Daily Reading: Hebrews 13:1–21
May the God of peace . . . equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him. (Heb. 13:20–21)
Backpacking requires proper equipment. I know; I tried doing it with unsuitable equipment. All I got was wet, cold, and frustrated. For four years, my brother, daughter, son, and I took backpacking trips to the Appalachian Mountains. But it only took a couple trips with unsatisfactory equipment to steer us to the right gear.
We discovered waterproof and water resistant are not identical. All backpacks are not equal; nor are sleeping bags. And well-known manufacturers’ camping gear is usually preferable even if more expensive. When outfitted with the right equipment, the trip is always more pleasant.
Following a list of do’s and don’ts, the writer expressed that God’s children are prepared with sufficient equipment to produce holy life expressions and avoid unholy ones. Paul detailed the armor as belts of truth, breastplates of righteousness, feet carrying the gospel, shields of faith, helmets of salvation, swords of the Word, prayer, and alert spirits (Eph. 6:14–18).
Believers donning this armor and listening to their consciences experience success. Conscience is God’s moral compass directing us to right motives and actions when programmed consistently with principles from His Word.
Holy lifestyles belong on any journey of sanctification and are possible when we use the correct equipment. Attempting the journey with improper equipment invites failure.
Begin each day equipped with God’s armor.
Martin Wiles loves using his writing to help others move further in their journey toward spiritual maturity.
