The Christian Warfare by Francis Gould

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 1, 1870

The Christian Warfare.

By Francis Gould

The Christian life is one of warfare, of labor, and of toil. Life’s duties and life’s burdens, as they present themselves to us by the way, we are to discharge with fidelity and faithfulness; and we can have no honorable discharge until the battle is over and the victory won. When the Apostle Paul had closed up his warfare, won the victory, and laid off his armor, he says: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim. 4: 6-8. He was honorably discharged, he had fought life’s battles well; and he reckoned that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8: 18. We, as followers of Christ and the apostles, should imitate his example.

The question often arises in my mind, How can we best engage in the great conflict of overcoming our sins, and have it prove a success; as it is a fact that many, very many who engage in the work, fall out by the wayside before reaching the point of certain victory. In searching the Scriptures I find that Paul throws light upon this point, and tells us the way, and the only efficient way, by which the warfare can be successfully accomplished. “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” 2 Tim. 2: 4. By this declaration, Paul wishes to illustrate the nature and character of the Christian warfare by those who take up carnal weapons here to fight in defense of their country.

When tidings of the battle of Lexington were brought to the ear of General Putnam, a man of revolutionary fame, he was a Connecticut farmer, and was ploughing in the field. He did not stop to unyoke his cattle; but leaving the plough in the unfinished furrow, gave some hasty directions respecting his affairs, mounted his horse at once, and, with a rapid pace, proceeded to the scene of action. He was a good soldier. He had such a love and devotion for his country’s cause that he disengaged himself at once from the affairs of life, and went out a free man.

It should be so with us. When the Captain of our salvation calls, we should not stop to confer with flesh and blood, but throw our whole being and energies into the work. If the things of earth engross our attention, our influence will be crippled, and our efforts fail. The language of the Saviour is very explicit: “Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come, life everlasting.” Luke 18: 29, 30.

Now is the time to engage with earnestness in the Christian warfare. Though we may think our fortifications strong, yet if the enemy should come and find us sleeping at our post, he will enter the fort and lead us captive at his will. We need not be at a loss to know where we are in the world’s history. Paul says that “in the last days perilous times shall come.” We are entering those perils. The catalogue of sins which Paul speaks of in 2 Tim. 3: 2-5, constitute some of these perils. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” These sins are strikingly developed at the present time, showing plainly that we are living in the time when the words just quoted apply.

Opening prophecy reveals the end of all things at hand. Important events are transpiring even in our own country, which should stir us to diligence and duty. The two-horned beast has arisen, and is to make an image to the first beast. The two lamb-like horns, which specify the mild principles of the government, which are the toleration of civil and religious liberty, and that man shall worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience,—these principles are fast waning away. He was to speak as a dragon. That dragon voice may now be heard speaking in low tones not far in the distance. The way is being opened to establish a national religion, in which all the religious societies will unite upon one common platform upon the principal features of their religious faith, which will be established by law, among the most prominent of which will be Sunday observance. The church, clothed with civil power, will constitute the image to the first beast. It will then make war with the saints. “And the dragon 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.

Dear brethren and sisters, how many of us will be able to stand when the decree goes forth that no man shall buy or sell save he that has the mark of the beast; or when he shall cause that as many as will not worship the image of the beast shall be put to death. May the Lord help us through vigilance, patience, and Christian fortitude, to escape the things which are coming upon the earth, and to stand before the Son of Man. FRANCIS GOULD.

Slowe, Vt.