I NEED not ask if you have ever seen a soldier, for who of us has not?
At the commencement of the Christian era it used to be the Roman soldier that was so much in evidence. So familiar a sight everywhere was the Roman soldier with his formidable equipment, his armor for offence and defense, what he wore and what he wielded, that the Apostle Paul, when writing his wonderful letter or Epistle to the Ephesian Christians. felt sure they would quite understand him if he compared the different Christian virtues or qualities to the various weapons which together made up the Roman soldier’s panoply. “Truth” the apostle likened to a girdle; “righteousness” was like a breastplate; “faith like a shield; “salvation” like a helmet. “Peace” he compared to the soldier’s sandals, or footwear; while what answered to the sword, which the soldier so firmly held in his hand, was “the Word of God.”
Why is “truth” like a girdle? Because it braces up the thoughts and affections, the mind and the heart, of the Christian, and makes him strong to act for God.
Why is “righteousness” like a breastplate? Because it enables the Christian warrior to fearlessly face his spiritual enemies, the wicked powers in heavenly places.
Why is “faith” like a shield? Because it guards the Christian against all false thoughts and feelings about what God is, and about what God has done, for him.
Why is “salvation” like a helmet? Because it crowns the Christian with joy and confidence in God his Saviour.
Why is “peace” like the soldier’s sandals or foot-covering? Because it keeps the Christian from being distressed in spirit as he passes along a rough and thorny path, through this evil world.
Why is “the Word of God” like a sword? Because it is piercing and penetrating, “even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow; and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”; and because it is that effective weapon by means of which the Christian’s spiritual foes are defeated, and made to flee.
If you, dear children, are Christians, if you know you belong to Christ the Lord, then read those verses 10 to 18 of Ephesians 6; and be sure not to forget to act on the first two words in verse 18, “Praying always.”
ML 10/26/1924