1Ti_1:18. The Christian Warfare
"War a good warfare."’971Ti_1:18.
War is a word pregnant with horror it is associated with all that is disastrous terrible, and horrific. David thus prayed, "O God, scatter the people who delight in war." Who can describe the wretchedness, wo, and wailings, war hath produced on our earth? The earth has been made to groan to its centre, and its surface has been crimsoned with human blood. War rushed into our world through the passage which sin had opened, and it has run parallel with all ages, until the present hour. It is, however, doomed to have a sure and everlasting termination. Hence, Isaiah has predicted, "When they shall beat their swords," &c., Isa_2:4. Every benevolent heart will pray, Lord, hasten it in thine own time! Revelation directs our attention to a warfare carried on by Satan, and his host of angels, against God, see Rev_12:7. Now, this he still wages against God and his saints on earth. This warfare shall also be brought to a glorious and final issue, Rev_20:1-10. Now, in this conflict, all human beings on earth are concerned, and deeply interested. All unrenewed persons who are in their sins and unbelief, are allied with the powers of hell, and are fighting against God and his Anointed Hence, sinners are described as enemies to God; as rebels, &c. Now, this is a warfare of the most base and infatuated character. "Wo unto him that striveth." The result must be ruinous to the sinner. The Lord will destroy such with the breath of his mouth, and with the brightness of his coming. Now. the saints of God, all who have been renewed in their minds by the Spirit and grace of God, have to resist these spiritual foes, and are engaged under Jesus, to contend against the powers of Satan, and to "war a good warfare."
I. Let us describe the Christian Warfare.
II. Advert to its declared Excellency.
III. Urge it upon your personal and practical Attention.
"War," &c.
I. Let us describe the Christian Warfare.
A warfare,
1. Implies enemies.
Now, the enemies against whom we have to contend, are threefold.
(1) Satan and the powers of darkness. Called Satan, adversary, Abaddon the destroyer; compared to a roaring lion, &c. Now, this class of enemies are invisible, being spirits; have access to our souls; numerous, they throng the air, &c., powerful, ever active, and hold countless myriads under their power. Now, we read of the wiles of the devil, Eph_6:11; of the fiery darts of the wicked one, Eph_6:16; and of the snares of the devil, 1Ti_5:7.
(2) There is the world in its numerous evils. Now, at present it is Satan’s seat and empire; "the god of this world;" the world is fallen, in arms against God, full of snares, &c. "The friendship of the world," &c. Hence, Christ’s prayer, "I pray not," &c. The apostle said, "The world is crucified to me," &c. Its maxims, pleasures, riches, company, &c.; its smiles and allurements; its frowns and attacks.
(3) The human heart. Naturally against God, and indisposed to all good, Rom_9:18. "In me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing." Now, this heart must be subjected to divine grace, mortified, made progressively wiser and holier. Sanctified wholly," &c. A warfare,
2. Implies weapons.
Now, these are referred to, Eph_6:13. These must be distinctly taken up hereafter.
3. It includes active conflict.
Christians are not soldiers in the camp at ease, or in the city in peace, but in the field. When converted, their carnal weapons are thrown aside, and they receive the panoply divine, the whole armor of God It begins with the Christian life, and progresses with it, and only ends at the hour of death. It is a daily warfare, a constant conflict, an incessant struggle Let us,
II. Advert to its declared Excellency
"Good warfare."
1. It is a warfare in a good cause.
Truth and righteousness are its basis. Cause, holiness against sin; of truth against error; of happiness against misery; of God against Satan; of heaven against hell; of salvation against destruction.
2. It is a warfare under a good Captain.
Christ is the Captain of salvation. He possesses every illustrious qualification; infinite skill, omnipotent power, invincible courage, &c., unbounded affection and tenderness for his troops.
3. It is a warfare possessing good resources. Abundant ammunition, exhaustless provisions, and accessible fortresses of security in every hour of peril.
4. It is a warfare presenting the most delightful and glorious prospect.
Safety is guarantied; victory is pledged; and immortality and eternal life promised. Let us,
III. Urge it upon your personal and practical Attention.
1. In this warfare you are to be individually engaged.
All offices in the church, all ranks, all ages, &c.; none can do this by proxy or substitute.
2. In its prosecution we shall require much gracious assistance.
Especially knowledge; disposedness to fight and to endure hardness; deny ourselves, &c. Let us labor to feel our entire dependence upon God. Energy, vigilance, patience 3. A prayerful looking to Jesus, will enable us to stand fast and persevere.
It is a fight of faith, and not of sight. We must be found near to the Saviour, followers of the Saviour; "Looking to Jesus, the Author," &c.
Application
1. Encourage the troops of Christ. From past conquests. Present, future prospects.
2. Alarm the ungodly, who are fighting against God 3. Exhort the inquiring to enrol under he blood-stained banner of the cross
Autor: JABEZ BURNS