And in turn, when things go wrong in my life I want to fix them, to fight, to work out how to make things better. But in this scripture Paul is not saying, work out how to win the war, to fix the problem, strategise and plan your way out of this mess. No, your victory is found in being strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. To rest that he is in control, to know that he is for you, has blessed you with every spiritual blessing and to rest in his mighty arms and trust in Him alone!

Then Paul continues, he then shows how the strength of your fight is the ability to stand on the victory that has already been won in Christ. To stand your ground. To not be on the back foot when the enemy comes against you, but to lock your legs in and stand! Maintaining the ground and standing in all Christ has done for you on the cross. Know the solid foundation that you stand upon and stand! 

Actually, Paul is saying, don’t just stand on it, be clothed in it. Don’t just know what Christ has done for you, let it dress you, cover you and envelop you. He shows how like armour, we are to be clothed in the peace that Christ won for you, wear righteousness like a breastplate and you can continue you to read it. But the point is, it is not by your own works that you are going to overcome the enemy or win this battle. It is purely by standing in and being clothed in the victory that was won on the cross. Knowing Jesus, what he did and what he won for us is how we stand. Maybe read Ephesians in full or the book of Luke, just to remind yourself what he did and what he won for us, so you can clothe yourself in that victory today!