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The church is presented to us as the Lord's army (Eph. 6:10-18). As the fullness of Christ, the
church is engaged in an ongoing battle with principalities, powers, world rulers of darkness in heavenly
places. Those who press the battle against these enemies are soldiers, standing together under the Captain
of their salvation, Jesus Christ. They are strong not in their own resources, but in the Lord.
Those who have enlisted in this divine army will refrain from donning the modern Philistine armor of chain mail, but will array themselves in "the whole armor of God." They will gird "their loins with truth," buckling on "the breastplate of righteousness," having their feet shod with "the preparation of the gospel of peace," protected by "the shield of faith" and "the helmet of salvation" while wielding "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," and be ever vigilant, "watching with all prayer and supplication." All of the weapons and equipment provided for the Lord's army are offensive in nature. The Captain of our salvation has made no provisions for defensive action, to say nothing of retreat. The Lord expects His church to be an offensive force against sin and error. No provision should be made for a "holding action" or as some would put it, "keeping house for the Lord." We must earnestly contend and fight for the faith of the gospel in order to free those held hostage in sin by the enemy of righteousness. |