Page 177 - Ephesians

chapter 5, where we were responsible to walk in the light of the
Lord, in the joy of the Lord, and in union with the Lord.

In order to get this truth meaningfully before you, let me identify
the principle illustration used here. I pointed out last time, that
you’ve got to distinguish between the illustration, and the truth
itself. Thousands of Christians look to the illustration alone. They
get so hung up on the picture, that they completely miss the
reality. People will say chapter 5 is a passage on light, or on
wine, or on family. It’s NOT. It’s a passage on union with
Christ, illustrated by the family. The husband and wife
relationship, is not His point. He said that he wasn’t speaking
about that. He was speaking about Christ and the Church.

In chapter 6:10-20, the physical illustration is a Roman soldier
dressed in his armor. After being chained to one for four years,
the image of a Roman soldier and his armor was burned into
Paul’s being. Now remember, they changed guards every 4-6
hours for four years.

Some people who don’t understand the illustration, draw spiritual
truths that are not Biblical. They say things like, “Have you ever
noticed that there is no armor for the back? Therefore, when
people turn around or backslide, they’re in big trouble. If you turn
around, and run from the Lord, then Satan will have an opening.
You’ll be exposed, because there is no armor for the back.” Well,
that kind of interpretation shows you haven’t understood the
illustration.

Because in 6:14, you have the armor for the back, it’s called the
“Breastplate of righteousness”. You might say, “It’s just the
breastplate and not the back plate”. Well, if you understood
Roman armor, you’d know that the breastplate went over the
head, and covered the back, as well as the front. It provided all
around protection. I’m trying to show that you need to see the
illustration first, before you can draw your principles from it.
Whatever God is illustrating by the Roman armor, He’s certainly
not suggesting that the soldier is exposed to injury.