“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25
In the Apostle John’s book of Revelation, he has a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ in His glory and power. That which characterized John in order for this to occur is revealed to us by the following declaration: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet.” (1:10) The vision of Christ was specific to John’s need at the time, and that also of the churches of Asia. It was possible, and occured, because of the ministry of the Spirit of God in and upon John. He was “…in the Spirit.” What does this mean? Had John been beforehand taken out of Christ, and was no longer baptized into Christ, and thus, needed the Spirit to baptize him and anoint him again? No. But in order for us to grasp something of the meaning and importance of the phrase, “…in the Spirit,” he brings before us this magnificent and overwhelming vision of Christ, not only by what he would see, but by the Lord’s specific words were to him. John, before receiving the vision was “in the Spirit,” but when the vision came, the magnitude of him being “in the Spirit” was most extraordinary. He was filled with the Spirit, but in a particular way. It is not so much an issue of state of being, having the Spirit, but the magnitude working, and moving of the Spirit. The prophets of the Old Testament would also see the glory of God, and communicate to His people the magnitude of the vision by the Spirit. So, why do we speak of being in the Spirit when we consider Christ as our armor? It has to do with “magnitude.” We know that as faith comes from God in the measure that He reveals Himself through His word. We know also that the magnitude of the vision of God will determine in great part the magnitude of faith. If the believer is to trust God for a grasp of not only the reality of Christ being our armor, but also of the power and effectiveness of that armor, then we must see this matter as the Father sees it. In taking Christ as our armor, we are taking the Alpha and Omega, His power and authority, not only to put on the specific armor, but to live in accordance with it. The Christian is called to engage in a battle with Satan, the world, and sin. Essential to the realizing of this victory over these foes is the vision of Christ as our armor, our power and strength. Paul’s specific words to the Ephesian believers concerning this armor are esential if we would appropriate Christ’s victory and power.
In chapter six of the letter to the Ephesians, the apostle begins with a command: “…be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” (6:10) We always begin with Chist in any and every endeavor, specifically here with His strength and power. This power we need to put on His armor. Paul goes on to reveal the purpose of putting on the whole armor, “…that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (v.11) Again, essential to overcoming is both the power to overcome, but also the armor by which the power operates. In this wrestling with the powers of darkness, we take this armor, and then stand, resist and overcome. This armor begins with the knowledge of the truth, then Christ’s righteousness in His blood. The soldier is prepared in his knowledge of the gospel of peace, taking the shield of fiath. the helment of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, all the time praying in the Spirit.
Charles Wesley wrote the following: “Stand then in His great might, With all His strength endued; And take, to arm you for the fight, the panoply of God.” Herein is Christ’s victory appropriated.
Dear Father, Empower us by Thy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.