By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
The appeal calls those working with God not to receive His grace in vain but to prove themselves His ministers by truthful speech and message, by divine power, and by being equipped and guarded on every side with righteousness. Those means stand together with pureness, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit and genuine love, exercised through afflictions, hardships, disciplines and contrasting treatment of honor and dishonor. The armor itself is Christ's righteousness and God as a covering on both hands, making a person strong to do only what is right. Clothed in it, believers overcome the powers of darkness, oppose Satan in Christ's name, and stand firm in their appointed place as Christ overcame. This is the highest education, found in God's Word and its principles, with no higher learning in all the world.
Verse Wording and Setting
The verse belongs to the appeal to workers together with God not to receive the grace of God in vain but to approve themselves as ministers of God in all things. It is one of the conditions in 2 Corinthians 6:1-18 that bind every soul taking the Christian name and in no case should be neglected, calling Christians to answer the exalted possibility of revealing Christ's character in works as His appointed chosen representatives to an apostate world. It shows how true ministers approve themselves, giving no offense in anything that the ministry be not blamed, but carrying the ministry of reconciliation as ambassadors for Christ.
By the word of truth means by truthful speech and a truthful message, by the power of God means by divine power, and by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left means equipped and guarded by righteousness on both hands and on every side. This armor is part of the means by which God's ministers prove themselves faithful in their work and remain faithful amid hardship, opposition, and differing reports of them.
Its setting joins these means with pureness, knowledge, long-suffering, kindness, the Holy Spirit and unfeigned love. It joins them also with much patience in afflictions, necessities, distresses, stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings and fastings. It joins them further with standing through honor and dishonor and evil report and good report.
The exhortation is more appropriate now than ever because the Lord is soon to come and perilous times are before us. The accepted time and day of salvation is NOW, an eternal NOW, because no one owns tomorrow and there is no tomorrow that belongs to anyone.
The chapter is instruction to be carried into daily life with encouragement, and families who practice its instructions are safeguarded against errors threatening the churches. It belongs to the Laodicean message to God's people in their present spiritual condition, calling them for Christ's sake to open their eyes to discern spiritual things. That call is to refuse fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial, believer and infidel, and the temple of God and idols, to come out and be separate and touch not the unclean thing, and to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit in perfecting holiness in the fear of God in order to be received as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty.
Proving Faithful Ministry
A gospel minister proves himself by living as an example of the truths he teaches and by giving no offense in anything, so that the ministry is not blamed. This is Paul's own picture of his work, carried on by truthful speech and message, by divine power, and by righteousness as armor on every side, together with patience, pureness, knowledge, long-suffering, kindness, the Holy Spirit and unfeigned love amid afflictions, necessities, distresses, stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings and fastings. Ministers are to be men of faith expressing the pure love of God, with no unkind dealing or harsh words. They approve themselves as workers together with God who have not received the grace of God in vain, carrying the ministry of reconciliation as ambassadors for Christ.
True ministry is proved by holy character, patient endurance and God-given power rather than by outward advantage. It stands guarded by righteousness on every side through honor and dishonor and through evil report and good report, with patience under beating, need, distress, prison, tumult, labor, sleeplessness and fasting. Those who will share in Christ's glory must share in His sufferings, so believers should prepare for affliction and trial to come. This requires thorough conversion and shining brightly for the Lord amid the moral darkness of the world, with everyone who has the light of truth asking whether anything God expects has been left undone. The same proving calls teachers and school workers to reject cheap careless work, to correct small mistakes at once, to do every temporal task well, and to work with diligence and exactitude because eternal interests are involved.
Ministering brethren must take heed to the precious Word of God, strive to be wise shepherds, and hide themselves in Christ. They are to labor together as God's mouthpiece to encourage and give hope, with God working with His servants as they depend on Him rather than on their own ideas. Canvassers who share the truths contained in Christian books are workers together with God and are to serve in this same way, by the word of truth, by God's power, and by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. Bible workers are to be equipped with the armor of righteousness to fight the Lord's battles as they teach the Scriptures and carry the gospel to the world, and workers in city and open-air ministry must be equipped with the whole armor of righteousness.
Genuine conversion brings a person into living connection with Christ and makes that person a channel of light to the world, shown in a minister by following Christ and serving as an example to others.
True Higher Education
The highest education is found in God's Word and its principles, and there is no higher or more exalted education in all the world. This instruction was given first to the early disciples and is now given through the Word as light on what true education is. The word of truth, the power of God, and the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left belong to the principles that make up that higher education.
God's ministers serve and prove themselves through the word of truth and God's power, equipped with righteousness as armor on both hands. That righteousness enables them to stand and serve amid the trials and contrasting treatment described in the surrounding verses.
Students must diligently study and comprehend this instruction, giving special attention to searching the Word instead of getting in line with the world and what the world studies. They are to advance just as far as the Word will take them, and to work intelligently for this education under the impress of the Holy Spirit on the mind. Righteousness in life is the sign of understanding God's will committed through His chosen messengers.
Workers together with God approve themselves as ministers of God through a truthful message, through divine power, and through righteousness guarding on every side, joined with pureness, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, the Holy Spirit and genuine love, and with patience in afflictions, necessities, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness and fasting, and under honor and dishonor and bad and good report. True ministry is thus proved by holy character, patient endurance and God-given power rather than by outward advantage. Teachers and school workers must therefore reject cheap careless work, correct small mistakes at once, do every temporal task well, and work with diligence and exactitude because eternal interests are involved.
Armor in Spiritual Warfare
The armor of righteousness is Christ's righteousness itself, and God Himself standing as defense on the right hand and on the left. It is supplied through divine power and put on for spiritual conflict, so that truth and power equip believers for the fight. God's truth is armor on both sides, making a person strong to do what is right and only what is right. Living by His word and depending fully on Him guards against speaking or living falsely against the truth. Being so armed means refusing hasty words and resisting Satan's influence in order to keep peace and honor as a child of God and remain close to Jesus. Turning from darkness to live rightly belongs to putting on this whole armor, connected with receiving God's word and testimonies that expose errors and show the right way. Putting it on belongs to following Christ and carrying out His work under His banner and direction, remaining alert to danger, fighting faithfully, relying on God and staying near Jesus.
Truth and power with the whole armor enable overcoming the powers of darkness and keeping the victory. Truth in its simplicity and strength, as it is in Jesus, confronts the spirit of the world and can awaken persecution. The armor is the spiritual defense for opposing Satan in the name of Christ and continuing the battle against evil. Men and women must stand in their allotted place clothed in it against the powers of darkness that watch like a thief to make all the evil possible. They must refuse to give up and yield to every influence and instead do the work of overcoming in order to sit with Christ in His throne as He overcame and sat with His Father in His throne. For two lives blended in marriage this means strengthening one another, doubling influence and capability, and going wherever heaven's light shines to do a higher, more sacred and more important work for God in the future than in the past.
The armor protects ministers from Satan's temptations, and when laid aside they are exposed to his attacks. A thoughtless act or light, trifling word can then influence a soul toward a decision with eternal consequences. God's servants need the whole armor rather than relying on their own garments. Righteousness as armor is needed to withstand the enemy's assaults, for feelings and impulses cannot protect against temptation, and without it his attacks will prevail. Standing firm requires inward assurance and watchfulness in prayer. Laying off the armor is seen when professed followers give themselves to frivolous amusements and worldly pleasures, revealing weak moral independence, instability, lack of true holiness and trust in God, with earthly pleasures holding the heart.
Being proved on the right hand and on the left means close trials by which God exposes human weakness and teaches dependence on Him. These trials train and discipline people for service. Christ endured this testing, tempted as His followers are and suffering more than they, suffering because of human sin and not for His own sake. Relying on His merits, people can become victors in His name. Wearing the armor for faithful service means separating from worldly influences and motives, giving oneself wholly to Christ and working with Him. Divided loyalties and selfish aims hinder the work God intends. It means laying aside every weight and standing firmly for truth to save souls, including laying aside the armor of worldly business to put on Christ's righteousness.
Putting on the armor is a decision to be made now by laying hold of the divinity of Jesus Christ in order to receive strength to overcome as God requires. When Christ is revealed in believers, the world sees that humanity may lay hold of divinity, leaving no excuse for failing to overcome. God's people are to put it on every day. Triumph over the enemy's delusive snares comes only by close connection with God clothed in righteousness as armor. Trusting own resources, own wisdom and counsel of one's own heart, with pride taking the place of humility in independence and self-reliance, ends in certain disappointment, shame and confusion. Living and working with eye single to the glory of God brings realization of a Saviour's love and possession of a sure defense. Burying oneself in business and cares and burdens disconnected from God's work withdraws from spiritual, holy, ennobling influences, leaving the deceitful heart excusing neglect of heavenly contemplation and prayer, to be enshrouded by a worldly spirit and ensnared by Satan's schemes to blindfolded ruin.
Watching on the right hand and on the left belongs to keeping on the gospel shoes and the whole armor, requiring the love of God in the heart and cherished true faith. It requires pressing forward in hope and courage without doubt, because the Lord never disappoints. It requires living truth deeply engraved upon the heart, with grateful thanks to God and prayers seasoned with thanksgiving and praise to His holy name. Being armed with what is written means refusing hasty words and resisting Satan's influence so as to keep peace and honor as a child of God and remain close to Jesus. The armor is put on by relying wholly on Jesus and not living to self or becoming self-sufficient, by believing in God and walking before Him in meekness and humbleness of mind as clay molded in the potter's hands to be a vessel unto honor. Looking to Jesus, trusting in Jesus, and throwing whole energies into the work brings His might and power to attend the worker, who having light and knowledge of the truth imparts it to those in darkness, weaving love into character and labor and carrying a holy atmosphere that wins souls so every man may be presented perfect in Christ Jesus.
Those who receive the Holy Spirit's heavenly endowment go out to do battle for God clothed in the armor, respecting the Lord's leading and grateful for His mercy. God's children need the Spirit of Christ to put on the whole armor and go out to labor, denying self and suffering for Christ. Putting it on happens when a person feels the power of truth in the heart and searches the Scriptures earnestly. Keeping it requires continuing in study of the Word and earnest prayer. Neglect of study and prayer, especially after personal trial such as separation from a wife, leaves one without the armor, and one lacking natural abilities cannot be a laborer in the gospel field without closely searching the Scriptures, remaining deficient in presenting present truth with clear reason and unable to labor steadily in practical Bible subjects or draw strength from God.
Putting on the armor for onward work for humanity means revealing Christ in thought, word and deed as laborers together with God. It means self crucified and Christ living within as the hope of glory, continually reaching forward and growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The work of righteousness is wrought within through the mighty power God has given, so that when in weakness and feebleness a person lays hold upon the Lord, power from above is given. The armor equips a person to resist temptation and do good, by keeping away from the tempter's ground and relying on Christ to reveal His life and serve as an instrument for bringing others to salvation. True Christians are diligent soldiers who listen attentively to all warnings, forever remove the works of sin and all uncleanness, and put on Christ's righteousness. That armor is proof against all temptations, and those who wear it become faithful sentinels. Every man is called to stand to his colors with the whole armor, standing firmly and showing himself a true Christian, which means guarding the spirit of amusements especially on the school playground, because Satan and his angels are present on every occasion watching to inspire the unwary with his attributes while heavenly angels write all that is transacted in the book of record, with safety in less amusement and more hours seeking wisdom from heaven.
Daily Life and Service
The word of truth, the power of God, and the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left are timbers to be brought into character building by co-workers with Christ, and in times of perplexity and distress under heavy strain it will plainly appear whether those sound timbers were used. Entering the strait gate and traveling the narrow path cast up for the ransomed to walk in means going heavenward against obstacles, Satan and his evil angels, all transgressors of the law, earthly authorities, tribulation, bruising of spirit, hard speeches, ridicule, and persecution. It means meeting the cross in the way to life when demands are made for conformity to laws and customs that would make one disloyal to God. It means coming out from the world and being separate, having no fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness, obeying all binding requirements lest one be found at last with the rebellious. It means keeping sacred the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as the sign between God and His people brought to view in the third angel's message, honoring God in every word and act, and clinging to Christ as the limpet to the rock so the strong downward current does not sweep one away.
The chapter lays bare selfishness as spiritual deception of heart, spirit, soul, flesh and bones. The selfish one is to humble the heart, fall on the Rock and be broken, and without delay surrender whole heart, soul, strength and mind to undo what has been done. Even one who has put the Saviour to shame and made the heart wayward while blessing was offered still has hope. Those who approve themselves as ministers of God live and work by holy character, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, true teaching, divine power, and righteousness guarding on every side through honor and dishonor and good and evil report. Those who will share in Christ's glory must share in His sufferings, and therefore preparation is to be made for affliction, need, distress, beating, prison, tumult, labor, sleeplessness, watching and fasting.
Everyone who has the light of truth is to ask whether anything God expects is being left undone, to be thoroughly converted, and to shine brightly amid the moral darkness of the world. Ministers are to be people of faith expressing the pure love of God, giving no offense in anything that the ministry be not blamed, with no unkind dealing or harsh words. Obeying the truth brings the favor of God but also the opposition of the enemy, so the time will not always be easy. The way marked out for church members is to represent Christ in character as kind, tender, loving and Christlike so the world sees that God sent His Son to save sinners, by correcting thoughts, words and acts, reading and practicing the Word, and taking self sternly in hand.
Having the armor means preaching the Word in life practice, being instant in season and out of season, and ministering to souls needing conversion to Christ. Every church member is to improve opportunities to speak the truth in love, and those sound in the faith are to become acquainted in kindness, tenderness and love with those who do not know the truth in order to introduce Bible doctrine. Believers are not to assemble and cluster only among themselves but to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world to those outside. Arming with righteousness means getting ready to help souls that are wounded, bruised, tempted, struggling, wandering, erring and ready to perish. That readiness is shown in travail of soul for them, seeking them with kindly words spoken in love and sympathy, studying ways and means to help them, praying for faith and for wisdom and tact so methods may be perfected to reach the most difficult cases, cooperating with divine agencies, increasing moral efficiency, improving the light given, and becoming thoroughly furnished to impart and emit light amid moral darkness.
Putting on the armor means taking part with a generous self-sacrificing spirit in saving souls, using gifts in God's service rather than for self, and working on the right hand and on the left with whole service and abilities to do good and uplift and enlighten others. God's work is carried out through the saving Word and by serving on both sides, doing all one can to help others overcome doubts and difficulties in understanding the truth, and the Spirit makes that labor effective. Faithful performance of home duties prepares Christians as Christ's soldiers for missionary work and church service, for when Christ abides in the heart they go forth equipped for His service. Standing in the allotted place clothed with righteousness against the powers of darkness that watch to make all possible evil means refusing to yield to every influence and doing the work of overcoming in order to sit with Christ in His throne as He overcame. For two lives blended in marriage this means strengthening one another, doubling influence and capability, and going wherever heaven's light shines to do a higher, more sacred and more important work for God in the future than in the past.
Wearing righteousness means manly warfare against all falsity and wickedness in self and in others. It means showing oneself a man in the sight of God and angels who makes the most of abilities by living for God, for fellow men and for truth, first to engage in a good work and last to grow weary and discouraged in the battle. It means answering duty's call with Here am I, send me, asking what errand can be done for the Lord and what work can glorify His name, not exhausting all energies merely in serving self. Anything done for Christ is great and will bring great reward, and the work is to be done for God while looking to Him for strength and grace. Putting on righteousness calls for care and restraint in financial management and workplace relationships, avoiding rash plans and guarding against past failings.
Standing to the colors with the whole armor as true Christians means guarding the spirit that characterizes amusements, especially on the school playground. Satan and his angels are present on every such occasion watching to inspire the unwary with his attributes, while heavenly angels are also present writing all that is transacted in the book of record. Safety lies in less amusement and more hours devoted to seeking wisdom from heaven, which places souls in a far more favorable condition. God's people are to stand and work with the whole armor, and God works with them when they work with Him, but He does not endorse plans that oppose His purposes. The call to put on the armor is a call to join the work of warning the cities, coming even at personal sacrifice as at the Wellington camp meeting, with blessing promised on such effort.
The appeal calls those working with God not to receive His grace in vain but to prove themselves His ministers by truthful speech and message, by divine power, and by being equipped and guarded on every side with righteousness. Those means stand together with pureness, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit and genuine love, exercised through afflictions, hardships, disciplines and contrasting treatment of honor and dishonor. The armor itself is Christ's righteousness and God as a covering on both hands, making a person strong to do only what is right. Clothed in it, believers overcome the powers of darkness, oppose Satan in Christ's name, and stand firm in their appointed place as Christ overcame. This is the highest education, found in God's Word and its principles, with no higher learning in all the world.
Verse Wording and Setting
The verse belongs to the appeal to workers together with God not to receive the grace of God in vain but to approve themselves as ministers of God in all things. It is one of the conditions in 2 Corinthians 6:1-18 that bind every soul taking the Christian name and in no case should be neglected, calling Christians to answer the exalted possibility of revealing Christ's character in works as His appointed chosen representatives to an apostate world. It shows how true ministers approve themselves, giving no offense in anything that the ministry be not blamed, but carrying the ministry of reconciliation as ambassadors for Christ.
By the word of truth means by truthful speech and a truthful message, by the power of God means by divine power, and by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left means equipped and guarded by righteousness on both hands and on every side. This armor is part of the means by which God's ministers prove themselves faithful in their work and remain faithful amid hardship, opposition, and differing reports of them.
Its setting joins these means with pureness, knowledge, long-suffering, kindness, the Holy Spirit and unfeigned love. It joins them also with much patience in afflictions, necessities, distresses, stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings and fastings. It joins them further with standing through honor and dishonor and evil report and good report.
The exhortation is more appropriate now than ever because the Lord is soon to come and perilous times are before us. The accepted time and day of salvation is NOW, an eternal NOW, because no one owns tomorrow and there is no tomorrow that belongs to anyone.
The chapter is instruction to be carried into daily life with encouragement, and families who practice its instructions are safeguarded against errors threatening the churches. It belongs to the Laodicean message to God's people in their present spiritual condition, calling them for Christ's sake to open their eyes to discern spiritual things. That call is to refuse fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial, believer and infidel, and the temple of God and idols, to come out and be separate and touch not the unclean thing, and to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit in perfecting holiness in the fear of God in order to be received as sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty.
Proving Faithful Ministry
A gospel minister proves himself by living as an example of the truths he teaches and by giving no offense in anything, so that the ministry is not blamed. This is Paul's own picture of his work, carried on by truthful speech and message, by divine power, and by righteousness as armor on every side, together with patience, pureness, knowledge, long-suffering, kindness, the Holy Spirit and unfeigned love amid afflictions, necessities, distresses, stripes, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings and fastings. Ministers are to be men of faith expressing the pure love of God, with no unkind dealing or harsh words. They approve themselves as workers together with God who have not received the grace of God in vain, carrying the ministry of reconciliation as ambassadors for Christ.
True ministry is proved by holy character, patient endurance and God-given power rather than by outward advantage. It stands guarded by righteousness on every side through honor and dishonor and through evil report and good report, with patience under beating, need, distress, prison, tumult, labor, sleeplessness and fasting. Those who will share in Christ's glory must share in His sufferings, so believers should prepare for affliction and trial to come. This requires thorough conversion and shining brightly for the Lord amid the moral darkness of the world, with everyone who has the light of truth asking whether anything God expects has been left undone. The same proving calls teachers and school workers to reject cheap careless work, to correct small mistakes at once, to do every temporal task well, and to work with diligence and exactitude because eternal interests are involved.
Ministering brethren must take heed to the precious Word of God, strive to be wise shepherds, and hide themselves in Christ. They are to labor together as God's mouthpiece to encourage and give hope, with God working with His servants as they depend on Him rather than on their own ideas. Canvassers who share the truths contained in Christian books are workers together with God and are to serve in this same way, by the word of truth, by God's power, and by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. Bible workers are to be equipped with the armor of righteousness to fight the Lord's battles as they teach the Scriptures and carry the gospel to the world, and workers in city and open-air ministry must be equipped with the whole armor of righteousness.
Genuine conversion brings a person into living connection with Christ and makes that person a channel of light to the world, shown in a minister by following Christ and serving as an example to others.
True Higher Education
The highest education is found in God's Word and its principles, and there is no higher or more exalted education in all the world. This instruction was given first to the early disciples and is now given through the Word as light on what true education is. The word of truth, the power of God, and the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left belong to the principles that make up that higher education.
God's ministers serve and prove themselves through the word of truth and God's power, equipped with righteousness as armor on both hands. That righteousness enables them to stand and serve amid the trials and contrasting treatment described in the surrounding verses.
Students must diligently study and comprehend this instruction, giving special attention to searching the Word instead of getting in line with the world and what the world studies. They are to advance just as far as the Word will take them, and to work intelligently for this education under the impress of the Holy Spirit on the mind. Righteousness in life is the sign of understanding God's will committed through His chosen messengers.
Workers together with God approve themselves as ministers of God through a truthful message, through divine power, and through righteousness guarding on every side, joined with pureness, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, the Holy Spirit and genuine love, and with patience in afflictions, necessities, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness and fasting, and under honor and dishonor and bad and good report. True ministry is thus proved by holy character, patient endurance and God-given power rather than by outward advantage. Teachers and school workers must therefore reject cheap careless work, correct small mistakes at once, do every temporal task well, and work with diligence and exactitude because eternal interests are involved.
Armor in Spiritual Warfare
The armor of righteousness is Christ's righteousness itself, and God Himself standing as defense on the right hand and on the left. It is supplied through divine power and put on for spiritual conflict, so that truth and power equip believers for the fight. God's truth is armor on both sides, making a person strong to do what is right and only what is right. Living by His word and depending fully on Him guards against speaking or living falsely against the truth. Being so armed means refusing hasty words and resisting Satan's influence in order to keep peace and honor as a child of God and remain close to Jesus. Turning from darkness to live rightly belongs to putting on this whole armor, connected with receiving God's word and testimonies that expose errors and show the right way. Putting it on belongs to following Christ and carrying out His work under His banner and direction, remaining alert to danger, fighting faithfully, relying on God and staying near Jesus.
Truth and power with the whole armor enable overcoming the powers of darkness and keeping the victory. Truth in its simplicity and strength, as it is in Jesus, confronts the spirit of the world and can awaken persecution. The armor is the spiritual defense for opposing Satan in the name of Christ and continuing the battle against evil. Men and women must stand in their allotted place clothed in it against the powers of darkness that watch like a thief to make all the evil possible. They must refuse to give up and yield to every influence and instead do the work of overcoming in order to sit with Christ in His throne as He overcame and sat with His Father in His throne. For two lives blended in marriage this means strengthening one another, doubling influence and capability, and going wherever heaven's light shines to do a higher, more sacred and more important work for God in the future than in the past.
The armor protects ministers from Satan's temptations, and when laid aside they are exposed to his attacks. A thoughtless act or light, trifling word can then influence a soul toward a decision with eternal consequences. God's servants need the whole armor rather than relying on their own garments. Righteousness as armor is needed to withstand the enemy's assaults, for feelings and impulses cannot protect against temptation, and without it his attacks will prevail. Standing firm requires inward assurance and watchfulness in prayer. Laying off the armor is seen when professed followers give themselves to frivolous amusements and worldly pleasures, revealing weak moral independence, instability, lack of true holiness and trust in God, with earthly pleasures holding the heart.
Being proved on the right hand and on the left means close trials by which God exposes human weakness and teaches dependence on Him. These trials train and discipline people for service. Christ endured this testing, tempted as His followers are and suffering more than they, suffering because of human sin and not for His own sake. Relying on His merits, people can become victors in His name. Wearing the armor for faithful service means separating from worldly influences and motives, giving oneself wholly to Christ and working with Him. Divided loyalties and selfish aims hinder the work God intends. It means laying aside every weight and standing firmly for truth to save souls, including laying aside the armor of worldly business to put on Christ's righteousness.
Putting on the armor is a decision to be made now by laying hold of the divinity of Jesus Christ in order to receive strength to overcome as God requires. When Christ is revealed in believers, the world sees that humanity may lay hold of divinity, leaving no excuse for failing to overcome. God's people are to put it on every day. Triumph over the enemy's delusive snares comes only by close connection with God clothed in righteousness as armor. Trusting own resources, own wisdom and counsel of one's own heart, with pride taking the place of humility in independence and self-reliance, ends in certain disappointment, shame and confusion. Living and working with eye single to the glory of God brings realization of a Saviour's love and possession of a sure defense. Burying oneself in business and cares and burdens disconnected from God's work withdraws from spiritual, holy, ennobling influences, leaving the deceitful heart excusing neglect of heavenly contemplation and prayer, to be enshrouded by a worldly spirit and ensnared by Satan's schemes to blindfolded ruin.
Watching on the right hand and on the left belongs to keeping on the gospel shoes and the whole armor, requiring the love of God in the heart and cherished true faith. It requires pressing forward in hope and courage without doubt, because the Lord never disappoints. It requires living truth deeply engraved upon the heart, with grateful thanks to God and prayers seasoned with thanksgiving and praise to His holy name. Being armed with what is written means refusing hasty words and resisting Satan's influence so as to keep peace and honor as a child of God and remain close to Jesus. The armor is put on by relying wholly on Jesus and not living to self or becoming self-sufficient, by believing in God and walking before Him in meekness and humbleness of mind as clay molded in the potter's hands to be a vessel unto honor. Looking to Jesus, trusting in Jesus, and throwing whole energies into the work brings His might and power to attend the worker, who having light and knowledge of the truth imparts it to those in darkness, weaving love into character and labor and carrying a holy atmosphere that wins souls so every man may be presented perfect in Christ Jesus.
Those who receive the Holy Spirit's heavenly endowment go out to do battle for God clothed in the armor, respecting the Lord's leading and grateful for His mercy. God's children need the Spirit of Christ to put on the whole armor and go out to labor, denying self and suffering for Christ. Putting it on happens when a person feels the power of truth in the heart and searches the Scriptures earnestly. Keeping it requires continuing in study of the Word and earnest prayer. Neglect of study and prayer, especially after personal trial such as separation from a wife, leaves one without the armor, and one lacking natural abilities cannot be a laborer in the gospel field without closely searching the Scriptures, remaining deficient in presenting present truth with clear reason and unable to labor steadily in practical Bible subjects or draw strength from God.
Putting on the armor for onward work for humanity means revealing Christ in thought, word and deed as laborers together with God. It means self crucified and Christ living within as the hope of glory, continually reaching forward and growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The work of righteousness is wrought within through the mighty power God has given, so that when in weakness and feebleness a person lays hold upon the Lord, power from above is given. The armor equips a person to resist temptation and do good, by keeping away from the tempter's ground and relying on Christ to reveal His life and serve as an instrument for bringing others to salvation. True Christians are diligent soldiers who listen attentively to all warnings, forever remove the works of sin and all uncleanness, and put on Christ's righteousness. That armor is proof against all temptations, and those who wear it become faithful sentinels. Every man is called to stand to his colors with the whole armor, standing firmly and showing himself a true Christian, which means guarding the spirit of amusements especially on the school playground, because Satan and his angels are present on every occasion watching to inspire the unwary with his attributes while heavenly angels write all that is transacted in the book of record, with safety in less amusement and more hours seeking wisdom from heaven.
Daily Life and Service
The word of truth, the power of God, and the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left are timbers to be brought into character building by co-workers with Christ, and in times of perplexity and distress under heavy strain it will plainly appear whether those sound timbers were used. Entering the strait gate and traveling the narrow path cast up for the ransomed to walk in means going heavenward against obstacles, Satan and his evil angels, all transgressors of the law, earthly authorities, tribulation, bruising of spirit, hard speeches, ridicule, and persecution. It means meeting the cross in the way to life when demands are made for conformity to laws and customs that would make one disloyal to God. It means coming out from the world and being separate, having no fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness, obeying all binding requirements lest one be found at last with the rebellious. It means keeping sacred the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as the sign between God and His people brought to view in the third angel's message, honoring God in every word and act, and clinging to Christ as the limpet to the rock so the strong downward current does not sweep one away.
The chapter lays bare selfishness as spiritual deception of heart, spirit, soul, flesh and bones. The selfish one is to humble the heart, fall on the Rock and be broken, and without delay surrender whole heart, soul, strength and mind to undo what has been done. Even one who has put the Saviour to shame and made the heart wayward while blessing was offered still has hope. Those who approve themselves as ministers of God live and work by holy character, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, true teaching, divine power, and righteousness guarding on every side through honor and dishonor and good and evil report. Those who will share in Christ's glory must share in His sufferings, and therefore preparation is to be made for affliction, need, distress, beating, prison, tumult, labor, sleeplessness, watching and fasting.
Everyone who has the light of truth is to ask whether anything God expects is being left undone, to be thoroughly converted, and to shine brightly amid the moral darkness of the world. Ministers are to be people of faith expressing the pure love of God, giving no offense in anything that the ministry be not blamed, with no unkind dealing or harsh words. Obeying the truth brings the favor of God but also the opposition of the enemy, so the time will not always be easy. The way marked out for church members is to represent Christ in character as kind, tender, loving and Christlike so the world sees that God sent His Son to save sinners, by correcting thoughts, words and acts, reading and practicing the Word, and taking self sternly in hand.
Having the armor means preaching the Word in life practice, being instant in season and out of season, and ministering to souls needing conversion to Christ. Every church member is to improve opportunities to speak the truth in love, and those sound in the faith are to become acquainted in kindness, tenderness and love with those who do not know the truth in order to introduce Bible doctrine. Believers are not to assemble and cluster only among themselves but to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world to those outside. Arming with righteousness means getting ready to help souls that are wounded, bruised, tempted, struggling, wandering, erring and ready to perish. That readiness is shown in travail of soul for them, seeking them with kindly words spoken in love and sympathy, studying ways and means to help them, praying for faith and for wisdom and tact so methods may be perfected to reach the most difficult cases, cooperating with divine agencies, increasing moral efficiency, improving the light given, and becoming thoroughly furnished to impart and emit light amid moral darkness.
Putting on the armor means taking part with a generous self-sacrificing spirit in saving souls, using gifts in God's service rather than for self, and working on the right hand and on the left with whole service and abilities to do good and uplift and enlighten others. God's work is carried out through the saving Word and by serving on both sides, doing all one can to help others overcome doubts and difficulties in understanding the truth, and the Spirit makes that labor effective. Faithful performance of home duties prepares Christians as Christ's soldiers for missionary work and church service, for when Christ abides in the heart they go forth equipped for His service. Standing in the allotted place clothed with righteousness against the powers of darkness that watch to make all possible evil means refusing to yield to every influence and doing the work of overcoming in order to sit with Christ in His throne as He overcame. For two lives blended in marriage this means strengthening one another, doubling influence and capability, and going wherever heaven's light shines to do a higher, more sacred and more important work for God in the future than in the past.
Wearing righteousness means manly warfare against all falsity and wickedness in self and in others. It means showing oneself a man in the sight of God and angels who makes the most of abilities by living for God, for fellow men and for truth, first to engage in a good work and last to grow weary and discouraged in the battle. It means answering duty's call with Here am I, send me, asking what errand can be done for the Lord and what work can glorify His name, not exhausting all energies merely in serving self. Anything done for Christ is great and will bring great reward, and the work is to be done for God while looking to Him for strength and grace. Putting on righteousness calls for care and restraint in financial management and workplace relationships, avoiding rash plans and guarding against past failings.
Standing to the colors with the whole armor as true Christians means guarding the spirit that characterizes amusements, especially on the school playground. Satan and his angels are present on every such occasion watching to inspire the unwary with his attributes, while heavenly angels are also present writing all that is transacted in the book of record. Safety lies in less amusement and more hours devoted to seeking wisdom from heaven, which places souls in a far more favorable condition. God's people are to stand and work with the whole armor, and God works with them when they work with Him, but He does not endorse plans that oppose His purposes. The call to put on the armor is a call to join the work of warning the cities, coming even at personal sacrifice as at the Wellington camp meeting, with blessing promised on such effort.