The Christian Warfare by M. Hull

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 22, 1858

The Christian Warfare.

By M. Hull

BRO. SMITH : My mind for some days has been running upon the necessity of living more devoted to God than many of us are doing. And I have sometimes thought it was duty for me to speak through the Review, as sometimes the smallest child in a family can suggest a thought which will benefit the whole family. Considering these things will the brethren hear one of the "feeble ones."

The faithful and true Witness in addressing the second stage of the church says, "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev. ii, 10. Being faithful consists in something more than a mere profession of faith, simply sitting down and saying "I have faith;" faith must produce corresponding works. Jas. ii, 20. Hear Paul on this subject, 1 Tim. vi, 11, 12. "But thou O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

Here Paul addresses the "man of God," the one who has made a good profession, and enjoins upon him to fight. Does the man of God want eternal life? Lay hold on it, it is within your grasp. But while our hands are full of this world, we are, to say the least, in a poor situation to lay hold on life, neither are we prepared to fight valiantly, while chained down to this world.

The Christian life in the Scriptures is compared to a "race" or "battle." But before producing any evidence on this point, allow me to ask, How many ever entered the race-paths, or enlisted in the army on a death bed? How many, think you, stopped to rest in the race-grounds? How many of those who stopped when fatigued, received the crown? "Hold fast that no man take thy crown," is the admonition of the faithful and true Witness. What success would I have in running a race and carrying all I could get of this world with me? While I should be holding fast to the alluring baits of sense, some man would take my crown."

Let us have the history of Paul as written by himself when he was ready to be offered, and the time of his departure was at hand. 2 Tim. iv, 7, 8. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, (or race,) 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." In this testimony, we discover that there is a crown of righteousness laid up for Paul, in consequence of his having fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.

But, as before remarked, we cannot run speedily with weights and besetments about us. Hence Paul says, "therefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us." Heb. xii, 1. It is impossible for us to run when loaded down with weights; neither will we run the whole length of the road, unless we exercise patience.

None get eternal life except "those who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, honor, and immortality." There is something more required of us than merely to start in the christian race. We must run patiently. May God help us to so run that we may obtain the prize.

Having examined the race, let us try the "battle field." But before we undertake to face the storm, we must put on the armor of God. 1 Thess. v, 8. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of salvation. We should do but poor business in the battle field without faith and hope. Take these motives from the warrior and he will fight no longer.

"Finally my brethren," says the apostle, "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." How many of us are strong in the Lord. Are we not depending somewhat upon our own strength? I fear some of us are. But those of us who are kept unto salvation, are kept by the power of God through faith." 1 Pet. i, 5. The Lord is almighty. Knowing the truth, let us be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Let us beware lest we trust our own strength, and in so doing find out our own weakness. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Our foe is a spiritual one and therefore the weapons with which we fight are not carnal, but mighty through God. 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. Therefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having all to stand.

Paul is not satisfied with having told them twice to stand, but he repeats, "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness." The injunction to stand, does not mean to stand still, but to stand against opposition. In the same verse where Paul enjoins steadfastness and immovability upon the church, he tells them to always abound (or move forward) in the work of the Lord. 1 Cor. xv, 58

But as we cannot stand unless we are equipped, we enquire what is the equipage? 1. A girdle of truth. 2. A breastplate of righteousness. But that will only protect the heart, so that we are as yet very illy prepared to ward off the fiery darts of the wicked. Thus far the armor is good; but there is something still lacking. What is it? 3. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Why have the gospel of peace upon our feet? Because we are fighting against the wiles of the devil. We should not go into the battle field barefoot. 4. Above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench (or turn) all the fiery darts of the wicked. A shield unless successfully used, will be of little or no consequence; but even when we do our best, we may at some time turn the dart so as to pierce our own head; hence the necessity of a helmet. 5. "And take the helmet of salvation." Now we are fully equipped so far as the armor is concerned; and unless we turn our backs to the enemy, it will be impossible for him to wound us.

Now let us go into the arena, not to stand still as a target for the enemy, but to fight, feeling assured that we shall gain the day, notwithstanding our arms are small, and the Devil's large.

But what are our weapons? 6. "And the sword of the spirit which is the word of God." The word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword.

O, Brethren why not fight valiantly? Do you realize how completely the one who fights under our captain is equipped? He starts out in the strength of the Lord, with truth upon his loins, righteousness upon his breast, the gospel of peace upon his feet, the shield of faith upon his arm, the helmet of salvation upon his head, with the word of God in his hand. When we are thus armed, earth and hell may unite against us; but thank God our captain never lost a victory. Then let us fight on. The battle is almost fought; the victory is almost won; let us breast a few more billows, and we are in the harbor of eternal rest. The Bible student is now lifting his prophetic telescope and as he looks through it, methinks I hear him exclaim, "The land begins to heave in view; we are passing the land-marks."

"The City bright appears in sight, We're getting round the pier."

Dear reader, may you and I patiently, fight valiantly, and finally receive a crown.

M. HULL.

Decatur City, Iowa, June 26th, 1858.