By: Bro. James Orhosere (Deacon)
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To be equipped is to be provided with whatever is required for use or for any undertaking in terms of knowledge and equipment.
The writer of Hebrews alluded to this matter of equipment relative to the doing of God’s will. “Now the God of peace…. equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ” (Heb. 13:20-21).
We need equipment for almost anything we do in life. To repair an engine, we need a certain set of tools. When we embark on a journey or voyage, we usually take all the equipment we will need while we are away. Just so, if we want to be properly outfitted and supplied.
The apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul described the equipment we require in his second letter to Timothy “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). And what is it that thoroughly equips us to do “every work” – all scripture.
The psalmist confirms this important principle with “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psm 119:105). That lamp symbolizes God’s word, which is crucial to finding God’s will. We cannot hope to find it apart from the word. It is doubtful that God speaks in audible terms today. He has spoken His word which contains all that He wants us to know now. So, if we want to hear His voice, we need to go to His word (scriptures). If we want to know God’s will and if the bible is the supreme source or God’s mouthpiece it depends on us to abreast ourselves with it in order to equip ourselves for Christian race.
Take advantage of every opportunity to increase your knowledge of God’s truth. Therefore, when the church doors open and the word is being taught, be there.
Spend time in the word privately, read slowly and thoughtfully. Look for information about the Lord Himself – what He is like, how He thinks and feel. His purposes and priorities, His values and standards. In so doing you are equipping yourself for Christian task.
With daily bible study, you can know how to be saved, how to worship God with proper spirit, and how to live your life in ways that is pleasing to Him.
At this point, let me warn that some versions of the bible have been tainted. By that I mean people have rewritten the bible in such a way as to give false meaning to God’s word. Some versions are perverted to the point that by studying them you will be led astray. My advice here is to stick with the tried and verified ones.
In addition to knowing the word of God (aka the sword of the spirit) we need to align our faith with it to strike the right balance. In Hebrews 11:6-7, the writer states “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Paul’s faith revolved around the gospel truth that he stated this way; I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by Faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Gal. 2:20).
Paul was not trying to live the Christian life by his own power, he trusted the power of God’s spirit within him to help him live the life of faith.
When our faith is strong enough to accept the truth of God’s word that we are His beloved children, we look forward in hope to the second coming of Christ, when we will receive glorious spiritual bodies like His.
In the meantime, if we believe we are God’s children, purified through His blood, we will strive to live holy and sanctified to His glory.
Many Christians have a poor spiritual self-image due to weak faith. As Christians, we often speak of ourselves as sinners rather than saints. While it is true that we still fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23), our identity in Christ has been changed from “sinners” to “saints”. Paul addressed this issue in 1 Cor. 6:9-10.
When a Christian combines the word of God with the right faith, it produces the “fruit of the spirit” which Apostle Paul listed in Gal. 5:22-23.
Now the next question to address is; how can a Christian stay on track to equip himself for the task demanded of him by God? What are the important things to do to be adequately equipped?
- Put the Lord and His kingdom first – “But seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 7:12)
- Study your bible each day “as new babes, desire sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby (1 Pet. 2:2)
- Attend every service possible. “Not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more, as you see the day approaching (Heb. 10:25)
- Pray regularly – “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:17-18)
- Be concerned about your influence – “That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15)
- Be concerned about the souls of others and do what they can to get the gospel to them. “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matt. 16:26)
- Practice the golden rule – “Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them for this is the law and the prophets (Matt. 7:12).
Why Christians should be adequately equipped.
Being equipped is your way of pushing back the kingdom of darkness. The days are evil and unequipped or ill-equipped members may be susceptible to Satan’s schemes and false doctrine (Eph. 2:5-7, 5:8-9). As a Christian, you must be armed and equipped with spiritual weapons to fight against forces of darkness (Eph. 6:10-20).
Being equipped, forces you to grow in holiness and hatred of sin. Paul describes that the church is able to live united because the leaders equip the congregation to do the work of the ministry which binds all brethren together in Christ (Eph. 4:1-16). He then describes the implications of a united church. Believers live together by putting away sinful living and putting on their new life (Eph. 4:17-32), live together (Eph. 5:1-6), living in light (Eph. 5:7-14) and living wisely (Eph. 5:22-33).
Conclusion
If we look at the whole scripture, we find the ultimate effect of Christians doing good. The more thoroughly we are equipped the more we will bear the fruit to the glory of God. (Matt. 5:6, Col. 1:9-10).
When we are thoroughly equipped for every good work we grow in our relationship with God; others are helped and most importantly God is glorified.
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