The Omaha guide., 1946-11-30

MEMORY SELECTlCN-Finally. m
brethren. be stroro m the Lord s71
the power Of his might -Ephesians els
The war is never over for thr
Christian. He is called TO a CO \
slant strife against the world. II
flesh and the devil. which knows r
armistice or peace conference 81
long as he lives or the Lord tarrles
Paul, who had now set out on his
third missionary. journey. was this
time permitted of the Holv Spirit Il
witness and minister in Asia
For three months ne spoFe in IT,
synagogue, as was his custom. bi
when his ministry resulted in many
converts others hardened ther
selves in opposition, So he withdrew
"a bit Of strategy in this spiritusl
warfare) to neutral ground in tn
school Of one Tyrannus," where hi
could teach and reason with them
daily.
Paul knew by experience that thi
could not 60 on. for he had learne
as we should learn to
1. Expect Opposition - It VII
Come (Acts 19:23-3ol.
! The comfortable and contente'l
;Christians of our day who just war
TO be let alone to carry on thei-'
worship are certainly not related t"
the real Christians Of Paurs type
The enemy Of our souls is ofte'
content to let US 60 on in compare
tive peace as long as we do nof
bother him unduly, but once we put
up the banner of a holy life ana
service in Gods army, he begins a
terrific c~ounterattack. Paul had fel
lit already in the hardening of lis
~Iteners' hearts ". 81.
/. Selfish Opposition Wv. 23-2O
One way to bring a violent reaction
against spiritual truth is to let i
interfere with business. Demetrius
and his fellow silversmiths pro-
fessed to be concerned about tho
threatened destruction Of the heath,
en- worship of Diana.
! Many of the enemies of the Cos
pei in DUR time are fighting against
Gods Word because they r in
"a business which is condemned byi
it.
! 2. SenseIess Tumu1 wv. Z5-5Ul
Knowing that their opposition was
without true foundation. they in
Srired and agitated a wild demon
ssration. /
Shouting a slogan which had no.
real meaning, they lent their voices
% the tumultuous agitation against
Cod. Finally, one sensible man !,
tearing the punishment of city OF
fcials, quoted them (Acts 19:35-4D I,
The Ephesians were just like.
many in our day who fear mar
more than God. But, may we ask !
if you fear the judgment of men, how
think you to escape the judgmen1'
Of God? After all. it is God ami
His Word you oppose. unconverted
friend. Do you think He will hold
you guiltless?
Paul was not afraid ". 300, for
ne had also learned that the servant
Of the Lord can
II. Count on God-He Will Deliver
iEph. 6:13-18).
Writing to the church in this very
city where the Lord opened "a great
door and effectual' for Paul q Cor.
1870, he admonishes them and US
70 make full use of the provision
which God has made for victorious
warfare.
. There is a complete armor, and a
mighty weapon, the sword Of the
Spirit. but none will do us the slight
est good unless we put it on and 60
Unto battle. If we think we can do
without the breastplate Of righteous
aes (and some Christians and
church workers seem to think they
can), or neglect to carry and use
he shield Of faith, we can only ex-
pect defeat. We fight great spiritu-
al enemies (see w. II, IL Of this
chapter) and we need the best in
both offensive and defensive equip
ment.
The girdle of truth binds up the
warrior and eliminates the hin
ORANGES to rapid movement. The
breastplate is righteousness, not his
own but Christ's, but it must be
appropriated and used.
The soldier must be well shod fol
the long rough journeys and to Civ,
him a good foothold in the day o.
battle. Peace in the heart provide !
such a firm vantage point in the fgh
for God.
Faith is the quickly moved shield.
catching all the fiery darts. Here
again it is not my faith or yours
alone, but our faith in God, put
ting him between US and our enc
mics.
The sword Of the Spirit. which is
the Word Of God, is u all-powerfuI
weapon. Let US not neglect to use iii
We are SO prone to talk about tn J
Bible, to defend it. to argue for itsi
truths. Talking about a sword does
not make it effective. Let's really
use it.
Prayer is always to be counted Oh
and it is both a defensive and Of
fensive weapon. 1t keeps US i,
touch with the Captain of the Lord'sl
hosts. We call for help, get orders,
and transmit news Of victory
through PRAYER. [
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