The Armour of God
EPHESIANS 6:10-20; PSALM 144; LUKE 13:31-35
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph.6:11). This is not an amour against physical battles like an armoured vehicle or bulletproof car. In physical battle Christ is value-neutral. He would rather say ‘love your enemies” while he exhorts us “not to fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt.10:28).
If the above biblical passage above is correct, it means that the statement “you can’t kill me” is wrong and unchristian. Anybody can be killed, at the beginning Cain killed Abel, even Jesus was killed, in today’s gospel the Pharisees came to warn Jesus that he must leave Jerusalem or he will die at the hands of Herod. Jesus made them to understand that it is his fate as a prophet to die. Many of the apostles were killed, those we celebrate as martyrs were killed, many holy men and women of old were killed, Fr. Christopher Odia was killed.
‘You can kill me, but you cannot kill my soul.’ Many Christians suffer from spiritual arrogance, which causes them to be proud when they should fear God, accept the truth, and be humble. Does this now suggest that we should throw caution to the wind? The answer is no. But while we take precautions we must equally know that “…whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Rom14:8)
The full armor of God: truth, breastplate of righteousness, the gospel, shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit and prayer are the tools God has provided for us to be spiritually triumphant; resist doubt; false doctrine and Satan’s deceptions or temptations.
LET US PRAY
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.
