The Word of Truth by The Power of GOD!

"...by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left." -II Corinthians 6:7 [KJV]

What sign shewest Thou? Shew us a miracle, and we will believe You are inspired, says an evil and adulterous generation. A sign and a miracle! Why, every regenerate soul is both a sign and a wonder to carnal men. They are born from above—They live above—their views, end, and aims are to things above. They study to approve themselves to God, Who is above. These words, though peculiarly applicable to the ministers of Christ, yet are true also of every disciple of Christ. He studies to approve himself, 

(1st.) by the word of truth. What is that? Where is that to be found? God’s book, the Bible. O the Bible! Say some weak heads, and deceived hearts, the letter of scripture is not God’s word. Find a surer testimony of God, and from God, if you can. We will be content to fix our faith upon this word of truth, for it testifies of our Beloved, Who is the truth. He therefore bids us “search the scriptures;” and we find them lively oracles to our souls. As we find Christ in the word of truth, we live upon Him according to the word of truth, and desire to frame our whole conduct by the word of truth. Its doctrines we submit to—its threatenings we fear—its precepts we obey. 

(2d.) “By the power of God.” That accompanies the word of truth to our hearts—causes it to be believed in our hearts—brings joy and peace to our hearts in believing the word—and fills our souls with a hope full of immortality, promised in the word—it is reserved for us, and we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, according to the word (I Peter 1:5.) 

(3d.) “By the armour of righteousness, on the right hand and on the left.” What is this? Not a fancied righteousness of our own; that is at best but filthy rags; a wretched armour, either on the right hand or left. None but fools would appear in such an armour. Those who do are the sport of fools, and contempt of devils. Not an inherent righteousness which some talk of. What is within, cannot be an armour for without, on either hand. This righteousness has never fulfilled the law of God, therefore cannot defend from the face of enemies. But the perfect, spotless righteousness of the Son of God has: therefore, that can defend from every assault, and every accusation, from every quarter, on either side. 

This is the cry of faith—this, the armour of the soul, “...that I may be found in Christ, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is having the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:9.) Take the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, in one hand, and the shield of faith, the righteousness of the Son of God in the other, and what shall stand against you? 

 

All my trust on Christ is stay’d, 

All my help from Him I bring, 

Cover my defenceless head, 

With the shadow of Thy wing.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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