At the end of a difficult day of work and taking care of all the business of life, of keeping the house in order, fixing dinner and cleaning up afterward, it is not uncommon for me to collapse on the couch to rest and watch TV. The struggles of what is required in life can be exhausting.
Now as we approach the end of Ephesians we hear some encouragement as to how we should face the struggles of faith. With whom are our struggles? What should we do to be prepared?
Although a life of faith can be fulfilling and rewarding, it is not always easy. This passage points out the enemies we face. We are not in conflict with other people, although it may seem that way. We are struggling against the rulers and authorities of this world.
This does not mean we are in opposition to our government and elected officials. We are in conflict with those ideas and prevailing concepts that have authority in our culture – the prevailing trends of selfishness, greed and carnal pleasures. We are in conflict with the temptation to do the wrong thing because everyone else is doing it.
Some may believe all the problems and temptations in life are the direct result of Satan, the physical being that wields the power of evil. Others may see that the temptations and trials of life are simply the accumulated weight and force of the sinful, human nature. It is humanity’s tendency to do what humanity desires that causes problems and is our enemy.
Whichever view you choose to take, or one that may fall in between the two, the struggles are real. There is an enemy to the faith that exists. As believers we are called to face these enemies, these problems and challenges, these temptations and lures. We must overcome them with our own strength in our faith.
Ephesians has taught us that we are loved by God and saved by Christ. It has shown us that we are called to shine the light of God’s love on all the world and to allow the Holy Spirit to give us a new vision in our faith. We have been taught to follow the direction and leading of God, to walk in step with the Lord and each other, and to live in relationships of mutual support and love.
Now we are equipped with what we need to be Christians strong in our faith. We are encouraged to put on the armor of God, those aspects which will give us the ability to live out all these requirements of holy living. And once we are able to overcome the trials of life we will not collapse exhausted. Instead we will be equipped to continue standing strong in our faith.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Can you identify the rulers, powers and authorities that exist in your life to make it difficult to live a holy life?
