RHAPSODY OF REALITIES.
Fully Dressed And Equipped For Life · saturday, june 22nd ·

Pastor Chris

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Our theme scripture enumerates for us the fivefold ministry gifts, which the Lord gave to the Church. These are the offices of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The twelfth verse, however, tells us the purpose for which He gave these ministry gifts to the body of Christ: it’s for the "perfecting" of the saints.

The word "perfecting" comes from the Greek, "katartismos," which means to be fully dressed, furnished, or equipped to the point of lacking nothing. This means that God anoints men and women into any of these five ministries, to bring His people into a place of maturity in Christ, where they’re "fully dressed" and equipped to fulfil God’s plans.

Now, Ephesians 6:11 enjoins us to put on the whole armour of God, so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. However, to put on the armour, you’d have to first know what it is. Also, you’d have to be taught from the Word how to put it on through faith. These are part of the responsibilities of the pastor or teacher or of any of the fivefold ministry gifts, to bring you the knowledge of God’s Word, so you can walk in the light of it.

Some Christians have never been adequately taught the Word of God; hence, they’re not "fully dressed" or equipped for life. Although they’re physically dressed, they’re exposed spiritually, making them vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy.

Now, the problem isn’t so much that Satan attacks them, but that they’re "injured" from his attacks, which shouldn’t have been, had they been fully dressed with the whole armour of God. When you have the armour on, Satan can attack you all he wants to, but you’re unperturbed, because you’re dress-ready for battle and fortified against him.

Confession

I’m strengthened, for t i f ied, and energized for victory through the power of God’s Word, and the might of the Spirit. I maintain my victory and dominion over Satan and the forces of darkness today, and with my divine armoury, I extinguish all the fiery darts of the wicked, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Ephesians 6:13-18

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Acts 10:1-23, Ezra 4-6

2 Year Reading Plan : Luke 3:1-11, Deuteronomy 20