After exiting the Colosseum, our small group of 15 joined up with everyone else from the big group of 80 from Inspiration Travel. And there “in the shadow” of the Colosseum, Pastor Jack Grahm gave a devotional challenge to us from Ephesians 6 … about the Armor of God for the arena!
Here you can see Pastor Jack speaking to us. He is directly underneath the pedestrian sign, with orange lanyards around his neck.
As I stood there gazing at the Colosseum in the background, hearing how we each are “gladiators” fighting a spiritual battle in the arena of life … it was very powerful and very moving!
Ephesians 6 took on an entirely new meaning for me that day … as I put myself there in the arena as a spiritual “gladiator” with my Armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-13 – “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
I imagine myself standing there on the floor of the arena … the trap door opens from underneath … and a huge, powerful, vicious lion emerges from beneath. The lion slowly circles me, eyeing me the whole time. The sun beats down mercilessly overhead. Sweat rolls down my back.
My Sword for slaying the fierce menacing lion is in its scabbard, attached to my belt of Truth.
If I do not have my belt of Truth buckled around my waist, there will be nothing to hold my sword at my side.
The lion is sizing me up, looking for any weakness. But I have my breastplate of Righteousness on … protecting my heart and vital organs.
I shift and turn, keeping my face always toward the lion … my feet are firm and steady beneath me, fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of Peace.
In a sudden powerful lunge, the lion attacks! … teeth barred and bent on the kill. I fend off the attack, knocking the lion backwards with my shield of Faith. Razor-sharp claws scrape against my helmet of Salvation … but I am protected and safe from harm.
I draw my Sword of the Sprit (which is the Word of God) from its scabbard and deliver a fatal blow! The lion falls, limp and unmoving, at my feet.
My heart is pounding! My muscles are tense! My breath comes in ragged gasps as I pray. Always praying! Praying for strength! Praying for courage! Praying for wisdom! Praying for discernment! Praying for Heavenly backup! Praying for Heavenly assistance!
And so, the battle in the arena of life goes. I’m always on the alert. Always watchful. Always on the lookout for forces which silently stealthily come up from below, intent on destroying me.
I stand firm and ready.
Truth protects me!
Righteousness protects me!
The Gospel of Peace protects me!
Faith protects me!
My salvation in Jesus Christ alone protects me!
God’s Word – the Bible – is my offensive weapon by which I can vanquish attacks of darkness!
* God’s Word – the Bible – defends me as the sole standard of Truth.
* God’s Word – the Bible – defends me by developing Righteousness in my life.
* God’s Word – the Bible – is the Gospel of Peace.
* God’s Word – the Bible – is the foundation of my Faith.
* God’s Word – the Bible – leads to salvation in Jesus Christ alone.
* God’s Word – the Bible – is the key to conquering powerful forces of darkness and evil.
Prayer is my link to Heaven, calling down support and assistance!
To be follower of Jesus Christ is to be a spiritual “gladiator” in the arena of life.
