“Be Shod with a Preparation of the Gospel.” Eph. 6:15.
By M. W. Howard
How few of those who profess to receive the Bible as the “rule of faith and practice,” do really equip themselves with what the apostle calls, “The whole armor of God.” In nothing perhaps is this deficiency more apparent, than the one under consideration, and its kindred admonition “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Verse 17. If the word of God does furnish something to meet all the various phases of human life, as well as doctrines and innovation, how wise to fix the conviction in every mind, that this gospel armor is to be firmly secured to our persons each part in its appropriate place. But such a preparation may not be obtained by that indolent reception of knowledge, transmitted from one to another, so prevalent at this day; but by putting forth that mental effort which is needful, whenever we would grasp an important idea and make it fully our own. The word preparation implies, that we should have performed a previous work, that we may be forestalled for a coming onset, just as the word provide, in the injunction, “Provide things honest in the sight of all men,” implies a fore casting, or looking forward to see the bearing of our doings, “that our good be not evil spoken of.” — M. W. HOWARD.