September 29

Take unto you the whole armour of God. - Ephesians 6:13.

AND with regard to the armour which is provided for the Christian warrior, the Apostle enables us to remark four things. First, He specifies the articles of which it consists. “Having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness,and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Here it will be perceived there is no armour provided for the back. He therefore that flees is wholly defenceless, and is sure to perish.

Secondly, He tells us of the nature of this armour. It is the “armour of God.” It is Divine. It is the armour of God by institution, that is, it is appointed by God. We read of “the instruments of a foolish shepherd,” and there are the weapons of the foolish soldier. Soldiers are not allowed to choose their own armour in a war. These are determined by the authority under which they move. Nothing is to guide or to be considered binding upon the Christian soldier but “Thus it is written,” and has the sanction of this blessed book, which contains all the articles of the holy war. But it is also God’s armour by constitution. It is not only appointed by him, but provided by him. It is all of his own workmanship; it is therefore of Divine temper, and will abide the severest trial; no part of it can ever be destroyed or injured.

Thirdly, He speaks of the appropriation of it. For armour is nothing unless it be laid hold of and used; and therefore, says the Apostle, “Take unto you the whole armour of God.” He means that we should apply it to the various purposes for which it has been provided. There are some who are ignorant of it; these cannot “take it to themselves,” and they are perishing for lack of knowledge. Others know it, but despise it; they never make use of it, their religion is all speculation; they “know these things,” but “they do them not;” they believe, and “the devils believe and tremble.” The grace of God, which bringeth salvation,has come to them in vain; for it does not teach them to “deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world.” Such knowledge is like the letter which Uriah carried in his bosom, and which placed him in the very front of the battle. Eor if our knowledge is unimproved, it will enhance our guilt and our condemnation.

Observe, fourthly, He remarks the entireness of the appropriation: “Take unto you the whole armour of God.” God forbids nothing in vain enjoins nothing in vain, provides nothing in vain; and therefore every part of this defensive and offensive armour is necessary. This armour of the Christian warrior may be considered with regard to his principles, his practice, his experience, his comfort, and his profession. And oh how important is it in each of these that neither of them is to be left in him exposed and undefended. He is to stand complete in the armour of righteousness; he is to be “perfect and entire, lacking nothing.” We are, however, here to distinguish between the aim and the attainment. Imperfection is compatible with sincerity in religion, but partiality is altogether alien to it. We must “esteem all his commandments to be right, and we must hate every false way,” and be able to say with David, “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.”