Nothing for the Back
Once again, a small statement included within a sermon chock full of thought-provoking truths is the inspiration for today’s article. Michael Grooms, Willow Avenue’s pulpit minister, recently made the simple statement noting that, in the list of our Christian armor (found in Ephesians 6:10-18), there are no pieces of the armor for the back of our bodies. He went on to point out that we are to constantly be moving forward toward our goal of heaven and taking others with us, not retreating.
I don’t know about you, but many times in today’s world, I feel like I am on the defensive. My morality doesn’t fit with the crowd. My stance on several social and even political issues is seen as “out-of-step” with the acceptable way to view things.
May we remember that being on the defensive does not mean we must be afraid. Depending on where you look, the following is an axiom, and idiom, or a quote attributed to Jack Dempsey. Wherever it originated, it definitely applies in our thinking today: “The best defense is a good offense.” And as children of God, we have the best offensive objective and team around!
Paul reminded Timothy that “…God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). We have no need to fear, because, as God’s children, we are told, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
I need no armor for the back, when I am “[pressing] on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
AUTHOR: Amber Tatum
