Having Done All

… and having done all, to stand. (Eph. 6:13b)

What is the “all” that I must do before I “stand”? I pray, Holy Spirit, that You would please give me the insight You desire me to have for today, for myself and for my family.

This verse uses the same Greek word, katergazomai, which is translated “done” in Eph. 6:1, and translated “work out” in Php. 2:12. It means to work fully, that is, accomplish; by implication to finish, fashion: - cause, do (deed), perform, work (out) (Strongs). It seems to be along the same lines as Eph. 6:10-13:

Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. (Php 2:12-13 AMP)

So, by working out my own salvation--in God’s strength seeking to please Him in everything I do--I am actually doing spiritual warfare against the “spirit forces of wickedness” (Eph. 6:12). I am actually becoming an overcomer (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible, entry for Eph. 6:13). The battle is not to go find the evil spirits and do battle with them directly. That is something the Lord must, and will, do on my behalf. But by obeying God with fear and trembling, in His strength, I am overcoming the evil one’s attacks against me.

Lord, work in me both to will and to work for Your good pleasure, satisfaction, and delight. Put Your energy in me, and help me not to try to do it on my own steam. Create in me both the power and the desire to cooperate with You as You fully complete the work You have begun in me. Transform me on the inside into Your very image. Align my will, thoughts, and emotions with Yours. Your work is effectual and mighty in me. Show forth Yourself within me in power.

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. (Php 1:6 AMP)

(If you want to read more about this, please see related post, "Standing.")

The Secret of Getting Dressed

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. [Isa. 52:7.] Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). (Eph 6:10-18 AMP)

Thank You, Lord, for the armor You provide (Eph. 6:10-18). You do not leave us defenseless against the attacks of the enemy. I do not have to enter the day unprepared. Instead, I can ask for and receive Your protection as I go forth, confident that the armor You have given me is sufficient to deflect every attack, whether it be in thought, word, or deed. I do not need to run through the day ducking for cover, but I can stride confidently into the battlefield, for I am protected by You. You do not desire to beat me down (that is a lie of the enemy). You desire me to overcome! And You promise many rewards to me when I do:

· To eat of the tree of life in the paradise of God (Rev. 2:7);
· To be in no way injured by the second death (2:11);
· To eat of the manna that is hidden (2:17);
· A new name engraved on a white stone (2:17);
· Authority and power over the nations (2:26);
· White garments (3:5)
· Name in the Book of Life (3:5);
· Acknowledged as belonging to Jesus (3:5)
· Name confessed by Jesus before His Father and the angels (3:5);
· To be a pillar in the sanctuary of God (3:12);
· To never be cast out of His presence (3:12);
· To be given the name of God, the city of God, and Jesus’ own new name (3:12);
· To sit beside Jesus on His throne (3:21);
· To inherit the new heaven and new earth, and the new Jerusalem, where God will personally be with us and be our God, where He will wipe away every tear and remove death, sorrow, and pain, and where we will drink from the springs of the water of life (21:1-7);
· To be God’s son and He our God (21:7).

What a progression. From the outer courts into the inner sanctuary, we are given many great and precious promises (2 Pet. 1:4)! We go from being allowed to eat of the tree of life (eternal life), to eating the hidden manna (revelation of the mysteries of God), to increased authority and privilege until we realize that we have been received into the very innermost circle—the circle of the Trinity—sharing in the Jesus’ own position as the Son.

And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. (Rom 8:17 AMP)

This is far beyond my comprehension. I am probably stating it badly. I do not mean that we will become God. But God did say that we are His children, His heirs alongside Christ … that is worth thinking on! And even in the above verse, the prerequisite of overcoming is implied. We “must share His suffering” in order to “share His glory.” And we are not unprotected!

For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. (2Pe 1:3-4 AMP)

Lord, give me that knowledge of You. Make me able to escape the rottenness and corruption that seeks to overcome me and become a sharer (wow!) in Your divine nature. You will fulfill every desire of my heart for love, acceptance, greatness, honor, recognition, power, and authority. And the way is through You. Protect me with Your armor of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and Your Word so that I may stand my ground, drawing my strength from You. You are my goal. You are the end of my journey. Thank You that You are also with me every step along the way. I will not be afraid, but I will trust in You!