The Belt of Truth, chapters 2 & 3

I’m continuing to comb through Ephesians, searching for evidence of the various pieces of armor listed specifically by the end of the book.  The belt of truth may seem like an odd item at the top of the list, but actually, the remaining pieces depend on it for their power. Without truth, there is no salvation, nothing to put faith in, no gospel to proclaim, nothing to quench lies, no word that pierces like a sword. With an enemy such as ours, truth is our necessary beginning.

[The devil] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, 

for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, 

for he is a liar and the father of lies.

-Jesus

John 8:44

Our enemy is void of truth and actively opposes it, seeks its death, and speaks against it. Lies flow from him and through him as his heart language, the most natural words dripping off his forked tongue. We are not left defenseless. May the belt of truth in Ephesians 2 & 3 wrap you in its life-giving support and enable you to distinguish and follow God’s voice without hindrance:

Lie: My salvation isn’t really that miraculous.

Truth: God’s mercy raised me from death to life. 2:1-7

Lie: God isn’t good.

Truth: The gospel reveals God as rich in mercy, love, grace, and kindness. 2:4-7

Lie: I’m a good enough person to merit salvation.

Truth: Only God’s grace can save. 2:8,9

Lie: I don’t have a purpose like someone else has.

Truth: God had good works planned out for me when He saved me. 2:10

Lie: God is far away from me and likes it that way.

Truth: Christ’s blood brings me near to God. 2:11-13

Lie: There are too many long-standing differences for peace to ever be reality.

Truth: Only through Christ can peace be accomplished. 2:14-18

Lie: I don’t belong.

Truth: I’m a member of God’s family and part of its very structure. 2:19-22

Lie: God makes Himself at home in those perfect people, but not in me.

Truth: God lives in me. 2:22

Lie: God plays favorites.

Truth: The Gospel is all-inclusive. 3:1-6

Lie: One person can’t make much of a difference.

Truth: God gives each individual specific grace to steward in His kingdom. Eph 3:2,7

Lie: The church is an outdated idea.

Truth: The church, when functioning properly, reveals God’s wisdom. 3:7-13

Lie: Faith is a dead-end.

Truth: Faith in Christ is the path toward experiencing the fullness of God. 3:14-19

Lie: Because of my background, I should keep my spiritual expectations low.

Truth: I cannot even imagine the possibilities that exist through God’s power in me. 3:20,21

…the reason I was born and came into the world

was to testify to the truth. 

Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.

-Jesus

What is truth?

- Pilate

John 18:37,38