358. EPH 6:14. THE GIRDLE

Eph_6:14. The Girdle

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth."’97Eph_6:14

The Apostle in this paragraph calls our attention to the various parts of the Christian armor, as specified in the paragraph connected with the text. The first of these must engage our attention on the present occasion, "The girdle of truth." Some of the ancient girdles were broad, in which plates of silver or brass were put for defence. The girdle seems to have been in tended for three purposes:

(1) To bind the garments, which were of a loose and flowing description, and which would have been a great hinderance to the warrior.

(2) To give support to the loins, amidst the fatigues of the war, and thus they were used by pilgrims, or persons placed in situations of toil. Hence Elisha ordered Gehazi his servant to gird up his loins, and go to the house of the Shunammite. John, the herald of Christ, wore a leathern girdle, &c.

(3) To defend the heart, &c. The military girdle was especially designed for this. Now, the Christian graces and virtues must not be loose and flowing, but concentrated, and bound together by the girdle of truth. The Christian will be in danger of fainting by fatigue; to prevent this, his loins must be girt by truth. He is liable to the dangerous weapons of the enemy, and he must have his military plated girdle, by which he may be effectually preserved from harm. "Stand therefore," &c.

I. The Nature and Importance of the Girdle recommended.

II. The Means necessary to be employed in carrying the Recommendation into Effect

I. The Nature and Importance of the Girdle.

Now observe, it is "Truth;" which is recommended.

1. There must be doctrinal truth in the understanding and judgment, in opposition to error.

Inseparable connection between faith and practice. The first sin was introduced by believing one of the lies of the devil. The Jews became an apostate nation, by mingling their own errors with the doctrines of God; until they rendered the commandments of God of none effect. The Galatians subverted the essential principles of the Gospel among them, by believing the errors of Judaizing teachers, &c. In all doctrines, in all ordinances, and in all the principles of Christianity, let us be anxious to have our loins girded about by truth.

2. There is the experimental truth of the Gospel, in opposition to mere formality in religion.

A man may read the books of a traveller, and give a cold assent to the descriptions it contains, but one who goes through the country itself, and sees it for himself, knows indeed and of a truth. Now it is not enough to know religion as taught in the Bible, preached in the house of God; it is not enough to admit it on the ground of the testimonies of others, but we must know and feel it for ourselves. Thus the Samaritan did, &c. Now, by personal realization of the blessings of the Gospel, we must have our loins girded with truth; then we shall know "that it is a faithful saying," &c.; we shall be able to say, "Christ loved us, and gave himself," &c.

3. There is the truth of profession in opposition to temporizing neutrality.

There cannot really be neutrality in religion, but we may assume a position which may appear to be so. Every Christian has heard and felt the truth. "Ye shall know the truth," &c. Sanctified by the truth; as such, Christ expects that they should be witnesses and confessors of the truth. Such was the man who was born blind; he boldly and fearlessly professed the truth. His parents did not. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, whole multitudes of his disciples blessed God, and said, "Blessed be the King," &c. Luk_19:40. Now believers are to stand as Christ’s professing disciples, bearing witness of and to the truth. So did the apostles Act_5:27

See their reply ver. 32, and their feelings, ver. 41.

4. There is the truth of sincerity, in opposition to guile and dissimulation.

(1) Now it is of the utmost importance that truth should distinguish our conversation, "Speaking the truth in love." David prayed, "Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips." Psalms 130. It is said, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord." See Eph_4:25. In business, in the domestic circle, in all things let us cultivate the spirit of truth in our conversation.

(2) Now the truth of sincerity should also distinguish all our religious actions. There is sincere prayer, and hypocrisy; sincere confession of sin, and that which is false. So of liberality, of zeal, &c. Now God demands sincerity; he expects the loins to be girded with truth. Now the Apostle says, "Grace be with them that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." We are to stand, having our loins girt about with truth. Now,

II. Let us consider the Means necessary to be employed in carrying out the Recommendation of the Text.

If we would have our loins girt, &c.

1. Let us take care to be enriched with the truths of God’s holy word.

David said, "Thy word have I hid in my heart," &c. Now this is the soul’s preservation, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly," &c. When errors are abroad; when the soul is likely to sink into formality; when it is our temporal interest to temporize, how shall a man cleanse his way? only by taking heed to God’s word. Hence we are exhorted to pay the more earnest heed, &c.

2. Let us keep prominently before us the divine model of truth.

Christ has left us an example, &c. How did he speak, and act, and profess, &c.? He was holy, harmless, &c. He did no sin, nor was guile found in his lips. We must hear him, behold him, imbibe his spirit, &c.

3. We must pray for the constant aid of the Spirit of truth.

Christ promised the Spirit of truth, which should lead his disciples into all truth. He will purify the heart; burn the dross and tin; expel the leaven of hypocrisy, &c.; make the flame on the altar of our hear pure. Now do not forget, that the possession of the Holy Spirit is really essential truly indispensable; he will guide truly, influence truly, support truly, &c.

Application

Now let me enforce the subject by reminding you, that attention to the text is,

1. Essential to your safety. We must be of the truth, and the truth must be in us, or we cannot be saved. It is,

2. Connected with our comfort. Truth and sincerity are essential to a good conscience, and to genuine peace. We cannot have the comforts of the Spirit of God without this.

3. Exhort sinners to believe the truth and be saved. This is the truth, that you are guilty, condemned, &c.; that Christ has died, &c.; that you may be justified freely, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS