Power going into Camp

Power. Authority. These are big topics and it is hard to know where to begin when talking about them. We may see the recent terror attacks as the most tangible examples of power as some people use fear, intimidation, and panic to show their influence. The intensity of the US political situation shows how important the question of authority is. Outside the large picture of world events, we all have power struggles in our own lives. Arguing over the remote or deciding whether or not to eat another cookie, both show the personal and even internal struggle with power and authority. The theme of this year’s English Camp is Power and Authority, and so I have been giving this topic a lot of thought. Part of my preparations has included putting together a few devotionals for the team. For three of the days at camp, we will look through the first few chapters of Ephesians and consider what they teach about love, unity, power and forgiveness. In reading through the book of Ephesians (and listening to a recent sermon series on the book) I thought Ephesians 6:10-20 would make a good pre-camp bible study. Below are some thoughts on this text:

Ephesians 6: 10-20

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

            Until recently, every time I read through this passage I glossed over the purpose of this text and focused on the applications. Why does Paul include this call to devotion and dedication to God and scripture? The book of Ephesians is Paul’s letter to the largely gentile church in Ephesus. From the letter, we see that unity was a major concern, especially between Jew and Gentile. The church in Ephesus was also learning how to live as followers of Christ and not as their pagan friends and neighbors. Paul addresses this text to the Ephesians after having written about these other topics. His direct reason is in verse 12. He tells them that the struggle isn’t against men and women but rather the powers and authorities within the world. Those saved by God are united in Christ, set apart from the world, and will battle spiritual attacks. As I read the text, the idea of struggling with dark spiritual forces just didn’t seem real to me. Two things helped me understand not only the reality of the struggle, but my own inability to handle it. The first thing was English Camp, especially last years camp experience. At last years English Camp, I struggled with my own sin and failures. It was a real struggle with “the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” In God’s mercy, these powers did not win and I was given freedom. (Click here to read about it).

The second thing that helped me understand this was C. S. Lewis’ The Space Trilogy. These books describe the struggle of verse 12 via science fiction, bringing imaginative descriptions and ideas of how we struggle with evil. The battle we are being equipped to fight through this letter is against not just the evil present in the world, but also the evil present in our selves. As I prepare for English Camp, as you prepare for your next day of work or school or holiday, we will be faced with temptations and trials. The power we have will be displayed as we respond to these events, weather it is our own power giving into fear, pride, or selfishness or God’s power producing the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control. That is the struggle. But how do we defend or prepare for it? That is what Paul tells us in the next few verses.

            Paul uses the metaphor of battle dress to describe how we fight by the power of God against the evil within and without. First, we have God’s truth as our belt. We rely on the veracity of who God is and what He has done for us to hold together our defense. We have the righteousness of Christ as a breast plate or bulletproof vest. Jesus, who lived a perfect life keeping God’s law without error, has given this righteousness to cover the believer. We are ready to go and share the gospel because it is the good news that Jesus’ righteousness covers sin and is given freely. The believer is assured of this by faith, which acts as a shield. By faith we fight against the evil powers and authorities, believing in the victory won by Christ. Salvation guards our head and God’s word, the Bible, is in our hands as we come up against all the trails, temptations, and challenges of our lives. God has given us His word to teach, rebuke, correct and train us so that we may be completely equipped for this life.

            As I prepare for English Camp again this year, I go with this in mind. I have the full armor of God and fight in His power. Yes, there will be struggles, flaming arrows of the evil one. I will see more of my sin and failings. I may find myself in difficult conversations or fearful about what to do next. But the armor of God protects and equips me. Christ’s righteousness covers my sin and failings. The gospel is true and it is good news that carries me on.

            The last few verses are equally important to remember. Prayer is an important part of the Christian life. As we respond to the Gospel and take seriously Paul’s call here to be equipped for the battle, we do so in a relationship with God. As a relationship, we must be communicating. Paul tells us to pray “with all kinds of prayers.” Look to the Psalms for the breadth of prayers we pray. From high praise and adoration to utter despair and depression, God calls us to share our thoughts and emotions with Him. We pray also for others. I will be working with a team. There will be about 40 campers. I will worship with the church in Česká Třebová. I will meet strangers on the plains and trains. This passage calls me to pray for all these people, for their faith and the proclamation of the Gospel. And I ask you also, join me in prayer. Pray for the English Camp, leaders and students. Pray for the travel. Pray for your own struggle with sin. Pray for the proclamation of the Gospel. Pray that Christ’s death and resurrection would be fearlessly proclaimed, as it should.