“Let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breast-plate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” ―1 Thessalonians 5:8.
UNLESS we distinguish carefully between salvation by pure grace and service, or discipleship, for which a sure reward is promised, we are likely to become confused when considering such a passage as this. We are not called to fight our way to heaven. But as already bound for that blessed country, we are called to be soldiers in our Lord’s army, contending against every unholy thing that would impede our progress or bring dishonor upon our Saviour’s name. For all such service we shall be rewarded “in that day,” that is, when we stand at the judgment-seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10).
“The fight is on, O Christian soldier,
And face to face in stern array,
With armor gleaming, and colors streaming,
The right and wrong engage today!
The fight is on, but be not weary:
Be strong, and in His might hold fast;
If God be for us, His banner o’er us,
We’ll sing the victor’s song at last!”
—Mrs. C. H. Morris.