620. 2CO 10:4. THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE

2Co_10:4. The Christian Warfare

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds."’972Co_10:4.

This world was created by Christ, and for him. He, therefore, is its rightful Lord and Ruler. He is the one blessed and glorious Potentate, unto whom all homage and tribute should be paid. Sin introduced anarchy and rebellion into our world. Man revolted from God, allied himself to Satan, the usurper, and placed himself in an attitude of defiance to the Most High. God could have easily overthrown his rebellious creatures; he could have destroyed them with "the breath of his mouth," and "the brightness of his presence." But "in wrath hath he remembered mercy." He adopted an expedient of grace by which his banished ones might not be expelled from him. The rebel now has the offer of life’97now he may return to God, and be forgiven. The preaching of the gospel is that instrumentality which God employs for restoring men to his favor. "Through the ignorance that is in them," men place themselves in opposition to the gospel, Eph_4:18. They refuse to hear it, or do not believe it. They cavil at its doctrines, or refuse to obey its precepts. In one word, they dislike Christ’s kingdom; and say with the servants in the parable, "We will not have this man to reign over us," Luk_19:14. Now, to subdue these is the great end of the Christian ministry. Graciously to conquer these is the design of the preaching of the cross; and the text refers to the character of our weapons and the success of our efforts. "The weapons of our warfare," etc. Notice,

I. The warfare referred to.

"Our warfare." Now, our warfare is distinguished from all other scenes of conflict:’97

1. It is Divine, and not diabolical. War is the general result of hellish passion, and sin. See Jam_4:1, Jam_4:2. Most wars originate from beneath. This is a divine and heavenly warfare. The Son of the ever-blessed God is the "Captain of our salvation."

2. This is a holy, and not an unrighteous war. Wars generally arise from avarice, or ambition, or revenge; and are generally wicked and abominable in the sight of God. This war, on the other hand, is based on righteousness. It is the cause of truth, and justice, and equity. It is the cause of holiness against sin. Of obedience against rebellion. Of the reign of God, against the usurpation of the prince of darkness.

3. It is a benevolent, and not a carnal war. War aims at spreading misery, devastation, and death. War is one of those insatiable monsters, that has often spread terror, and misery, and woe, through the length and breadth of our world. Peace, comfort, health, and felicity, are exiled by its terrific influence. Our war is one of compassion, of tenderest goodness, and sweetest mercy. Paradoxical as it may appear, our banners bear the symbol of a Lamb. And this is the inscription, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men," Luk_2:14. It produces real and abiding blessings, and spreads comfort and felicity in its triumphal course. It offers health, and peace, and life.

4. It is a blessed and not an accursed war. It bears along with it every national, domestic, and personal blessing. It strews its flowers of gladness all around. "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose," Isa_35:1. Contrast those countries where it has extended its conquests, and those where Satan the usurper still reigns. In the one, is intelligence; in the other, ignorance. In the one, civilization; in the other, barbarism. In the one, domestic comfort; in the other, family despotism. In the one, man sinks to the level of the brute; in the other, he rises Almost to an equality with angels. Notice, II. The strongholds in which sinners intrench themselves in their opposition to God. Of these, we notice,

1. The stronghold of ignorance. Satan blinds his votaries. Ignorance is essential to the duration of his kingdom. It is the kingdom of darkness. Error is the main pillar on which it rests. Now, men do not know the true state of things. They will not consider the great question. They will not come to the light. This is criminal ignorance’97wilful closing the eyes against the light of heaven.

2. The stronghold of prejudice. This is the general result of ignorance. Hence, how readily persons seize hold of the most trifling objections to religion. Any foolish thing will satisfy them, if it be against God’s holy word and truth. Sometimes this prejudice is against doctrines, or duties, or against the people of God. It is often, however, deadly and fatal.

3. The stronghold of pride. This is a common barrier to the salvation of the soul. Sin commenced with it. It is one of the last things to be given up, yet it is incompatible with the spirit of the gospel. "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble," 1Pe_5:5. Sinners must be abased. Men must confess their iniquity. They must repent, and receive the kingdom of God as a little child, Mar_10:15. They must become nothing, and "Christ be all in all." Thus the gospel was foolishness to the Greeks.

4. The stronghold of Mammon. Love of this present world. A desire to gain the riches of time. Setting the affections on things on the earth. This was the stronghold of Balaam, the false prophet’97he preferred gain to godliness, Numbers 22, &c. This was the stronghold of Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, 2Ki_5:20, &c. Of the young man who came to Christ, Mat_19:22. Of Judas, Mat_26:15. Of Demas, 2Ti_4:10. Of Simon Magus, Act_18:18. Of Ananias and Sapphira, Act_18:1-10.

5. The stronghold of unbelief The rejection of the truth. Not crediting the gospel. Men do not believe their state so evil and dangerous. They will not believe "that all have sinned," Rom_2:23; and that "the wicked shall be turned into hell," Psa_9:17. They will not believe in the requirements of the gospel, "repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ," Act_20:21. Neither do they believe the threatenings of the word of God. Unbelief is a gross attack upon the truth of God, and continually throws back the offer of grace and salvation. These are some of the strongholds. Observe,

III. The weapons by which they are to be overthrown. Now, the weapons are described, negatively, as "not carnal;" and then, positively, in their efficiency, "mighty through God." Observe, carnal weapons are disowned. Among these we notice,

1. The sword. This was the weapon by which Mohammedanism was extended. This was the weapon Peter drew forth to defend the Saviour in the garden. This has too often been employed by the intolerant, and the dominant sects of the professed churches of Christ. This may make slaves, hypocrites, and formalists.

2. Temporal reward is a carnal weapon. The multitude followed Christ because of the loaves and fishes. Men have been known to purchase proselytes in this way. Is not this calculated to extend cupidity and deceit?

3. Sophistry and specious reasonings are carnal weapons. This was one of the chief weapons of the ancient schools of philosophers. They reasoned, and philosophized, and had their profound mysteries, &c. But "my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory," 1Co_2:4-7.

Now, carnal weapons we totally disown and reprobate, in all matters of conscience and religion. Observe, our weapons are the truths of the gospel. The "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;" and this used plainly, simply, yet earnestly, is effective to the overthrow and "pulling down of the strongholds" of sin and Satan. The stronghold of ignorance is overthrown by the gospel of truth. The stronghold of prejudice is to be met by the simple facts and statements of the gospel. The stronghold of pride is to be overthrown by the revealed and exalted glories of another world. The stronghold of Mammon, by offering the riches of eternity. The stronghold of unbelief, by the persuasive statements of the evidences of Christianity. The gospel can do all this. It is mighty to produce all these momentous and glorious effects. It is God’s own instrument. It is full of the wisdom and power of God. It is that by which the Spirit carries on and perpetuates the kingdom of Christ. Numerous are the evidences of its blissful triumphs. They have existed in all ages, in all countries, and in all ranks and classes of mankind. Many of you are evidences of it’97"ye are our epistles, written in our hearts, known and read of all men," 2Co_3:2.

Application

Learn,

1. The only means we are to employ for the extension of Christianity. We repudiate all carnal weapons’97the sword and bayonet instrumentality, &c. We must avoid intolerance, bigotry, and coercion. The truth is to convert the world, and lift it up to a holy state of divine exaltation and bliss. And the truth must be preached in love.

2. These means must be faithfully and perseveringly employed. We are responsible to God, and to our dying fellowmen, for an earnest devotedness to the eternal interests of our perishing race.

3. The means we employ are Divine, and must ultimately and universally prevail.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS