January 27, 2022 — “Fold like a cheap suit” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:10-18

“Fold like a cheap suit”

Where did the saying “fold like a cheap suit” originate? And what was it’s meaning? It seems now to be used when an opponent will back away and run (sports teams, politicians). Cheap suits are normally made of thinner and poorer-quality fabric than expensive ones. Cheaper suits therefore are easier to fold. “Fold” meaning “collapse or give way under pressure” has been in use since the 16th century. Perhaps the commonest use nowadays is in card-playing; in poker, a player who “folds” gives up and withdraws from the game.

We often wear our faith on the outside – or I should say, we should wear our faith on the outside of ourselves often. But too many people wear their faith like a cheap suit. They are afraid if they show people their devotion, their faith, their true feelings about Jesus and the Gospel, well they will not be as popular, or will be ridiculed. So, they wear their faith like a cheap suit – and if you do this long enough, soon you will run the risk of finding yourself folding like a cheap suit when it comes to standing up to evil, injustice, and all the wrongs of the world.

To have faith in Jesus demands that we have such a love for G-d and a love for all people that we stand firm in our faith — and not fold when the heat of any crises threatens us to the point we begin to question what we believe. Jesus died on a cross so that you and I may have not only eternal life, but a fuller life right now. That alone should compel us to stand firm.

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, we have been taught to stand firm in our faith. However, life’s events, world events, and people assail us every day. Give us your strength and love to not fold but stand firm in our trust and love for you. Amen.

Pastor Dave