In yesterdays post we saw the Characteristics of our Spiritual Warfare and where this Battle is fought, today with the LORD's help I will look at the Spiritual Armor Provided. As we have put on the LORD of Host's Christ and are clothed within HIM and have taken on the character and nature of the Great GOD Himself Who rules our New Life from within us in accord to the Lord's prayer of John 17. The Secret of Christ the Messiah, the Anointed messenger Who has taken up Spiritual residence within you and me. This known as having the mind of Christ. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his revealing of Christ in the Person of Grace and Truth restored to mans soul. And making the use of the ESV translation I will cover the targeted subject matter and course of our study with the LORD's ever present help.
I have just reviewed what is stated and been revealed here, it is powerful! When taken in spiritually.
"Liberty to be Transformed"
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2Corinthians 3:18)
"Living day by day within the New Covenant of Grace allows the Holy Spirit to liberate us spiritually. "Where the Spirit of the LORD Christ is, there is Liberty" (2Corinthians 3:17). Where the Holy Spirit is allowed to work, there is liberty to be transformed. For Romans 8:9 tells why this is so important, it is here that we find that statement, "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of GOD dwells in you (according to John 17). Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him."
This Transformation Process is for every believer who is willing to live by the terms of the New Covenant: "But we all." The terms are simple: renounce self-sufficiency ("Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves" — 2Corinthians 3:5) and from that moment we on we rely on GOD's sufficiency ("but (For) our sufficiency is from GOD" — 2Corinthians 3:5). Those who reject human resources (the flesh) seek GOD "with unveiled face." They come humbly, without any veils of pretense or self-justification.
Coming through the Lord now LORD of All, in this manner brings an ongoing blessing: "beholding as in a mirror the Glory of the LORD." Three mirrors reflect the Glory of Christ from heavenly places into the experience of the Redeemed here on earth: the creation, the Church (as the Body and Family restore as seen in Genesis 2), and the scriptures. The universe declares His Glory. "The heavens declare the Glory of GOD; And the firmament shows His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). Also, the LORD can be seen actively Living in His people. "For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the Life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2Corinthians 4:11). These two mirrors are helpful, but they can be distorted by sin, in the flesh. The mirror that reflects the LORD's Glory flawlessly is His word. "The law (this in both selfless Love and Faith) of the LORD is perfect . . . these (the scriptures) are they which testify of Me" (Psalm 19:7; John 5:39).
As we humbly seek the LORD, hidden as a treasure is hidden in plain sight, in His word, we behold His Glory therein. The wonderful consequence is we "are being Transformed into the same image from glory to more Glory." From one area after another, from one degree to another, we are being changed into the likeness of the Glorious One we are beholding. This process is carried on as only the Holy Spirit can do it: "just as by the Spirit of the Lord, now LORD as HE has always been and will always be, the Amend."
Spiritual Armor Provided,
Romans 13:11-14 "Besides this you (inwardly) know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep (inward sleep of quieted encapsulated spirit). For Salvation (preservation and safety) is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor (weaponry the knowledge of Truth the active and abiding Word) of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the LORD, Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."
2Corithians 6:1-10, 11-13, 14-18 "Working together with Him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the Grace of GOD in vain. For HE says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of (our) Salvation (healing, as in restoration and transformation, His occupation) I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of Salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants (faithful stewards no longer as slaves but now friends having made abiding Peace) of GOD we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine (selfless) Love; by truthful speech, and the power of GOD; with the weapons of Righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has Righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has Light with darkness? What accord has (those clothed by) Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever (as in churchy religious under law folks)? What agreement has the temple (which is what you are) of GOD with idols? For we are the temple of the Living GOD; as GOD said, "I will make MY dwelling among them and walk among them, and I Will be their GOD, and they shall be MY (occupying as indwelling) people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the LORD, and touch no unclean thing; then I Will welcome you, and I Will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the LORD Almighty."
Ephesians 6:10-17, 18-20 "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 (as in churchy religious under law folks), 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 (as in churchy religious under law folks). Therefore take up (stay, remain clothed with) the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day (the religion of Law days of mans darkness), and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having (been clothed with Christ with) 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 (being instant in season and out of season with the Life restoring Living words of Christ) given by the Gospel of (Grace and ) peace (with GOD in man restored). 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 (Oracle) 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 those in religion under law folks to come out from among them kind of people), and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the Mystery (secret) of this Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
1Thessalonians 5:1-11 "Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the LORD will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (While I was proof reading this the LORD within me said, Where is peace and security? The world and the worlds church of religious law is looking for. Not knowing that those clothed with Christ are in Peace and Security in the LORD Christ, for HE is the I AM NOW I AM of Exodus 3:14.) But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of Light, children of the day (day here is NOW, this present Age of Grace). We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having on the breastplate (GOD's law) of Faith and Love, and for a helmet the hope of Salvation (our full healing of restoration and transformation of GOD's doing). For GOD has not destined us for wrath, but to (having) obtained Salvation through our LORD, Jesus Christ, Who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Now for a special thought, The Helmet of Salvation,
Isaiah 59:9-20, 21 "Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in (mans religion of laws and) gloom.
We grope for the wall like the blind; we grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among those in full vigor we are like dead men. We all growl like bears; we moan and moan like doves; we hope for justice, but there is none; for (the LORD's) salvation, but it is far from us. For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities: transgressing, and denying the LORD, and turning back from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words. Justice has turned back, and Righteousness stands far away; for Truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. The Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. NOW (in this Age of Grace) the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought him to Salvation, and His Righteousness upheld him. He who put on Righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of Salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, so will He repay, wrath to His adversaries, repayment to His enemies; to the coastlands He Will render repayment. So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His Glory from the rising of the sun; for He Will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives. "And a Redeemer Will come to Zion (GOD's secret place in His restored Temple of mans soul), to those in Jacob (as the apple of His eye) who turn from transgression," declared the LORD.
"And as for Me, this is My Covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit that is upon you, and My words that I have put in your mouth (into your understanding), shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring," says the LORD, "from this time forth and forevermore."
Ephesians 6:10-17 "Finally, be strong in the LORD and in the strength of His might. Having put on the whole armor of GOD (the Spirit of Christ and are now His occupation), 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 (being clothed in Christ as His occupation), 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 (His) Truth, and having put on the breastplate of (His) Righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the Gospel of (His) Peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of (His) Faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of (His) Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the (Living and abiding in you) word of GOD."
1Thessalonians 5:1-8 "Now concerning the times and the seasons, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day (this Age of Grace) of the LORD will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is (no) peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day (Age of Grace) to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of Light, children of the (Covenant of GOD's Grace in this Age and time of season or) day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do (in mans religion of law in ceremonies, rules, rites, traditions, customs, holidays as idolaters of spiritual fornication), but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who (who remain in religious law of) sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of Faith and Love, and for a helmet the hope of Salvation."
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