Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 1. To turning the back as a coward. 2. To breaking, as a disorderly soldier. 3. To rash impetuosity. 4. To an indolent lying down.Girt about. Warriors had broad girdles, in which plates of iron, brass, or silver, were put for defence. "With truth." I. Of doctrine. II. Of sincerity. I. Show how the doctrines of truth strengthen the minds of believers against their enemies. 1. Sin is the worst of evils. This doctrine in the heart has led men - To abstain from the most alluring pleasures. Joseph. To refuse the greatest honours. Moses. To face the greatest dangers. The martyrs. To give up the most profitable pursuits. Zaccheus. To submit to the greatest trials (Micah 7:8, 9). 2. Justification is freely by grace, through the redemption of Christ. 3. Christ has conquered all the enemies of His people. 4. God has promised to be with His people in, to carry them through all their trials, and to make them more than conquerors. 5. There is a state of eternal rest, happiness, and glory, prepared for God's elect. II. Show how the truth of sincerity strengthens the mind against enemies. As to our mistakes in life. "I did wrong, but not designedly." As to our hypocrisy. "I have hypocrisy, but I hate it." As to our love of Christ, though we have sinned against Him. "Thou knowest that I love Thee." As to the slanders of our enemies. "I bless God they are not true." Remarks: 1. God's true doctrines are not indifferent, or merely speculative. Is it indifferent? Is it speculation, whether so and so? 2. An hypocritical formalist is the mere carcase of a Christian. 3. The benefit of hearing, like that of eating, is to be seen in our respective callings. (H. J. Foster.) Parallel Verses KJV: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; |
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