Whole Armor of God

We are in a very real war. God tells us about it and how to fight in this war.

What power makes war upon the remnant church, prior to the second advent?
"And the dragon [Satan, Rev. 12:9] was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. 12:17.

What reward is promised to the overcomer?
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." Rev. 2:7, 17, 26 (Rev. 3:5, 21).

Through whom are we able to conquer?
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." Rom. 8:37.

Who was the invisible leader of the army of Israel?

"Behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand; and
Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come." Joshua 5:13, 14 (1 Cor. 10:1-4).

With what weapons is the Christian warfare conducted?
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." 2 Cor. 10:4.

What are these weapons able to conquer?
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:5.

What are we to put on?
"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil." Eph. 6:11.

What is included in the "wiles of the Devil" that one has to meet?
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Eph. 6:12.

What are the first essentials of the needed armor?
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness." Eph. 6:14.

What is the truth with which one's loins are to be girded?
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.." John 17:17.

What is meant by having the loins girded?
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind." 1 Peter 1:13.

What is the "righteousness" of which the breastplate is composed?
"My tongue shall speak of thy word; for all thy commandments are righteousness." Ps. 119:172.

With what are the feet to be shod?
"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." Eph. 6:15 (James 3:18).

What piece of armor is next mentioned as necessary?
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Eph. 6:16 (1 John 5:4) (Heb. 11:6).

What is the last and crowning piece of armor to be put on?
"And take the helmet of salvation." Eph. 6:17.

What sword is to be used by the soldier of Christ?
"The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Eph.6:17.

Will there be those in the remnant church who will risk their lives in the contest
against the enemy?
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Rev. 12:11.

Will this commandment keeping company be victorious under Christ, their leader?
"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." Rev. 15:2.

My prayer is that we will put on the whole armor of God. A good soldier keeps his armor in the very best shape possible, He checks it daily. He does this so often it becomes a habit. May we check our armor in this way, may we fortify our "armor of God" and may this become a natural habit for us too.

How to know you are accepted by God

Ever wonder if you are accepted by God?

God wants you to know.

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:12

Who are accepted of God?
"But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." Acts 10:35.
"If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." Genesis 4:7.

Since by nature man cannot "work righteousness," the carnal mind being "enmity
against God" (Rom. 8:7), what transformation is necessary?
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Peter 1:23.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17.

By what agency is the new birth produced?
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John
3:6.
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63.
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:9.

How precious is forgiveness to the burdened soul at conversion! Is this rich boon
conferred as a thing that is due, or as a pure act of grace or unmerited favor?
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Ephesians 1:7.
"I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants." Luke 15:18,19.

What relation exists between God and believers?
"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." 2 Corinthians 6:16.
"And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:18."

Can such relation exist and one not be conscious of it?
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." John
14:17.
"Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit." 1 John 4:13.

What does the knowledge of our acceptance with God bring?
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ." Romans 5:1.

Of what nature is the peace of the believer?
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27.

Will those who have this peace be free from tribulation?
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.

What will be one of the delights of the converted man?
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man." Romans 7:22.
"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he
meditate day and night." Psalms 1:2.

How may true believers be identified?
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which
is in heaven." Matthew 7:20,21.

What is the fruit of the Spirit?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22,23.

Can one bear this fruit of himself?
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." John 15:4.

What was the experience of the two disciples who talked with Jesus on the way to
Emmaus?
"And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" Luke 24:32.

What blessed experience may all have?
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20.
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7.

Thank you God for this assurance you give us.