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XII.
Christian Growth and Experience
Chapter 119
:
The Christian Armor
1. WHAT power was to
make war upon the remnant church prior to the
second advent?
"And the dragon [Satan] was
wroth with the woman, and went to make war with
the remnant of her seed, which keep the
commandments of God, and have the testimony of
Jesus Christ." Rev. 12:17.
2. What reward is
promised to the overcomer?
"To him that overcometh will I give
to eat of the tree of life, which is in
the midst of the paradise of God." Rev. 2:7. See
also Rev. 2:11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21. "He that
overcometh shall inherit all things."
Rev. 21:7.
3. Through whom are we
able to conquer?
"Nay, in all these things we are more
than conquerors through Him that loved us."
Rom. 8:37.
4. Who was the
invisible leader of the armies of Israel?
"Behold, there stood a man over
against him with His sword drawn in His hand:
and Joshua went unto Him, and said unto Him, Art
thou for us, or for our adversaries? And He
said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the
Lord am I now come." Joshua 5:13,14. See
also 1 Cor. 10:1-4.
5. What is the
character of the Christian's weapons of warfare?
"For the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strongholds." 2 Cor. 10:4.
6. What are these
weapons able to conquer?
"Casting down, imaginations,
and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ." Verse 5.
7. What are we to put
on?
"Put on the whole armor of God,
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil." Eph. 6:11.
8. With what kind of
forces do we have to contend?
"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." Verse
12.
NOTE.-The margin says, "wicked spirits" in
"heavenly" places.
9. What are the first
essentials of the needed armor?
"Stand therefore, having your
loins girt about with truth, and having on
the breastplate of righteousness." Verse
14.
10. What is the truth
with which one's loins should be girded?
"Sanctify them through Thy truth:
Thy word is truth." "I am the way, the
truth." John 17:17; 14:6.
11. What is meant by
having the loins girded?
"Wherefore gird up the loins of
your mind." 1 Peter 1:13.
12. What is the
righteousness of which the breastplate is
composed?
"My tongue shall speak of Thy word:
for all Thy commandments are righteousness."
Ps. 119:172. "And this is His name whereby lie
shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness."
Jer. 23:6. See Rom. 13:14; 1 Thess. 5:8.
13. With what are the
feet to be shod?
"And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace." Eph.
6:15. See also Eph. 2:14; James 3:18.
14. What piece of armor
is next mentioned as necessary?
"Above all, taking the shield of
faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked." Eph. 6:16
See 1 John 5:4; Heb. 11:6.
15. What armor is to be
put on as a protection to the head?
"And take the helmet of
salvation." Eph. 6:17.
NOTE.-In 1 Thess. 5:8 the helmet is called
"the hope of salvation." The helmet
was worn to protect the head. So the hope of
salvation will preserve the courage, and
thus aid in protecting the spiritual life of
the Christian pilgrim when beset by the
enemy of righteousness.
16. With what sword is
the Christian soldier to be armed?
"The sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God." Eph. 6:17.
NOTE.-By this Christ defeated the enemy. See
Matt. 4:1-1; Luke 4:1-13. But no one can
use this sword who does not know
it. Hence, the importance of studying and
knowing the Bible.
17. In what words are
the courage, faithfulness, and loyalty of the
remnant church expressed?
"And they overcame him by the blood
of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;
and they loved not their lives unto the
death." Rev. 12:11.
18. Will Christ's loyal
soldiers be victorious under Him?
"And I saw as it were a sea of glass
mingled with fire: and them that had gotten
the victory over the beast, and over his
image, and over his mark, and over the number of
his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the
harps of God." Rev. 15:2.
SOLDIERS of Christ, arise,
And put your armor on;
Fight, for the battle will be ours;
We fight to win a crown.
We
fight not against flesh,
We wrestle not with blood;
But principalities and powers,
And for the truth of God.
With
wicked spirits, too,
That in high places stand,
Perverting oft the Word of God,
And say 'tis by command.
Put
all the armor on,
Like valiant soldiers stand;
Let all your loins be girt with truth,
Waiting our Lord's command.
While Jesus is our friend,
And His rich grace supplies,
We'll march like valiant soldiers on:
We're sure to win the prize.
The
battle's almost o'er;
The race is nearly run;
Then with our glorious, conquering King
We'll sit down on His throne.
CHARLES WESLEY. |
