Parts 1 and 2 explore the relationship between Jesus’ death, putting on Christ and the whole armour of God. Beginning with Ephesians 6, the reflection moves to Galatians 3:27 and a personal Christmas-season picture of the cross as a gift-box template, while carefully distinguishing Scripture from devotional symbolism.
This combined reflection introduces the whole armour of God and the gift-box insight. Part 3 continues with Simon of Cyrene and the Holy Spirit as our Helper. Part three can be found here.
After looking closely at these two pictures, I turned to Paul’s words in Ephesians. What is the relationship between Jesus’ death and the spiritual armour? Is “putting on” the armour connected with “putting on” Christ?
Part 1: The Whole Armour of God
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
Ephesians 6 calls believers to put on and take up the whole armour of God so that we can stand. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, so this armour is never permission to treat other people as the enemy. It is God’s provision for remaining faithful amid temptation, deception, fear, accusation and spiritual opposition.
- The belt of truthcalls us to reject deception and stand honestly before God.
- The breastplate of righteousnesspoints to a life shaped by what is right in Christ.
- The gospel of peaceprepares our steps and changes how we approach others.
- The shield of faithhelps us answer fear, accusation and doubt with trust in God.
- The helmet of salvationanchors our minds in what Christ has accomplished.
- The sword of the Spiritis the Word of God, accompanied by watchful, persevering prayer.
When I first wrote this reflection, I described days of research and trials and felt that I had caught the enemy’s attention. I still believe spiritual opposition is real, but a difficult period does not by itself prove why each trial happened. Ephesians directs my attention away from speculation and back towards standing in the Lord’s strength.
“Put On Christ”
One verse that caught my attention was Galatians 3:27:
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
The words “put on” carry the picture of being clothed. Paul uses this language for believers’ union with Christ and the new life that should become visible through them. Romans 13 places two closely related instructions in the same passage: “put on the armor of light” and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
The Bible places putting on the armour of light and putting on Christ closely together, but it does not say that each piece of armour is literally a body part of Jesus. The connection is that truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, God’s Word and prayer all belong to the life God gives us in Christ.
Nor do believers repeatedly fall out of Christ and have to clothe themselves in Him again whenever they struggle. The command calls us to live actively and faithfully in what God has provided.
Part 2: The Cross and the Gift-Box Picture
As I looked at the cross, I saw not only a bridge-like shape but something that reminded me of a flat template used to make a gift box. Yes—a gift box! When its sides are folded, the flat pattern becomes a container in which a present can be placed.
This personal picture came to me while I was making gifts during the Christmas season. It helped me think about Jesus as God’s precious gift and about believers being clothed in Christ. It was a devotional insight formed through an ordinary creative activity.
Scripture does not describe the cross as a gift-box template, and the visual resemblance is not a hidden doctrine that every reader must see. It is my personal illustration—one that helped me reflect upon Christ, the cross and the gift of new life.
Verses That Accompanied the Reflection
Two other passages appeared in my original notes. Matthew 6:34 reminds me not to borrow tomorrow’s trouble, while Isaiah 43:18–19 speaks to Israel of God doing a new thing and making a way in the wilderness. They are not explanations of the armour or the gift-box shape, but they formed part of the Scripture meditation surrounding this discovery.
Jesus, the Lamb Without Blemish
My original post referred to 1 Peter 1:9, but the “without blemish” statement is found in verse 19. Peter describes redemption through Christ’s precious blood:
“but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
A beautifully wrapped gift may look spotless on the outside, but Jesus’ purity is far deeper than outward appearance. He is the sinless Lamb, and His sacrifice is the basis of our redemption. Being “clothed with Christ” does not mean that we become Jesus or claim personal sinlessness; it means our identity, acceptance and new way of life are found in Him.
The Rose and the Stem
After research, prayer and deep thinking, I came to another picture: we cannot separate the life we receive in Christ from what He accomplished through His death and resurrection, just as a rose cannot flourish apart from its stem.
To understand the spiritual armour fully, we must understand why Jesus died. Salvation, righteousness, peace, faith and truth are not achievements we manufacture by our own strength. They are rooted in God’s saving work and received through faith in Christ.
Jesus also calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Carrying our cross means faithful discipleship and surrender; it does not repeat, add to or complete Jesus’ unique sacrifice for sin.
The armour of God is not separate from the gospel. We stand in truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, Scripture and prayer because Christ has given Himself for us. The cross is not a literal diagram of the armour, but it is central to the saving work from which our new life flows.
Continuing to Part 3
This reflection led me to another part of the crucifixion account: Simon of Cyrene helped carry Jesus’ cross. Part 3 considers that historical moment alongside Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit as our Helper, while distinguishing the Gospel account from my devotional comparison.
Father, thank You for the precious blood of Christ and for every spiritual provision You give. Help me put on the Lord Jesus Christ and stand in the whole armour of God. Keep me rooted in truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, Your Word and prayer. Teach me to value the cross without adding meanings Scripture does not claim, and help my daily life display the new life You have given me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bible say Jesus is literally the armour of God?
Not in those exact words. Ephesians 6 describes the armour God provides, while Romans 13 places “the armor of light” close to the command to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” The ideas are closely related without making every piece a literal part of Jesus.
Does the Bible describe the cross as a gift-box template?
No. That resemblance is a personal visual and devotional insight from making Christmas gifts, not a biblical teaching or required interpretation.
Where does the Bible call Jesus a Lamb without blemish?
The wording appears in 1 Peter 1:19. The older version of this post incorrectly cited verse 9.
What does it mean to “put on Christ”?
Galatians 3:27 speaks of those baptized into Christ having put on Christ. Romans 13:14 applies the picture to daily conduct: believers are to live from their identity in Jesus rather than make provision for sinful desires.
How does Jesus’ death relate to the armour of God?
Christ’s saving work is the foundation of Christian life. The truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation in which believers stand are received within the gospel, not produced through self-reliance.
Topics Covered: Jesus’ death, spiritual armour, armour of God, putting on Christ, Ephesians 6, Galatians 3:27, Romans 13, the cross, gift-box symbolism, the Lamb without blemish, Christian discipleship and the Holy Spirit.
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