"Ask
yourself why you practice Christianity as you do. If faith's working hand is
sincere then its fighting hand will be valiant.
The question I expect from a true Christian reader now is not how to
escape these troubles, but how to get this shoe on so you can wade through them
in true peace with cheerfulness. It is right for the Christian soldier to ask
for armor so he can fight the good fight; but the coward throws down his protection
and asks which way he can run. Now I will give you the best counsel I can in
the wearing of the spiritual shoe.
Examine the sincerity of your obedience. The same sound motives which
take a Christian into Christ's service will guide him through suffering
whenever God calls for that to happen. When the children of Ephraim took the
field they were fully armed but "turned back in the day of battle" Psalm
78:9. This seems strange until you read the preceding verse-- they were "a
generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast
with God" (v. 8).
Soldiers can wear a complete suit of armor and live in a castle whose
foundation is rock and whose walls are brass, yet if their hearts are not right
with the prince, the slightest storm will throw open the gate and drive them
from their place of duty. Sincerity is the only bolt that holds the gate
secure.
We have all seen how honest hearts with very little support from without
have held the town, while no walls have been thick enough to defend against
treachery and the betraying of trust. Ask yourself why you practice
Christianity as you do. If faith's working hand is sincere then its fighting
hand will be valiant. The power of faith which enabled saints in days of old to
"work righteousness"-- that is, to live holy lives-- is evidenced by
the sufferings they endured. "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the
violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword" Hebrews 11:33-34.”
Artwork by Rose Publishing. The Armor of God Wall Chart, More Information Available Here.
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete
Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell.
http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617
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