Sink In

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. – Ephesians 6:11

I have read this verse more times than I can count.  I have preached it and heard it preached about as many times.  A few of weeks ago we were discussing this in our Bible study.  Something new, at least to me, was brought up about this verse.

The Greek word translated as “put on” is endyō (pronounced en-dü’-ō) which means to “Sink IN.” What is even more exciting is the etymology of endyo.  It comes from the following two Greek words “en” and “dynō.” En is a fixed position.  Dyno is to go under, be plunged into, sink in.  The same Endyo is translated as “having on” in verse 14; “and having on the breastplate of righteousness.”

Most of my life, I believed the Armor of God was something I had to put on.  When I sinned, I had obviously taken the armor off.  I believed it was up to me to keep putting on the Breastplate of Righteousness.  I had to be righteous to put it on, right?  Let’s explore this question for a moment.

To be righteous is to be in right standing with God.  How do we get in right standing?  We accept His Son (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, John 14:6).  Our faith in what Jesus completed is our part.  Jesus lived without sin and fulfilled the Law.  No one else has ever done this and no one else will.  Jesus alone is worthy.  You and I cannot perform to this level despite our best efforts.  Our righteousness, according to Isaiah 64:6, is “as filthy rags.”

This should go without saying, but, I do not advocate sin.  We could spend a lot of time pouring through scriptures in the New Testament that tell us to abstain from sin, flee from sin, etc.  Some may assume because I am a Grace teacher, I would tell you to live however you want since God loves you.  I will tell you your sins aren’t being held against you if you have put your faith in Christ (Romans 5:13).  My wife loves me more than I deserve.  Does that make me want to go out and fool around with other women?  NO!  It makes me want to hold her closer and get to know her even more.

Once you put your faith in Christ, you are righteous.  You are not working to be righteous.  You are not confessing sin to become righteous.  You simply ARE righteous.  You are in a fixed position in Christ!

“Put on the breastplate of Righteousness.” This simple sentence, if properly understood, will set you free.  Ready?  Sink into the Righteousness of Christ which does not hold sin against you and will NEVER let you go.

Let that sink in.