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Armed for the Conflict, September 9
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.
Ephesians 6:13
.
There are many who do not understand the conflict that is going on
between Christ and Satan over the souls of men. They do not realize that if
they would stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel they
must be willing to be partakers of His conflicts and wage a determined
war against the powers of darkness.
When thinking on the conflict, Paul writes to his Ephesian brethren
exhorting them to “be strong,” not feeble, not wavering, tossed to and
fro like the waves of the sea. But in what are they to be strong? In
their own might? No. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might.” He says, “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 ...”
(
verses 10-13
).
The gaining of eternal life will ever involve a struggle, a conflict.
We are continually to be found fighting the good fight of faith. We are
soldiers of Christ; and those who enlist in His army are expected to do
difficult work, work which will tax their energies to the utmost. We
must understand that a soldier’s life is one of aggressive warfare, of
perseverance and endurance. For Christ’s sake we are to endure trials.
Victories are not gained by ceremonies or display but by simple obe-
dience to the highest General, the Lord God of heaven. He who trusts in
this Leader will never know defeat. Obedience to God is liberty from the
thraldom of sin, deliverance from human passion and impulse. Man may
stand conqueror of himself, conqueror of his own inclinations, conqueror
of principalities and powers, and of the “rulers of the darkness of this
world,” and of “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.”
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