Arming Christian Men
Putting on the Armor of God
The leadership of our church, at my suggestion, has asked that we restart the Men's Ministry. I continue to emphasize the "Man in the Mirror" ministries which I believe is based on the best model for Men's Ministry, successfully seeks to include ALL men in its ministry, and has self-supporting "Area Directors" as a resource. I've also been asked to come up with a new name for the Men's Ministry.
The name I was looking for needed to reinforce my goal of strengthening men in their roles as Husbands and Fathers as the gatekeepers to their home. Recently in reading Isaiah 59 I saw where God used His own arm (analogous to Jesus I believe) to provide salvation when "no just man" could be found. It also refers to two parts of the Christian armor spelled out in Ephesians 6. I then thought of the phrase "A Call to Arms (Putting on God’s Armor)". I'm referring to the weapons and armor outlined in Ephesians 6 that are used specifically for spiritual warfare.
Isaiah 59:16-17* states: 16And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him. 17He put on righteousness like a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle. I believe He’s referring to the role of Jesus.
In Ephesians 6* the following phrases are used
- Put on the full armor of God
- · our struggle is against spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places
- having girded your loins with truth
- having put on the breastplate of righteousness
- your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace
- shield of faith
- the helmet of salvation
- sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The goal of "A Call to Arms (CtA)" is to equip men in their role as spiritual leaders and protectors in their homes, church, and community. It may be a secret to some, but the world system sometimes shows up in our church. People who are honest will admit the world system is in many homes. And isn’t it easy to see the dysfunction in Washington D.C.? We need to turn to God and not Government or men – see Psalms 118:8. We need men to take their unique God-given role in our "Christian Nation" and equip themselves for spiritual warfare.
*NASB