Institute!

So pretty much Sister Poulsen is the most amazing gospel teacher ever. I always learn so much in her class! Today was about Ephesians. Paul's message to them was about becoming one. She shared with us a bunch of cool Hebrew stuff about different meanings of the word "one" and it was so great. Everything I've ever been taught jives with what the truth actually is. (Can we say, God (and His church) is the same yesterday, today, and forever?). She didn't actually share this verse but it pretty well sums up a lot of the point:

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:21)

I love this verse. It sets forth that the Father and the Son are two distinct beings but are united as one (Hebrew: "one together") because it also sets forth the analogy that we can be one with them--one together with them. And of course, knowing that we are certainly distinct beings apart from God, Jesus just disproved the idea of the trinity right there. Anyway, that's why I like that verse. But our lesson was about one-ness. The coolest part was probably when she went over the armor of God. Interpret: God's armor. New idea! But it's awesome!

-loins girt about with truth-- what is truth? Well, Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, so there.
-having on the breastplate of righteousness--what is righteousness? Another student shared a piece of Chinese, where part of the character for "righteousness" is the same as the character for "lamb" which is Christ.
-your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace--the gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ our Savior
-taking the shield of faith--where is our faith centered? In Christ.
-the helmet of salvation--where does our salvation come? From Christ.
-sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God--straight from John "In the beginning was the Word;" testifying of Christ

So, like, wow! God's armor is Christ. We are to put on Christ. Putting on the armor of God is Taking upon us the name of Christ, like the covenant says. WOW! It all fits together! Isn't it just amazing? Yup, the gospel is amazing.