Stronger Together

Description

Open Edition Reproduction

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12.

We put on the armour of God so that we are able to stand our ground. The shield of faith is our protection. In the Roman times that Paul wrote his analogy of armour, armies fought in close formation and shields allowed the Romans to approach close to the enemy unopposed. Their shields were valued higher than swords.

Paul describes ‘putting on the armour of God’ to the Ephesians who would have understood Roman combat. The infantry legion marched and fought together. Behind a wall of shields, it was formation fighting, fighting in a close tight-knit community. The battle is not yours to fight alone.

We are stronger in community. When we surround ourselves with people of faith we are shielded as we fight. Our faith cross-pollinates. We borrow each other’s faith. If one struggles, there is someone on either side to fight for them until they are strengthened. We are ‘stronger together’.

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16.

Title: Stronger Together || Artist: Wendy Manzo || Painted: ‘Faith Strong’ World Changers Church conference, Gold Coast, 6 August 2022