Ephesians 6:10: Finally, Be Strong in the Lord

Ephesians 6:10
[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (ESV)

Sometimes the last words said are the most important. The Apostle Paul has taken us on a journey in this letter to the church at Ephesus.  We have discovered God's sovereign plan to redeem us, not by our works, but by his free gift of grace.  We have learned deep theological truths of what it means to belong to the kingdom of God and how that is very different from the kingdom of this world we live in.  We then learned how we are to practically live out all that we believe.  Our beliefs direct our actions.

Now, in the last chapter of this book, Paul says, "Finally."  In the coming verses he is going to describe a vivid reality that we are at war with spiritual forces that want to destroy us.  Before he set us free to engage in that terrible battle he had to teach us who we were and what we were to believe.  Now he says, "Finally."  These next verses are the final preparations for battle. 

I am reminded of those soldiers who join the U.S. military.  They have basic training, in which they get their bodies into proper physical shape.  Then they have schooling in a particular aspect of battle which will be their specialty.  There is schooling.  There is testing.  There is practice.  But, imagine that the day comes and they get their orders for battle.  That commanding officer is going to give them the final preparation for what they are about to face.  Finally.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. As you get ready to put on your battle armor you must understand that all of the strength that you need is given to you by your King, and commanding officer, Jesus Christ.  The battle will be real.  There will be casualties.  You might die in the battle.  But you will live forever.  Finally. 

How prepared are you for the coming battle?  Have you already been wounded?  Go to the Savior today and ask him to equip you for the battle ahead.