September 20, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
THE SHIELD OF GENUINE FAITH
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked [Satan].”
Eph. 6:16, KJV.
“Satan watches his opportunity to seize the precious graces when we are unguarded, and we shall have a severe conflict with the powers of darkness to RETAIN them, or to REGAIN a heavenly grace, If through lack of watchfulness, we lose it.
“But it is the privilege of [genuine] Christians to OBTAIN strength from God to hold every precious gift. Fervent and effectual prayer will be regarded in heaven. When the servants of Christ take the shield of faith for their defense, and the sword of the Spirit for war, there is danger in the ENEMY’S camp!
“Amidst the snares [of Satan] to which ALL are exposed, they need strong and trustworthy defenses on which to rely. Many in this corrupt age have so small a supply of the GRACE of God, that in MANY instances their defense is broken down by the FIRST assault, and fierce temptations take them captives
“The shield of grace can preserve all UNCONQUERED by the temptations of the enemy, though surrounded with the most corrupting influences [Consider Joseph, Daniel and his 3 young friends, etc.].
“By firm principle and unwavering trust in God, their virtue and nobleness of character can shine, and, although surrounded with evil, NO TAINT need be left upon their virtue and integrity.
“The work of conquering evil is to be done through faith. Those who go into the BATTLEFIELD will find that they must PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. The shield of faith will be their defense and will enable them to be ‘more than conquerors.’
“Nothing else will avail but this—-FAITH in the Lord of hosts, and OBEDIENCE to His orders. Vast armies furnished with every other facility will avail nothing in the last great conflict. Without faith, and angel host could not help. Living faith alone will make them INVINCIBLE and enable them to stand in the evil day, steadfast, unmovable, ‘holding the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end.’” E. G. White, God’s Amazing Grace, p.33.
Let us be doubly sure that the faith we claim to possess in these closing hours of earth’s probation is not presumption—the massively-popular counterfeit of Bible faith, the faith of Abraham and the commandment-keeling saints of the last days. God bless all, NMF