COSMIC WAR FOR PEACE!

We are in the middle of a battle. It is a battle for peace. This battle is not being fought in just one part of the world. Nor is it limited to a specific race or group of people. This battle involves the entire world. As a matter of fact, it involves the entire universe. You might be surprised to know this battle is not physical. If not physical, then how is it fought?

We are continuing our study of the Book of Ephesians. This week, we are continuing our look at Ephesians 6:10-20. The emphasis is still on unity and war, but not war, as we see it on TV or in the movies. Paul is recruiting brave soldiers willing to fight for peace. How do we become members of this army that is waging peace?

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Let Us Inviting God’s Presence:

God Almighty, In this battle for peace, give us the will and power to stand, trusting that we are fully protected.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

As humans, we do not have the power to manufacture peace. Then how do we obtain peace?

When a Roman Soldier got ready for war, he tied on a pair of military shoes called hobnails. The bottom of these shoes was very thick and was covered with nails. The nails in the soles were designed to help the shoe grip the ground better when the soldier stood and fought the enemy. They were to keep soldiers from falling or slipping during the heat of the battle.

So, it is necessary that in this battle for peace, we have shoes on that will keep us standing in the heat of the battle.

Keeping in mind that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness, Paul points to how important it is that we have the right kind of shoes in Ephesians 6:11, 13. We need hobnails on so that we do not slip and fall in the heat of battle.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Split)

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (Ephesians 6:13-14)

So, the point is our war is not physical; we are waging a war for peace.

However, notice what it says in the book God’s Amazing Grace, p. 32, about obtaining peace.

“Men cannot manufacture peace. Human plans for the purification and uplifting of individuals or of society will fail to produce peace because they do not reach the heart. (God’s Amazing Grace, p.32)

So how, then, do we wage peace?

Paul in Ephesians talks about “peace” eight times: Ephesians 1:2; Ephesians 2:14, 15, 17; Ephesians 4:3; and Ephesians 6:15, 23. Why does Paul use the imagery of war in advocating peace?

In Ephesians 2:14–17, Paul expresses that the work of peace belongs to Jesus.

“Christ is the reason we are now at peace. . . . Christ came and brought the message of peace to the non-Jews who were far away from God. And he brought that message of peace to those who were near to God”. (Ephesians 2:14–17, ERV)

In other words, Jesus “Christ made both Jews and non-Jews one people. They were separated by a mental wall of hate between them. But Christ broke down that wall of hate by giving his own body. . . . Christ’s purpose was to make the two groups of people become one new people in him” (Ephesians 2:14, 15, ICB).

Thus, the believers shod their feet and stand ready for battle when they maintain and tell the gospel story over and over of how Christ rescued humanity and brought both Jews and non-Jews together.

Believers shod their feet and stand ready for battle, continuously telling the story of Christ’s creative work of peace.

They shod their feet and stand ready for war when they repeatedly celebrate His victory past and keep looking ahead to the victory cry in the future.

Therefore, like the messenger in Isaiah 52:7, believers are messengers proclaiming the victory of Christ and His peace.

The point is peace does not come from us humans. We cannot create or manufacture peace.

 “The only power that can create or perpetuate true peace is the grace of Christ. When this is implanted in the heart, it will cast out the evil passions that cause strife and dissension.”  (God’s Amazing Grace, p. 32).

Thus, we must understand that Paul is not advocating that we pick up real weapons and fight against our enemies.

Paul uses the image of war shoes to help us understand the good news about Jesus. This good news fills hearts with God’s peace (the gospel of peace), as expressed in Ephesians 6:15

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:15)

Paul’s promotion of unity also indicates that it is not the role of believers to be combative. They should not be arguing, fusing, and fighting with their friends, coworkers, and family members. Instead, Paul encourages us to work together.

Throughout Ephesians, he emphasized unity. In fact, in Ephesians 4:25-5:2, he talks about the importance of showing others kindness, respect, and love. Read Ephesians 4:25–5:2.

In other words, believers should not be fighting one another. Peace is not waged by battling with one another. Force does not create peace.

We, instead, fight against evil with peace. Our arsenals (our weapons of war) involve emptying our hearts of all pride and having a heart of patience, forgiveness, love, kindness, and mercy.

Moreover, our “weapons” are comprised of prayer, worship, and praise to God. When we use these “weapons,” we show other people God’s grand plan to make all things new and unify all things in Jesus (Ephesians 1:9, 10).

“God calls upon us to put on the armour. We do not want Saul’s armour, (man-made armor) but the whole armour of God. Then we can go forth to the work with hearts full of Christ-like tenderness, compassion, and love.”—Ellen G. White, [Australasian] Union Conference Record, July 28, 1899. 

With our feet shod with the gospel of peace, we become a target for the enemy. How can we be protected from the fiery bullets he shoots at us? To find out, continue to Part 5: Shield, Helmet, and Sword

Ephesians

(Lesson 13)

Waging Peace

Part: 5 Shield, Helmet, and Sword

In Ephesians 6:16, 17, Paul advises that we:

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Ephesians 6:16-17)

He uses a Roman shield as a word picture. The Roman shield was a large piece of wood cut in a rectangular shape. The edges of the shield curved back to protect the soldier from blows to his side. The Roman soldier carried it in front of him to protect him from his enemy’s sword and arrows.

In Roman times, arrows were covered in a sticky mixture made from tar and then lit on fire.

Roman shields were soaked in water to stop burning arrows. Just like God’s shield, “the shield of faith” mentioned in Ephesians 6:16.

Paul’s picture of the “shield of faith” in Ephesians 6:16 refers to Old Testament writers’ use of shields as a word picture or metaphor for God in which they express that God is like a shield because He protects His people.  This metaphor is used in Genesis 15:1, and; Psalm 3:3)

Genesis 15:1

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)

And Psalms 3:3

3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. (Psalms 3:3)

When Paul orders believers in Ephesians 6:16 to pick up “the shield of faith,” he is emphasizing our need to trust God in our fight against evil in this cosmic battle. We can fight with confidence, as Paul encourages us to do in Ephesians 6:10

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Ephesians 6:10).

Why?  Because we find in Ephesians 6:11, 13 that God gives us the best weapons, and He also helps us win the war. God ensures victory.

Ephesians 6:11 says

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

And Ephesians 6:13 tells us

13 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. (Ephesians 6:13)

Another part of God’s battle suit is the helmet or head covering. The helmets that Roman soldiers wore can help us understand God’s helmet.

Roman helmets were made from iron or brass. It was a bowl-shaped covering designed to protect the soldier’s head. It had a metal flap at the back to protect the neck. It also had metal parts that protected the soldier’s ears, the top of his head, and his cheeks.

Paul in Ephesians 2:6–10 uses this metaphor (the helmet of salvation) to help us better understand God’s saving grace.

It helps describe the salvation believers experience in unity with Christ, in His resurrection, ascension, and exaltation.  

When we put on the helmet of salvation, it means that we have chosen to trust in God. We refuse to be afraid of the spiritual evil that makes so many people afraid in the end times. Read Ephesians 1:15–23; Ephesians 2:1–10.

The last piece of God’s battle suit or armor is a powerful weapon. This weapon is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” [the Bible]”

A Roman soldier’s sword was short with two sharp edges. The usual battle tactic was to throw two spears (not mentioned by Paul) and then draw the sword and charge. The Roman soldiers used the short two-edged sword in a thrusting motion.

The believers’ sword is the Bible. It is like a sharp two-edged sword (or two-edged knife) that “cuts” through Satan’s lies.

You see, the Bible, with all its promises, is the most important weapon in our fight against evil.

So, as a general preparing his troops for battle, Paul steps forward and issues a call to arms. In his call, he echoes promises of hope and victory from the divine Commander in Chief.

It is these promises, issued in Ephesians 6:10–20, that are “the word of God.” The word of God is the lead weapon in the battle against evil. Therefore, the “word of God,” in a broad sense, is the promises of the gospel found in the Bible.

Notice what it says in the book Our High Calling about the need to know the scriptures found in the Bible.

A familiar acquaintance with the Scriptures sharpens the discerning powers, and fortifies the soul against the attacks of Satan. The Bible is the sword of the Spirit, which will never fail to vanquish the adversary. It is the only true guide in all matters of faith and practice. (Our High Calling, p. 31.)

It also says in the Book In Heavenly Places:

All who range themselves under the blood-stained banner of the Prince of Life will henceforth count Satan as a foe and will, in God’s strength, oppose him as a deadly enemy. They will take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

And what will they do in order to hold vantage ground?

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18). (In Heavenly Places, p. 48)

Prayer is very important!  What peace of the Amory is prayer? To find out, continue to Part 6: Practicing Battlefield Prayer

Ephesians

(Lesson 13)

Waging Peace

Part 6 Practicing Battlefield Prayer

At the end of his war sermon, Paul asks his readers in Ephesians 6:18, as God’s soldiers, to pray for all believers everywhere.

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18)

Paul also tells his readers to pray for him because he is in jail for being God’s ambassador (Ephesians 6:19, 20).

In Ancient times, armies prayed on the battlefield, asking their gods to help them win the war.

An example of this was the war talked about in 2 Chronicles 20:18 in the Old Testament, in which after Jahaziel orders God’s people to fight, King Jehoshaphat leads all the people in Judah and Jerusalem in prayer. They prayed to the True and living God, God Almighty, to help them win their battle. Thus, the king and his people bow to the Lord and worship Him.

18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:18). 

Now, prayer isn’t a seventh piece of God’s battle suit. But prayer is an important part of Paul’s battle speech and an important part of Paul’s military imagery or metaphor in Ephesians 6.

Paul’s point here is that if the people of God want to have success in the fight against evil, the church must depend fully on God for strength. Prayer is one way that church members show God that they depend on Him.

Paul also asks for prayer for himself in Ephesians 6:19. He asks for prayer that God might grant him the right message (“that words may be given to me”) at the right time (“in opening my mouth”), delivered in the right way (“boldly to proclaim”), and addressing a most important theme, “the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).

Part of this mystery is God’s plan to save all humanity, both Jews and Gentiles, who are willing to accept His son Jesus Christ as their savior. Review Ephesians 3:1–13. Together, these saved ones become part of God’s new human family according to Ephesians 2:15;

15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace (Ephesians 2:15)

Also read Ephesians 2:11–22).

This work is part of God’s plan “to unite all things” in Christ, as expressed in Ephesians 1:10.

10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. (Ephesians 1:10)

Paul’s request for prayer is not unusual; at different times, God’s messengers invite His people to come together and pray. Read in Luke 18:1–8; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; and 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 about some of these invitations to pray.

It is our earnestness and perseverance in prayer that grants us the opportunity to listen to the promises of God. Through prayer, we honor the promises of God and give thanks to God for the resources of His amazing grace. Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 146.

It is by girding our waist, putting on the breastplate, shoeing our feet, taking up our shield, putting on our helmets, with our swords in our hands, united in prayer, that we are prepared to wage peace.

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