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The Helmet of Salvation, November 6
Equipped for Victory
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of
salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance
for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
Isaiah 59:17
Many have confused ideas in regard to conversion. They have often
heard the words repeated from the pulpit, “Ye must be born again.” “You
must have a new heart.” These expressions have perplexed them. They
could not comprehend the plan of salvation.
Many have stumbled to ruin because of the erroneous doctrines taught
by some ministers concerning the change that takes place at conversion.
Some have lived in sadness for years, waiting for some marked evidence
that they were accepted by God. They have separated themselves in
a large measure from the world, and find pleasure in associating with
the people of God; yet they dare not profess Christ, because they fear
it would be presumption to say that they are children of God. They are
waiting for that peculiar change that they have been led to believe is
connected with conversion.
After a time some of these do receive evidence of their acceptance
with God, and are then led to identify themselves with His people. And
they date their conversion from this time. But ... they were adopted
into the family of God before that time. God accepted them when they
became weary of sin, and having lost their desire for worldly pleasures,
resolved to seek God earnestly. But, failing to understand the simplicity
of the plan of salvation, they lost many privileges and blessings which
they might have claimed had they only believed, when they first turned
to God, that He had accepted them.
Others fall into a more dangerous error. They are governed by
impulse. Their sympathies are stirred, and they regard this flight of
feeling as an evidence that they are accepted by God and are converted.
But the principles of their life are not changed. The evidences of a
genuine work of grace on the heart are to be found not in feeling, but in
the life.
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