In the coming days we will be discussing the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-29). This is the “stand” part of Watchman Nee's “sit, walk, stand” summary of Ephesians. I don't believe we can fully understand it outside of the context of the whole epistle. “Sit” is Nee’s summary of the theology of chapters 1-3. We Christians are seated with Christ in heavenly places (1:20; 2:6). “Walk” is about conduct, we are to “walk worthy of our calling” (4:1). The “stand” section can be thought of the admonition to hold the “sit” and  “walk” sections together. And when we hold these things together the one re-enforces the other. It is the truth that sets us free to walk the walk (John 8:32). On the other hand put negatively, we suppress the truth in unrighteous (Romans 1:18). We also need to see that our works and our good deeds are intended to be the fruit of our salvation, not means by which we attain it (6:12; 2:8-10).

We are to sit, rest in the language of yesterday's post, in the settled assurance that we are accepted in the Beloved (1:6 NKJV), that we were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world (2:10), and that we are sealed with Holy Spirit (1:13). God's primary goal in sending Jesus, was to unite all things in Him, with Him, and with each other (1:10). And in fact He has broken down all these dividing walls, thus making peace (2:14, 15). Further connecting our walk and theology, the reason He chose us before the foundation of the world, is that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love. He saved us to be His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (1:4, 2:10). But we are to know that our works and our good deeds are to be the fruit of our salvation, not means by which we attain it (2:8-10). Since these things can take a while to sink in Paul prays for us that we might have wisdom and revelation knowledge of these things, together with a revelation of the resources He has made available (1:17-19). He also prays that we might get a revelation of the multidimensional love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, in order that we might be filled with all the fullness of God (3:17-19).

In terms of our “walk,” we should conduct ourselves in a way that is worthy of the Lord (4:1). This is the “only reasonable response” to all that He has done for us (Romans 12:1 NKJV). The walk section gives a comprehensive outline of what this means. We are to be eager to preserve the peace, we are to grow in grace, and speak the truth in love (4:15). We are to put off the things of the pre-Christian nature (4:22, 25, 31). But since nature abhors vacuum, we are to put on, among other thing, kindness, tenderheartedness and to forgive as we are forgiven (4:24, 32). We are to be filled with the Sprit, to love one another and submit to one another (5:21). In all our relationships at work, home and at play we should with all humility gentleness, and longsuffering, bearing with one another in love (4:2; 5:21- 6:9).

Father, please give us a fuller revelation of all that You have done, and all You have made available. And please give us the grace to walk worthy of You, and please full us with all Your fullness in Jesus Name Amen