"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;"
Today's quote is one more in a list of many very important instructions Paul wrote to the children of God.
One point of particular interest is what Paul warns the children of God against. He said that we are to armor ourselves "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
This instruction clearly tells us to prepare ourselves against, not only the sins of the flesh, but also against the institutional evil perpetrated by those institutions who hold power over the individual and are far more dangerous to the purpose of true gospel of Jesus Christ than are the individual sins of the believer.
Many glaring examples that are today representing "spiritual wickedness in high places" are those organized groups who make a mockery of the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ. Those heretical groups who attempt to distort the intent of Jesus' doctrine by inserting ancient pomp and ritual into it so as to make themselves appear more important. They falsely assert that mankind is partially, or wholly, responsible to work out, or pay for, his/her own eternal salvation.
Sadly, there are very few of us left who still accept that salvation is a free gift from God through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son and cannot be earned or bought by any individual at any price.
The ONLY means by which a man/woman can be eternally saved is because; "by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 in part.)~
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