It is no wonder how much a soldier of either biblical times or in our modern society had or has to carry heavy equipment into battle. According to how much did roman military gear weigh in biblical days - Google Search a Roman soldier carried anywhere from 66 to 100 pounds, while our soldiers today carry from 60 to 90 pounds as well.
Can you imagine carrying that much weight? Even in my youth, I couldn't have. But Roman soldiers did it as well as our men and women military do today.
Military gear is heavy and yet to be able to stand against the enemy, a soldier has to have it. But what has that got to do with what the Apostle Paul was trying to convey to the Christians of his day? And then consequently for us today.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes you will be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted from the gospel of peace. Take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all of the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:11-17.
The battle rages on. And it will rage on until Jesus comes back. It is a battle of good and evil and our lives today can be full of darkness. Because the devil is still around, just like he was in the days of Paul. Maybe you have experienced it? Alcoholism, child abuse, spousal abuse, certainly drug abuse which has been running in the news lately and much more. These are all a result of sin. Sin that has their roots in the devil's schemes to keep us or take us away from God's will for us.
Sin that is heavy and can weigh us down so much that we can fall into depression and may even be the root of some of the diseases of today.
That is why Ephesians 6:11-17 is so important for us even for us in this modern world in which we live. Because if we think about it, and if we apply it to our lives, actually the weight that the devil wants to place on us, has to fall off. He has to flee from us as we submit to God. James 4:7.
Having to carry the gear of the military is a heavy but necessary burden for those that carry it. But having to carry the weight of the sin of this world is so much heavier without the armor of God's word. But we can win the war. The battle within us can be over. Because even when we sin, we have God to go to and he forgives us. His burden is light.
Come to me all you that are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Mathew 11:28-30.
Do you see that? We do not have to carry the weight of sin and darkness on our backs. God's burden is light if we trust in him. And putting on the full armor of his word is our defense against the heaviness that the devil gives us. Why would we not want to exchange the devil's burden for God's?
If you have never trusted God. If you have not traded in the devil's burden for God's, you can right now. Just pray the following prayer and if you sincerely mean it, you will begin a new life in Jesus. It does not matter who you are. Or where you come from. It does not matter what you have done. You don't have to get your sin cleaned up before you can ask Jesus to come into your life. In fact, you can't do that before you ask Jesus to come into your life. You have to ask his forgiveness so he can clean it up. Do it now. He is waiting for you.
Thanks for your visit today Friends. Please come back for Happy Fall
in tomorrows blog. And have a blessed day!
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