October 30, 2023
[The Christian] must prepare the more for suffering, because he is so well furnished with armour to bear it. Armour is not given for men to wear by the fireside at home, but in the field. How shall the maker be praised, if the metal of his arms be not known? And where shall it be put to the proof, but amidst swords and bullets? He that desires to live all his days in an isle of providence, where the whole year is summer, will never make a good Christian. Resolve for hardship, or lay down thine arms.
William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour
---
Does the Christian life feel like a struggle to you? Here’s how Jesus described it:
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27)
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39)
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)
If you don’t feel any adversity or warfare in your walk with Christ, I would encourage you to spend more time on your knees in prayer, as the Lord likely has a lot to tell you.
Following Jesus is about dying to yourself – fighting your own corruption and sinful nature, which is constantly being agitated by the enemy. God gives us armour to fight this battle every single day.
When I go golfing, I put on a nice polo and my golf shoes and head to the course. If I’m going to hunt, I put on camouflage and blaze orange, grab my rifle, and go to my tree stand. These outfits serve a purpose, but I don’t wear them all the time. I come home and change back into my regular clothes, putting away the others until the next outing.
This is how I see many professing believers. They put on their religion on Sunday, go to church and play the part, then come home and change back to their normal life until next Sunday.
As faithful followers of Christ, we are never to lay down our arms or take off our armour. But these have a greater purpose than fashion; they are to be used every day in warfare. If you have your armour on, but you’re not on the battlefield, you’re out of place, like wearing your golf shoes to church.
Resolve for hardship, or lay down thine arms!