Life Is War

Again, one hears echoes from Isaiah about the Messiah here (Isa 11:4; 49:2; cf. Rev 19:15). We are given access to the weaponry of the Messiah for battle when we are united with Him. We are to speak the gospel in the realm of darkness so that those who are held captive by the evil one may go free.

I always enjoy visiting places that have old weapons, especially swords. Sometimes you can see the really big swords in the museums. Some of them weigh more than I do. What many think, as they hold or look on these massive swords, is that they are interesting but practically useless for modern warfare. No one would recommend them to be issued to troops today. How similar this is to their opinion of the Bible. Many people admire the Bible and may put the Bible on display in their homes somewhere (normally a huge Bible), but some of these same people never use the Bible. Why? They deem it like an ancient sword, useless for modern warfare.

This should not surprise us. In the garden the evil one raised doubt and suspicion about God's word. But do not be deceived. You can trust God's Word. You need God's Word. Do not go into battle without a sword. Read it. Meditate on it. Pray it. Proclaim it.

What about the soldier's back? Paul mentions no equipment for the backside. I find it interesting that in Pilgrim's Progress Bunyan says because Christian had no armor for his back, the best option was to stand his ground. Let us hold our ground against the evil one, with our armor on, as we advance the gospel into the world.

Be Devoted to Prayer

Ephesians 6:18-20

Paul does not begin a new sentence in verse 18. It is a continuation of thought. We stand firm against the enemy's schemes through prayer. We are to take up the sword of the Spirit prayerfully.

Unlike the other items previously mentioned, prayer is not associated with a piece of armor or equipment. However, a modern piece of equipment does comes to mind: a walkie-talkie. Piper uses this picture in describing prayer:

183We cannot know what prayer is for until we know that life is war. Life is war. That's not all it is. But it is certainly that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth. Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that prayer malfunctions when we try to make it a domestic intercom to call upstairs for more comforts in the den. God has given us prayer as a wartime walkie-talkie so that we can call headquarters for everything we need as the kingdom of Christ advances in the world. (Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad, 41)

While such a device is not in Paul's mind, prayer is the means by which we call on God to help us in our battle. What a gift it is to be able to communicate with our God.

When Paul says, "Pray at all times in the Spirit," I do not think he is referring to "speaking in tongues." We should understand Paul's words in light of the rest of Ephesians. We should simply take it as a fact that all true prayer is by the Spirit. We come to the Father, through Christ, by the Spirit. And because of the gift of the Spirit, the Christian warrior has constant access to God in the midst of the war (2:18; cf. 3:16; Jude 20; Rom 8:26).

Let me mention just two parts of this Spirit-enabled prayer.

Paul mentions four universals (four "alls") to express the comprehensiveness of prayer. We pray "at all times." So everywhere, all the time, we can pray.

We pray "with all prayer and supplication" (ESV). I doubt a sharp distinction is intended here with these two words. Paul is simply emphasizing faithful prayer.

We should stay alert "with all perseverance." Like good soldiers, we need to keep alert and not fall asleep. This idea appeared in the ministry of Jesus, who encouraged His disciples to "stay awake and pray" in light of temptation and the weakness of the flesh (Mark 14:38) and in view of the return of Christ (Mark 13:32-37; cf. 1 Pet 4:7). We read about persistence and perseverance in prayer elsewhere in the New Testament (Acts 2:42; 4:23-31; 6:4; 12:5; Rom 12:12; Col 4:2). We need to persist in prayer to overcome fatigue, discouragement, and hardship, and for boldness in our witness.

184The last "all" is making intercession "for all the saints." The unity of the church has been a major concern in the letter. Now Paul says we should pray for all other Christians. When you become a Christian, you get a new family, which means a new responsibility to pray for them.

The focus on "all" emphasizes the fact that because all of life is war, all of life must be lived in prayer. Since there is a war, pray. Pray all the time. Pray with all perseverance and supplication. Pray alertly and persistently. Pray for all the saints.

Paul, the prisoner in chains, humbly requests prayer from others because he wants to communicate the good news boldly and effectively. The greatest theologian-missionary of all times is asking for prayer! That should encourage you! He has the position (as do we) of being an "ambassador," a representative of Jesus; but, he knows he does not have sufficient resources to communicate the gospel effectively, so he calls on the church to pray for him. Instead of feeling self-pity or resentment, he asks for prayer for the mission!

Pray for others as they share the gospel. Why? Satan does not want us to have the right words to say or to be bold in the face of conflict. Evangelism is spiritual warfare. The culture opposes it. So we need God's power to do it faithfully. Paul experienced the Lord's presence in his own imprisonment. He writes,

At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. (2 Tim 4:16-17)

Final Remarks

Ephesians 6:21-24

After speaking of his need for God's power to speak the word and of his imprisonment, Paul closes with a reminder about his particular situation. Here we see that Paul was not just a theologian-missionary-church planter. He was a lover of people. In his letters he thanks people.

Tychicus is one of the brothers that made up the family of God. He served with Paul for some time (Acts 20:4; Col 4:7; 2 Tim 4:12;185 Titus 3:12). Tychicus may have delivered the letter to Ephesus (as well as the letter to the Colossians). Can you imagine that task?

Paul sends him to "encourage your hearts" (v. 22). What a great ministry! In many ways Tychicus does what every missionary-preacher-evangelist does. He spreads the Word and encourages the saints.

In the benediction (vv. 23-24) Paul concludes by using the words with which he began his letter: peace and grace (cf. 1:2). He also mentions faith and love. It is appropriate to mention love three times in a letter that emphasizes the unfathomable love of God. This love, faith, grace, and peace all flow from God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But notice that Paul adds something here that he has not mentioned in regard to love explicitly (though it has been implied), namely, their love for Christ. He closes with a statement about their personal relationship with Christ. Paul has told them of God's great love, but now I must ask, Do you love Christ? Do you love Him? Are you a Christian? Have you turned from sin and placed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you love Him with an "undying love" that will go on into eternity?

What a great question to end such a letter. Let us love Jesus! Soon we will see Him, and then we will put our weapons down. Then we will not regret having put all our trust in His perfect work, and we will not regret having been faithful soldiers engaged in His mission.

Reflect and Discuss

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