My pastor, Hans Frei, preached on the Armor of God, from the sixth chapter of Ephesians. (I promise we’ll talk more about it when we read Ephesians together two books from now on the podcast.)
As usual, I came away with the desire to examine myself and my habits. God has gifted Hans with this wonderful perspective – so honest, so down to earth. It’s what attracted me to Lake Don Pedro Baptist and captivated me to stay these last 17 years.
I can pretty much wager that he will always analyze a Scripture from an angle that I have never considered before. This one was no exception. As an example, he suggested that we don’t put on that armor every day solely for our own protection. He said just as ancient armies mustered in rows and each row would hold up their shields to protect the row behind them, we too are fighting the fight for the good of our neighbor behind us. I loved that word picture and it motivates me to show up in battle array even on the days when I might not do it for my own defense.
Knowing the Word of God
But the moment I wanted to spring up and shout ‘Hallelujah” was when he got to the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Now, Hans is no Mary Poppins…he doesn’t usually dose us with a spoonful of sugar when he lays truth on us. At the same time, he doesn’t jump up and down and pound the podium either…we don’t go away feeling beat up. You can tell, however, when he is being no-nonsense serious.
He said, in no uncertain terms, that we need to know what the Word of God says. And considering we Americans can lay our hands on myriad translations of the Bible and have multiple media on which to consume it, we are without excuse. Amen!
You all know that I do a daily Bible-reading podcast because I believe the exact same thing. I understand it’s not always easy. I understand that we are busy. But short of receiving Christ’s free gift of grace, there is no knowledge that is more important.
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below or the Contact page at Lifting Her Voice. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so you can start conversations pretty much anywhere!
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