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The Christian Warfare

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 21, 1863

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 22, No. 8.

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The Christian Warfare.

By A. Barnes

ALL Christians are engaged in a warfare. They are at war with sin in their own hearts, and with sin wherever it exists on earth, and with the powers of darkness. With foes so numerous and so vigilant, they should not expect to live a life of ease or quietness. Peace, perfect peace, they may expect in heaven, not on earth. Here they are to fight the good fight of faith. It has been the common lot of all the children of God to maintain such a war, and shall we expect to be exempt?
The weapons of the Christian are not to be carnal, but spiritual. He is not to make his way by the exhibition of human passion. Truth is his weapon; and, armed with truth, and aided by the Spirit of God, he is to expect the victory. In his warfare the Christian shall conquer. Against the truth of Christianity nothing has been able to stand. It made its way against the arrayed opposition of priests and emperors; against customs and laws; against inveterate habits and opinions; against all forms of sin, until it triumphed, and “the banners of the faith floated from the palaces of the Cæsars.” So it is in the conflicts of the individual Christian. He may struggle long and hard. He may have many foes to contend with. But he shall gain the victory. His triumph shall be secure: and he shall yet be enabled to say, “I have fought a good fight—henceforth there is laid up for me a crown.”
“The saints in all this glorious war Shall conquer, though they die; They see the triumph from afar, And seize it with their eye.”
Yet all should feel their dependence on God. It is only through Him and by His aid that we have any power. Truth in itself has no power except as it is attended and directed by God; and we should engage in our conflict, feeling that none but God can give us the victory. Not of our talents, wealth, learning, or accomplishments let us glory. But let us glory that we have such a God as JEHOVAH. Let us glory that we have such a Redeemer as Jesus Christ. Let us glory that we have such a Sanctifier as the Holy Spirit.—A. Barnes.