The Goodness of God in Gearing Up

Every believer stands in one of three places: preparing, battling, or healing. This war doesn’t stop—but neither does God's Church.

May 13, 2025

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18, ESV).

collage by author, images from Unsplash and DigitalScrapbook

Growing up, I sang the old song "Onward, Christian Soldiers" regularly—but just the first verse. It was the early 1970s, and the adults knew of the dangers "out there": Vietnam, the draft, gasoline shortages, a president caught in scandal (mild compared to presidential behaviors of the last ten years), and uncertainty about the economy.

Wars, famines, and hate fill the news. Scandals and uncertainty command the airwaves. The battle for unity in the Church hasn't ended yet. I haven't heard that song in decades, except the Salvation Army band during the Tournament of Roses Parade, but until Jesus returns, we are still engaged. I only remember singing the first verse and chorus as a child, but the African American Heritage Hymnal (2001) has this for the second verse:

Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Christians, we are treading
Where the saints have trod,
We are not divided,
All one body we:
One in hope and one in faith,
One in charity.

Isn’t that magnificent? As the Church, we fight the powers and principalities of this world together, unified under the banner of Jesus. His promise leads us to victory and eternity with Him. In the meantime, however, we need to be ready for the battle for the hearts and souls of the people for whom Jesus died. We must not be caught off guard when our faith is challenged by the world—or the false teachers who infiltrate local churches. We must gear up.

In the military, tactical gear includes elements for both protection and mission operation. There are three fundamental layers of gear that every soldier keeps at the ready at all times: survival, mission, and operation. Protective survival gear forms the foundational base for everything else; it's impossible to carry out a mission if the soldier is injured or dead. Protective gear is never put away during a mission—it becomes a second skin that must be carefully maintained. Mission-necessary gear includes all the tools for successfully carrying out the assignment. Unlike the survival layer, mission gear can be taken off while at rest away from the front line. It must remain close at hand, but the burden can be temporarily relinquished. Operational gear allows a soldier to remain in the field for extended periods. It is moveable and not essential for the mission itself, but it supports the soldier’s time away from base. It may include a backpack, camping gear, food, or transportation.

When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he used military armor to illustrate the critical nature of preparation for cultural attacks. At the time, the threat to Christians was visible and terrifying; these were the days under Nero, whose insane savagery is still legendary for its cruelty. Threats to Western Christians today are much more insidious. They hide in words that sound familiar and good, but their effects on the unity of the Church are as destructive as bodily harm. First-century Christians needed to gear up for battle against false teachings and physical death; modern Christians must maintain their readiness to defend the gospel against false teachers of prosperity and relativism within and cultural attacks without.

The full armor of God mirrors the gear soldiers wear for battle. Military tactical gear features designs and materials that protect vital organs. It can be heavy—up to 70 pounds—even with 21st-century lightweight materials. Each piece requires careful inspection before and after use to ensure it will perform the task for which it was designed. Helmets must fit and be without structural flaws. Body armor must be checked for tears, moisture damage, and cracks. Boots, eye protection, and ear protection require maintenance for optimal performance.

Similarly, Christians need to maintain the armor of God. The belt of truth must not be damaged by relativism. The breastplate of righteousness requires daily time in the Word. Feet must be shod with the good news of the gospel of peace so that wherever we go, we can default to grace for our testimony to the world. We pray continuously, staying alert to the dangers around us and interceding for our brothers and sisters—whether they are in active battle, preparing for the fight, or recovering from it. There is no downtime in the war against the darkness of the world we live in.

There is a time for preparation, a time for action, and a time for restoration. Preparation is the first layer of gear: time in the Word, sound teaching, and prayer. Action looks different for everyone, depending on their location on the front lines. Some may be called to preach, teach, or lead. Others may show hospitality in love, even to those in opposition (Romans 12). Still others carry gifts of faith, encouragement, and giving. Each believer has a role to play in the battle against the ruler of this world, and all must use their giftings to serve others in humility (1 Peter 4; Philippians 2; Ephesians 4). In the heat of battle, soldiers can be worn down and injured. They must retreat to be healed and restored. The cycle of the Christian life is similar: preparation leads to action, which then requires restoration. It is in restoration that believers must submit to the ministrations of others—to take time for rest, reflection, and then preparation for the next round.

Each believer lives in one of those three times: preparation, action, or restoration. Part of Christian unity is understanding where our brothers and sisters may be. Are they preparing? In action? Are they being restored? Recognizing these times in others is an opportunity to show grace, meet needs, and strengthen others. Loving each other the way Jesus loves us--the essence of defaulting to grace--brings us all together. When we unite in battle, whatever our position, we will sing together the last verse of that old hymn:

Onward, then, ye people,
Join our happy throng;
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor
Unto Christ the King:
This through countless ages
With the angels sing.

Defaulting to Grace

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