Battle Ready

In 1776, the Revolutionary War was taking place. America was fighting for its independence from British rule. Being ready for attack at any minute, there was a group of men who were designated as “minute men”. Their job was to “be ready at a minutes notice”.

The reason? They knew that war was coming. They knew that they needed to be prepared. They knew that their freedom and the freedom of their families depended on it.

Here’s a thought though, what if they never prepared for battle?

We are told in Ephesians that we are in a spiritual battle, not 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. (Ephesians 6:12)

We don’t get to choose when this battle takes place, and honestly, it is always going on around us. But we aren’t left without any weapons to fight this battle.

Paul goes on to list the weapons we use: Stand therefore, having 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 given by the Gospel of peace. 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 of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17)

We aren’t just left to fight this battle without any weapons, God has granted us with the weapons we need. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:4).

So we are in the battle, we have the weapons, but how is our training? How are we actually going about mastering these weapons that we have?

Many people have the sword, but do we know how to wield it? And this sword is not just the Bible. The Greek word for written word (the entire Bible) is Logos. That’s not the term used here when we are told that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God (logos of God).

Instead, Paul uses a different word, rhema. This word is used in the sense of having a word from the Holy Spirit at the moment that you need it. Jesus in the wilderness is a great example of this. Three times Satan tempted Jesus, and three times Jesus responded with a rhema, a specific passage from God’s Word to go on the attack.

Jesus knew the importance of not just knowing the Bible, but truly knowing the Bible and memorizing it, because He knew the battle was going to come. We know the battle is coming, and is already here, but are we preparing for it? Because it’s not just our freedom from sin and death that is at risk, it’s also the freedom of our families, friends, and loved ones as well. Take time this week to make yourself battle ready.



Upcoming Events at Center
August 26 is the Back-to-School Carnival in the Columbus City Park. We will have a tent set up and will be passing out goody-bags as well as having a game for the kids. If you would like to help out with this, let Andy or Curt know.

September 26 is our Talent Night and Ice Cream Social. Make sure that you are practicing up on your talent. Let Janice know if you are performing, or sign up on the sheet in the foyer at the church.

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