Charles Wesley, 1707–1788
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:10, 11)
Followers of Christ are also His soldiers—called to do battle with the forces of Satan and evil. Victories are never won while resting in the barracks. God’s soldiers must always be alert and dressed in full armor. That armor includes six important pieces: (Ephesians 6:10–20)
- The belt of truth (warriors with absolute integrity).
- The breastplate of righteousness (people must see our good works).
- Sandals of peace (though soldiers, we are called to be peacemakers).
- Shield of faith (for extinguishing all of Satan’s doubts and fears).
- Helmet of salvation (one of Satan’s chief attacks is the mind).
- Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God (our only offensive weapon).
In addition to wearing armor, the Christian soldier is to face every occasion with prayer and to remember the fellow saints in prayer (v. 18). Ultimately, however, the battle is not ours but God’s (2 Chronicles 20:15). He knows the battle plan. Our responsibility is only to be active and obedient in the small duty wherever He has placed us on the battlefield.
Charles Wesley knew much about the Christian life as warfare. Many times both John and Charles were physically abused for their evangelical ministries. This text was first published in 1749 and was titled “The Whole Armor of God—Ephesians VI.” The hymn has often been referred to as “the Christian’s bugle blast” for its strong call to arms.
Soldiers of Christ, arise and put your armor on, strong in the strength which God supplies thru His eternal Son; strong in the Lord of hosts and in His mighty pow’r: Who in the strength of Jesus trusts is more than conqueror.
Stand then in His great might, with all His strength endued, and take, to arm you for the fight, the panoply of God; that having all things done, and all your conflicts past, ye may o’ercome thru Christ alone and stand entire at last.
Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul; take ev’ry virtue, ev’ry grace, and fortify the whole. From strength to strength go on; Wrestle and fight and pray; tread all the pow’rs of darkness down and win the well-fought day.
Reflect on the words of Maltbie D. Babcock—“We are not here to play, to dream, to drift; we have hard work to do, and loads to lift. Shun not the struggle; face it—’tis God’s gift.” Go forth in your full armor and in the power of His might. Carry this musical encouragement with you—
For Today: 1 Corinthians 15:57, 58; Ephesians 6:10–20; Philippians 1:27–30; 1 Timothy 6:12
Osbeck, K. W.
- But thanks be unto God, which hath given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved bretren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, abundant always in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
- Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the assaults of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly governors, the princes of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, which are in te high places. For this caue take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to resist in the evil day, and having finished all things, stand fast. Stand therefore, and your loins girded about with verity, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. Above all, take the shield of Faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, And take the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray always with all manner prayer and suppliction in the spirit: and watch thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints, And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to publish the secret of the Gospel, Whereof I am the ambassador in bonds, that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10–20
- Only let your converation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your matters, that ye continue in one spirit, and in one mind, fighting together through the faith of the Gospel. And in nothing fear your adversaries, which is to them a token of perdition, and to you of salvation, and that of God. For unt you it is given for Christ, that not only ye should believe in him, but also suffer for his sake, Having the same fight, which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. Philippians 1:27–30
- Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold of eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12
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